This July, FACETS is as active as ever as we head on the road towards the 39th annual Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, running November 4-20, 2022 and continue screening the best new independent and international films in our cinema. To celebrate the greatness that is Chicago in the summer, we asked the FACETS staff what some of their favorite films with connections to Chicago are. Whether it’s directed by a filmmaker from the Chicago area or shot/set here, we offer this curated list from our staff with a little bit about why it stands among their favorites of the

Today, video essays mark one of the most abundant and accessible mediums of film analysis. Look up your favorite movie title on Youtube, and you’re bound to find at least one or two videos delving deep into the development, history, or artistic content of each film. Combining captivating visuals and illuminating argumentation and analysis from the essayists themselves, video essays are a powerful opportunity for anyone to share their thoughts on a film all while showcasing their own cinematic flourish through their direction and editing of the video essay. And for consumers of video essays, these videos teach us even