Chicago Film and Media Summit to offer panels, networking and short films Sunday, October 20 at Chicago Cultural Center

Chicago, Il, 2013-10-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) are pleased to announce that award-winning producer/writer Dick Wolf will be the keynote speaker during the inaugural Chicago Film and Media Summit. One of the television industry’s most successful and respected creators/producers of crime dramas, he is the man behind the “Law & Order” franchise as well as the current network series, “Chicago Fire,” which is filmed entirely in Chicago. Wolf will share his keynote address with registered attendees only. The Chicago Film and Media Summit, a new conference for the film industry, is October 20 at the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St.).

“We’re thrilled to welcome Dick Wolf to the first Chicago Film and Media Summit,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “In the past two years, he has certainly demonstrated his support of Chicago’s local film, television and media industry – and given his illustrious career, I’m certain that he will have many intriguing insights to share with our filmmaking community.”

Wolf has been a creative force in television for nearly three decades, beginning as a top advertising executive and continuing as a writer/producer for such series as “Hill Street Blues,” “Miami Vice” and “New York Undercover.” Among his feature film credits is the screenplay for “School Ties.”

He is a two-time Emmy® Award winner (Outstanding Drama Series for “Law & Order”), a Grammy® Award-winning producer and a New York Times best-selling author for his debut novel, “The Intercept.” Wolf’s “Law & Order” ran for 20 seasons, tying “Gunsmoke” as the longest-running drama on television and earning a record-tying 11 consecutive Outstanding Drama Series Emmy nominations.

In addition to “Chicago Fire,” Wolf is currently the Executive Producer of the new TNT reality series “Cold Justice” and “Chicago PD,” which debuts midseason and is also filmed in Chicago.

Additionally, film fans are invited to enjoy short films in Randolph Square (1st Floor North) as part of The Festival of Festivals. Films screened will be representative of the city’s many film festivals including the Black Harvest Film Festival, Chicago Comedy Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival, Chicago International Movies & Music Festival, Chicago International Social Change Film Festival, Chicago Underground Film Festival, IFP Chicago, The Irish Film Festival, Latino International Film Festival, Midwest Independent Film Festival, Polish Film Festival in America and Reeling: The Chicago LGBT International Film Festival. Admission to the short films is FREE, with no registration required.

The Summit, October 20, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., will focus on Chicago’s filmmaking and media arts community in an effort to nurture the ever-growing local culture. Chicago filmmakers expected to participate include actor Michael Shannon, producer Bob Teitel and director John McNaughton. The Summit is FREE but attendees must register in advance at chicagofilmandmediasummit.org.

Panels include The Producers Series programmed by IFP Chicago covering topics such as distribution and financing, and the Expo Panels covering subjects such as trailers and casting. The complete list and descriptions are available on the website.

The Summit will also feature an expo of industry professionals whose services are readily available for filmmakers in Chicago.

The Chicago Film and Media Summit is presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and co-organized by IFP Chicago and CIMMFest with the support of 2DS Productions, Beverly Ridge Pictures, Chicago Acting in Film Meetup Group, Chicago Film Office, Chicago Filmmakers, Chicago International Film Festival, Cinespace Film Studios Chicago, Filmworkers, Fletcher Chicago, Illinois Film Office, Kartemquin Films, Midwest Independent Film Festival and Ocean Pictures.

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Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is dedicated to enriching Chicago’s artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. This includes fostering the development of Chicago’s non-profit arts sector, independent working artists and for-profit arts businesses; providing a framework to guide the City’s future cultural and economic growth, via the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan; marketing the City’s cultural assets to a worldwide audience; and presenting high-quality, free and affordable cultural programs for residents and visitors.

Note to media: If you are interested in covering the Summit or the keynote address, please submit your request to Cindy Gatziolis at cgatziolis@cityofchicago.org by Thursday, October 17, no later than 5 p.m. CDT. Media requests for Mr. Wolf will be reviewed by his team, however time constraints may not allow interviews.

Cindy Gatziolis    312.744.0573 cgatziolis@cityofchicago.org

Mayor’s Press Office    312.744.3334 press@cityofchicago.org

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