The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures recently named Chicago film scholar Jacqueline Stewart as its chief artistic and programming officer, a widely celebrated move for the venerable institution.
“Jacqueline’s background as an educator, programmer, archivist, author, and scholar, along with her deep commitment to building strong community relations and showcasing diverse, inclusive, and accessible stories made her a perfect candidate for the position,” said Academy Museum director and president Bill Kramer, according to IndieWire.
Ms. Stewart will take a leave of absence from her current position as a film professor at the University of Chicago to take on the role at the Academy Museum.
“She is a scholar at the top of her field who always addresses herself both to the academy and to the public,” wrote Film Quarterly editor B. Ruby Rich in an email as reported by IndieWire.
It’s worth noting that in 2017, Ms. Stewart invited itsashort.com to create an evening of programming for the Black Cinema House at the historic Stony Island Arts Bank in Chicago. In July of that year, we curated a well-attended event that featured four short films and a panel discussion. It was an unforgettable experience that would not have been possible without Ms. Stewart’s touch.
We’re happy to know that the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures realizes what we at itsashort.com have known all along — that Jacqueline Stewart is a dynamo.
The Collected Voices Film Festival Blasts Off
Speaking of powerful women in film, we are once again elated to be partnering with Ife Olatunji and the Collected Voices Film Festival. Collected Voices launched its 2020 online film festival this month, which features long and short-form works from filmmakers from around the world. When we think of the films Collected Voices showcases, these descriptors come to mind: provocative, imaginative, and aesthetically pleasing.
This season, the 6th for Collected Voices, is no different. The festival culminates with a Halloween Awards Night event, which takes place on — you guessed it — Saturday, October 31st at 4 p.m. CST.
You can take part in the Collected Voices fest by purchasing a festival pass, which entitles you to unlimited online viewings of the selected films and a ticket to the Halloween Awards Night. To purchase your festival pass, go to itsashort.com.
The FirstGlance Film Festival Opens in November
We told you about the FirstGlance Film Festival before, but we’re shouting it from the rooftops again. Because it is back! The FirstGlance Philly Film Fest, the longest-running short film festival in the world, is back with a slate of compelling works that run the gamut, from horror shorts that disentangle your insides to artful dramas that offer unusual perspectives on the human condition.
If you do not believe us, check out these FirstGlance Film Fest trailers here.
The FirstGlance Online Festival takes place from November 10-15 at itsashort.com. The in-person Festival will open at the Colonial Theatre just outside of Philadelphia from November 12-15. For in-person ticket and festival pass information, please visit the Colonial Theatre site.
