ABOUT US
Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival is the second longest-running film festival of its kind, and prides itself on showcasing the best LGBTQ+ films and videos each year. From award-winning international feature films to social documentaries to experimental shorts, Reeling has always presented a range of genres that demonstrate the rich diversity of work being produced. Not only has Reeling become one of the most important cultural events for Chicagoans, it also attracts LGBTQ+ people from throughout the Midwest who consider the festival to be the highlight of their cinematic year.
MISSION
The mission of Reeling is to recognize the important artistic contributions that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender filmmakers have made to our culture; to educate the general population and sensitize them to lesbian, gay and transgender issues; to investigate the history of LGBTQ+ film, including the stereotyping that has been a major part of this history; and to counteract this stereotyping with valid, meaningful and diverse portrayals of those in the LGBTQ+ community.
The festival provides a unique opportunity for the celebration of these identities for a community too often misrepresented or ignored in mainstream film and television.
HISTORY
The first Chicago Lesbian & Gay International Film Festival took place in April 1981 in Chicago Filmmakers’ 90-seat folding-chair screening room on West Hubbard Street. The festival sold out nearly every screening, leaving audiences demanding more. The enthusiasm for the festival led to a commitment on the part of Chicago Filmmakers to continue the festival as an annual event, and it has been going strong ever since.
Accessibility Statement
Reeling celebrates identities and communities too often misrepresented or ignored in mainstream film and television, and that includes those with disabilities.
In 2022, Reeling partnered with Access Reframed, a team consisting of members of the disability and film community in Chicago, as part of their Empowering Action initiative. Our goal is to increase access to Reeling’s programs and events.
Reeling’s accessibility initiatives include staged implementation of closed/open captioning and audio description at select screenings online and in-person, clear orientation to the accessibility of our venues, and an extension of support to filmmakers with disabilities.
If you would like to learn more about accessibility at Reeling please visit our Accessibility page or contact us at reelingcustomerservice@gmail.com.
REELING STAFF & VOLUNTEERS
programming
Morgan Jon Fox — Features Programmer
Dan Pal — Documentary Features Programmer
Sharon Zurek — Shorts Programmer
Levi Sierra — QuE3R FrAm3s Series Co-Programmer
Patrick Friel — Program Coordinator & QuE3R FrAm3s Series Co-Programmer
management & operations
Brenda Webb — Executive Director & Reeling Founder
Leila Sherbini — Chicago Filmmakers Program Manager & Reeling Operations Manager
Alex Kogan, DKP — Digital Tech
Marketing & PR
M. Woods — Marketing & Partnerships Manager
Israel Wright — Ad Salesperson
Morgan Harris, Tom Elliott, Acacia Consulting Group — Publicist
2023 DESIGN Team For Reeling 41
Nadia Stiegman — Poster and Festival Art
Chicago Filmmakers Marketing Department — Design
Alea Rodriguez — Post-Production