Our Mission
Chicago Short Film Brigade is dedicated to encouraging active exhibition and appreciation of local and international short film. We believe the general public should be able to see first-rate short films in cozy, non-festival, non-academic environments where accessibility and community come first.
Board of Directors (scroll down for bios):
Xan Aranda, Andrew Bird, Jason Vassiliades, & Ryan Jewell
Film Brigade became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 2006
Screenings
There are plenty of ways to watch short films on the internet or an iPod. That sounds lonely! Join Film Brigade in a warm, social environment to enjoy short films with other humans. A comfy room, good company, hot popcorn and an uncommon curated selection of short films.
Annual Awards
Making a short film can be so blood & guts basic, often using scavenged cash and borrowed cameras. We salute the gumption and tenacity it takes to pursue this work. In support of the mini-masterpiece, a cash prize is given at our annual Best Of show at the Siskel Center.
Board of Directors:
Xan Aranda · Curator/Executive Director
Xan is a freelance director, producer, and writer affiliated for the past three years with acclaimed documentary company, Kartemquin Films (Hoop Dreams). Xan was the Associate Producer and Global Outreach Coordinator of their multi-award winning release Milking the Rhino, which aired on PBS in 2009 and continues to screen at festivals worldwide.
She is directing a her first feature documentary film titled Mormons Make Movies (in development with Kartemquin) as well as a feature-length concert film for singer-songwriter Andrew Bird to be released in 2010.
She has served on competition juries for the Chicago International Film Festival, Hugo Television Awards and Illinois Humanities Council. Xan is a frequently featured lecturer at both Columbia College and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She has worked in the film, music video, and commercial industries since 1994.
In her spare time, the lady prefers to swim in lakes and oceans or be in command of any form of paddle craft, including dragonboats and kayaks.
Andrew Bird · Consiglieri/Vice President
Andrew is an internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter from Chicago, known for his distinctive musical style and unparalleled live performances. After graduating from college he formed a band called Andrew Bird’s Bowl of Fire, with which he recorded three albums released by Rykodisc, including THE SWIMMING HOUR in 2001.
In 2003, Andrew further developed the distinctive style unveiled in his album, WEATHER SYSTEMS. Soonafter, THE MYSTERIOUS PRODUCTION OF EGGS and ARMCHAIR APOCRYPHA were released to rave reviews. His most recent record NOBLE BEAST came out earlier this year. He has toured worldwide in addition to TV appearances on Late Night with David Letterman and the Conan O’Brien show, among others.
Andrew describes his Brigade work as a healthy diversion from music– one that allows him to be part of something more community based.
Jason Vassiliades · NFP Wiz/Business Manager
A Chicago-area native, Jason is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, having received his MBA in Non-Profit and Public Management. He has an undergraduate degree from Miami of Ohio.
Jason has worked for over five years on international humanitarian projects first as a Peace Corps Volunteer, then as consultant for a major NGO in the Balkans. He consulted on projects in Uzbekistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Albania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Macedonia, Armenia and India. Projects included civil society development, youth media/art development, community development, micro-credit business development, and housing reconstruction.
Jason currently works in the United Arab Emirates on commercial property developments featuring contemporary designs and green technologies. In the past, Jason has made short films including MOMENTARY INTERMISSIONS, which screened at the Soros Media Center in Sarajevo.
Ryan Jewell · The Rock / Operations Manager
Ryan is the Executive Director of IFP/Chicago. Previously, he served as Managing Director of Cinema/Chicago (presenting organization of The Chicago International Film Festival) for two years where he handled all aspects of the organization’s business.
Prior to his position at Cinema/Chicago, Ryan worked with Magnolia Pictures/Landmark Theatres for five years and was responsible for the operations of three different theaters, working closely with a number of organizations in producing film festivals and various special events. He also was responsible for the publicity of numerous films in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area as part of his responsibilities at Landmark Theatres.
Ryan graduated with a degree in Music Business from Oklahoma State University and is a member of local rock band La Scala.
FILM BRIGADE ADVISORY PANEL
Theaster Gates (Derby Judge ‘07/’08)
Director of Arts Programming, University of Chicago Office of Provost, Dept. of Visual Arts
Director, Yamaguchi Institute
Dan Rybicky (Derby Judge ‘07/’08)
Professor, Department of Film & Video, Columbia College
Screenwriter/Director/Author
PAST BOARD MEMBERS
Aaron Wickenden (Board of Directors ‘06/’07/’08)
Freelance filmmaker, film editor, photographer, and soon-to-be author
Vanessa Roanhorse (Board of Directors ‘07/’08)
Producer, activist, filmmaker, ass-kicker
Liz Tapp (Board of Directors ‘07/’08)
Editor-in-Chief, Mule Magazine
Freelance, LizTappDesign
Graphic Design, Free Write Jail Arts
Abby Factor (Board of Directors ‘08)
Carole Snow (Board of Directors ‘07/’08)
Associate Producer, 137 Films
Video Specialist, Northwestern University Advanced Media Production Studio
