2019 (In)Justice For All Film Festival

OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION

Join us for the kick-off of our 6th totally FREE film festival. We'll serve light refreshments as we prepare for 10 days of films, fun, and inspiration. We look forward to seeing you there.

• TUCC - Montgomery Hall

OPENING NIGHT PROGRAM & FILM SCREENING

• Sanctuary

OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION

Join us for the kick-off of our 6th totally FREE film festival. We'll serve light refreshments as we prepare for 10 days of films, fun, and inspiration. We look forward to seeing you there.

• TUCC - Montgomery Hall

OPENING NIGHT PROGRAM & FILM SCREENING

• Sanctuary

SAY THAT! Spoken Word and Movie Night

Stony Island Arts Bank 6760 Stony Island Ave., Chicago Join us for an exciting evening of Spoken Word, featuring the best of Chicago’s poets and wordsmiths, combined with a powerful array of short films, all forcing us to reckon with the challenges of justice and race in our community and nation. Calls From Home | Director Julia Szromba I Was That Kid: Breaking the Cycle of Juvenile Crime |Director Manju Varghese Invisible Until Suspicious | from Free Spirit Media What Happened to DuJuan | Lucas Guilkey

• 2nd Floor

WE ARE WITNESSES: CHICAGO film screening

• Gallery

SAY THAT! Spoken Word and Movie Night

Stony Island Arts Bank 6760 Stony Island Ave., Chicago Join us for an exciting evening of Spoken Word, featuring the best of Chicago’s poets and wordsmiths, combined with a powerful array of short films, all forcing us to reckon with the challenges of justice and race in our community and nation. Calls From Home | Director Julia Szromba I Was That Kid: Breaking the Cycle of Juvenile Crime |Director Manju Varghese Invisible Until Suspicious | from Free Spirit Media What Happened to DuJuan | Lucas Guilkey

• 2nd Floor

WE ARE WITNESSES: CHICAGO film screening

• Gallery

MILLS PARK TOWER AND FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN CENTER present

Screening: The Chains on Edward Bailey and The Issue of Mr. O'Dell

• MPT - 1025 Pleasant

FOCUS ON REENTRY - SHORT FILMS

Benevolence | Director Joanne Hershfield Healing Trauma: Beyond Gangs and Prisons | Director Robert Greenwald Outside-Daniel Laurent | Director Jeffery Palmer The Chains of Edward Bailey | Director Alex Anderson   Reintegrating into the community is the challenge of every returning citizen. This series of films tells a variety of stories of women and men on their journeys back to society after years of incarceration.

• Wright Chapel

SOUTHSIDE PROJECTIONS presents

Two films from New York’s Pacific Street Films group look at state abuses of power in the criminal justice system. Examining the case of Martin Sostre, a black Puerto Rican bookstore owner in Buffalo, New York who was framed on drug possession charges in 1967 and sentenced to prison, Frame-Up! (Steven Fischler, Joel Sucher, & Howard Blatt, 1974) shows how the American justice system can be abused for purposes of political repression. Voices from Within (Steven Fischler & Joel Sucher, 1977, 20 min.) dramatizes the loneliness and desperation of long-term prisoners who are denied many of the benefits provided to short-term prisoners, and reveals the emotional damage done to them and their families by extended incarceration.

• 2nd Floor

AMERICA: WHO'S HOME IS IT?

• Wright Chapel

THE SWEETEST LAND film screening

The Sweetest Land | Director Jeffrey Teitler   After the gunshots, in urban America, trauma pagers will sound, mothers will scream and the lives of too many that matter will forever change. Yet according to evidence, much of this was entirely preventable. Beyond the bloodshed and bullets, every year brings a new chance to save lives, advance youth and improve a community.  There are political speeches, millions spent and community promises made. But when the soundbites fade and the violence continues, who actually shows up?  As seen through the midnight surgeons, the victims of violence, the beat cops, and prevention organizations, The Sweetest Land investigates the real story of violence, prevention, and politics, where complacency can no longer be an option. Lives can matter.   Following the film we will hold a panel discussion exploring what is working to reduce violence in our neighborhoods, and gathering ideas from our audience.

• Wright Chapel

FOCUS ON REENTRY - SHORT FILMS

Benevolence | Director Joanne Hershfield Healing Trauma: Beyond Gangs and Prisons | Director Robert Greenwald Outside-Daniel Laurent | Director Jeffery Palmer The Chains of Edward Bailey | Director Alex Anderson   Reintegrating into the community is the challenge of every returning citizen. This series of films tells a variety of stories of women and men on their journeys back to society after years of incarceration.

• Wright Chapel

AMERICA: WHO'S HOME IS IT?

• Wright Chapel

THE SWEETEST LAND film screening

The Sweetest Land | Director Jeffrey Teitler   After the gunshots, in urban America, trauma pagers will sound, mothers will scream and the lives of too many that matter will forever change. Yet according to evidence, much of this was entirely preventable. Beyond the bloodshed and bullets, every year brings a new chance to save lives, advance youth and improve a community.  There are political speeches, millions spent and community promises made. But when the soundbites fade and the violence continues, who actually shows up?  As seen through the midnight surgeons, the victims of violence, the beat cops, and prevention organizations, The Sweetest Land investigates the real story of violence, prevention, and politics, where complacency can no longer be an option. Lives can matter.   Following the film we will hold a panel discussion exploring what is working to reduce violence in our neighborhoods, and gathering ideas from our audience.

• Wright Chapel

MILLS PARK TOWER AND FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN CENTER present

Screening: The Chains on Edward Bailey and The Issue of Mr. O'Dell

• MPT - 1025 Pleasant

SOUTHSIDE PROJECTIONS presents

Two films from New York’s Pacific Street Films group look at state abuses of power in the criminal justice system. Examining the case of Martin Sostre, a black Puerto Rican bookstore owner in Buffalo, New York who was framed on drug possession charges in 1967 and sentenced to prison, Frame-Up! (Steven Fischler, Joel Sucher, & Howard Blatt, 1974) shows how the American justice system can be abused for purposes of political repression. Voices from Within (Steven Fischler & Joel Sucher, 1977, 20 min.) dramatizes the loneliness and desperation of long-term prisoners who are denied many of the benefits provided to short-term prisoners, and reveals the emotional damage done to them and their families by extended incarceration.

• 2nd Floor

First Lady Monica Moss and Trinity UCC Task Force, Tamar's Wings present HONEY BEE

• Sanctuary

First Lady Monica Moss and Trinity UCC Task Force, Tamar's Wings present HONEY BEE

• Sanctuary

STATEVILLE CALLING

Stateville Calling| Director Ben Kolak   Fourth Presbyterian Church - Chapel 126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago Elderly prisoners cost taxpayers billions and are the least likely to reoffend – which is why senior citizen activist Bill Ryan, who already helped to end the death penalty in Illinois, wants to set them free. Our panel, following the film, includes Bill Ryan, and Katrina Burlet. Both Katrina and Bill are featured in the film. Also, Jennifer Soble of the Illinois Prison Project and Maya Szilak, Research and Policy Counsel and former Director of Prison Monitoring at John Howard Association.

• Chapel

STATEVILLE CALLING

Stateville Calling| Director Ben Kolak   Fourth Presbyterian Church - Chapel 126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago Elderly prisoners cost taxpayers billions and are the least likely to reoffend – which is why senior citizen activist Bill Ryan, who already helped to end the death penalty in Illinois, wants to set them free. Our panel, following the film, includes Bill Ryan, and Katrina Burlet. Both Katrina and Bill are featured in the film. Also, Jennifer Soble of the Illinois Prison Project and Maya Szilak, Research and Policy Counsel and former Director of Prison Monitoring at John Howard Association.

• Chapel

THE ISIS TRIAL

• Screening Room 502

THE ISIS TRIAL

• Screening Room 502

AUSTIN TOWN HALL presents

Join us for three powerful films that speak to the power of the human spirit, even in the face of an unjust "justice" system. We will be screening: What Happened to DuJuan Armstrong, Dying Out Loud and Healing Trauma.

• Austin Town Hall

WHERE THERE IS DARKNESS

Where There Is Darkness | Directors Sean Bloomfield & Cimela Kidonakis Having devoted his life to helping the less fortunate, Fr. Rene Robert was regarded as a "living saint" in the tight-knit community of St. Augustine, Florida. But when Fr. Rene began helping ex-convicts get their lives together after prison, the people closest to him worried that he was putting his life at risk—especially the local sheriff, David Shoar. So, in April, 2016, when Fr. Rene failed to show up at a church service, Sheriff Shoar immediately put his best detectives on the case and local residents joined in searching for the beloved priest. It quickly became apparent, however, that Fr. Rene was not just missing—someone had taken him against his will. This true-crime documentary follows the nationwide search for Fr. Rene, which resulted in a series of shocking revelations and the discovery of a 20-year-old letter in which Fr. Rene seemed to foretell his own fate. 

• Screening Room 502

BLACK LAW STUDENT ASSOCIATION OF NORTHWESTERN present

BLSA of Northwestern Law School will be screening "Jail or Yale" and holding a group conversation immediately following.

• Faculty Lounge

MTS presents - Healing Trauma: Beyond Gangs and Prisons

Brave New Films’ short documentary Healing Trauma: Beyond Gangs and Prisons dives into the inner struggle of former gang members whose abusive childhoods inevitably led to an anger that resulted in a criminal lifestyle and landed them in prison. Upon their release, these former gang members found their redemption with Homeboy Industries, Father Greg Boyle, and the many re-integrating programs offered through the Los Angeles-based organization. Healing Trauma: Beyond Gangs and Prisons follows the transformative stories of some of these former gang members as they share their childhood mental and physical abuse, growing up in the gang lifestyle, and the hope they now have through the healing power of therapy. Sentencing justice means addressing the underlying systems that have created mass incarceration. The need for sentencing justice highlights each personal story in the film; it’s a vital need so that the cycle of recidivism can finally stop.

WHERE THERE IS DARKNESS

Where There Is Darkness | Directors Sean Bloomfield & Cimela Kidonakis Having devoted his life to helping the less fortunate, Fr. Rene Robert was regarded as a "living saint" in the tight-knit community of St. Augustine, Florida. But when Fr. Rene began helping ex-convicts get their lives together after prison, the people closest to him worried that he was putting his life at risk—especially the local sheriff, David Shoar. So, in April, 2016, when Fr. Rene failed to show up at a church service, Sheriff Shoar immediately put his best detectives on the case and local residents joined in searching for the beloved priest. It quickly became apparent, however, that Fr. Rene was not just missing—someone had taken him against his will. This true-crime documentary follows the nationwide search for Fr. Rene, which resulted in a series of shocking revelations and the discovery of a 20-year-old letter in which Fr. Rene seemed to foretell his own fate. 

• Screening Room 502

AUSTIN TOWN HALL presents

Join us for three powerful films that speak to the power of the human spirit, even in the face of an unjust "justice" system. We will be screening: What Happened to DuJuan Armstrong, Dying Out Loud and Healing Trauma.

• Austin Town Hall

BLACK LAW STUDENT ASSOCIATION OF NORTHWESTERN present

BLSA of Northwestern Law School will be screening "Jail or Yale" and holding a group conversation immediately following.

• Faculty Lounge

CELEBRATION OF CABRINI GREEN LEGAL AID AND CHICAGO LEGAL ADVOCACY FOR INCARCERATED MOTHERS

SURVIVOR: 98 SECOND STORIES | Director Elizabeth Tobias DYING OUT LOUD | Director Jake J. Smith   Always a highlight of our film festival, our night at South Shore Cultural Center this year celebrates Chicago justice icon Cabrini Green Legal Aid and Chicago Legal Advocacy for Incarcerated Mothers Survivor! Join us as we recognize the incredible work they have done on behalf of some of our most vulnerable citizens. We will start with a reception with refreshments, formerly recognize CGLS/CLAIM, show two exciting films, and end the evening with a panel conversation on the issues that arise from the films. You want to be in the number this evening!

• SSCC

CELEBRATION OF CABRINI GREEN LEGAL AID AND CHICAGO LEGAL ADVOCACY FOR INCARCERATED MOTHERS

SURVIVOR: 98 SECOND STORIES | Director Elizabeth Tobias DYING OUT LOUD | Director Jake J. Smith   Always a highlight of our film festival, our night at South Shore Cultural Center this year celebrates Chicago justice icon Cabrini Green Legal Aid and Chicago Legal Advocacy for Incarcerated Mothers Survivor! Join us as we recognize the incredible work they have done on behalf of some of our most vulnerable citizens. We will start with a reception with refreshments, formerly recognize CGLS/CLAIM, show two exciting films, and end the evening with a panel conversation on the issues that arise from the films. You want to be in the number this evening!

• SSCC

WHERE JUSTICE ENDS

• Chapel

EUCLID AVENUE UMC presents

Euclid Avenue will be screening: Healing Trauma, Jail or Yale, Invisible Until Suspicious, and Mni Waconi: Water is Life.

• Euclid Ave. UMC

WHERE JUSTICE ENDS

• Chapel

EUCLID AVENUE UMC presents

Euclid Avenue will be screening: Healing Trauma, Jail or Yale, Invisible Until Suspicious, and Mni Waconi: Water is Life.

• Euclid Ave. UMC

JURY EDUCATION FORUM

Join us in an educational forum on how jury selection works in Cook County and the importance of participating when you are called for jury duty.

• Atrium

COLOR MATTERS – SHORT FILM SERIES

THE COLOR OF SKIN | Director Jessica Scott RONDO: BEYOND THE PAVEMENT | High School for Recording Arts, St. Paul, MN JAIL OR YALE: YOUNG, BLACK, AND OUT FO OPTIONS? | Director Christopher Spence   This short film series delves into the issue of race, and how it shapes lives in America.

• Atrium

POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY AND COMMUNITY VIOLENCE SHORT FILM SERIES

Embers | Director Prakshi Malik Protect and Serve | Director Kate Jopson The Voicemail | Director Kyle Solomon Heart of Gold | Director Ella Krings The Issue of Mr. O'Dell | Rami Katz The Last Day of School | Clara Davies Trouble Finds You | Stephanie A Tangkilisan NYPD’s Gang Database | Director Sriyanka Ray Victim Witness | Emmett Soldati This short film series provides a broad perspective on the issues of police accountability and community violence. We will include an intermission so we can break for snacks, etc.

• Wright Chapel

CLOSING NIGHT/AWARDS PROGRAM

Please join us as we share the 2019 (In)Justice For All Film Festival Awards, including the Fan Favorite. We will have a short program, present awards, and you’ll have one last chance to see the best of the festival.

• Sanctuary

JURY EDUCATION FORUM

Join us in an educational forum on how jury selection works in Cook County and the importance of participating when you are called for jury duty.

• Atrium

COLOR MATTERS – SHORT FILM SERIES

THE COLOR OF SKIN | Director Jessica Scott RONDO: BEYOND THE PAVEMENT | High School for Recording Arts, St. Paul, MN JAIL OR YALE: YOUNG, BLACK, AND OUT FO OPTIONS? | Director Christopher Spence   This short film series delves into the issue of race, and how it shapes lives in America.

• Atrium

POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY AND COMMUNITY VIOLENCE SHORT FILM SERIES

Embers | Director Prakshi Malik Protect and Serve | Director Kate Jopson The Voicemail | Director Kyle Solomon Heart of Gold | Director Ella Krings The Issue of Mr. O'Dell | Rami Katz The Last Day of School | Clara Davies Trouble Finds You | Stephanie A Tangkilisan NYPD’s Gang Database | Director Sriyanka Ray Victim Witness | Emmett Soldati This short film series provides a broad perspective on the issues of police accountability and community violence. We will include an intermission so we can break for snacks, etc.

• Wright Chapel

CLOSING NIGHT/AWARDS PROGRAM

Please join us as we share the 2019 (In)Justice For All Film Festival Awards, including the Fan Favorite. We will have a short program, present awards, and you’ll have one last chance to see the best of the festival.

• Sanctuary