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Chicago Short Film Brigade formed as an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in early 2006. Our Board of Directors (scroll down for bios): Xan Aranda, Andrew Bird, Aaron Wickenden, Jason Vassiliades, Vanessa Roanhorse, & Abby Factor.
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 selection of short films. Each quarterly screening is a carefully constructed, cohesive program representing all genres of international short film.
Annual Awards
Making a short film can be so blood & guts basic, often using scavenged cash and borrowed cameras. Sometimes people make short films on a much grander financial scale, going broke just to see their film take flight.
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. The Best of 2007 Audience Award winner received a $350 prize.
Our Mission
The 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:
Xan Aranda · Curator/Executive Director
In addition to her work with the Film Brigade, Xan is Associate Producer and Global Outreach Coordinator of the Kartemquin Films release MILKING THE RHINO, a feature-length documentary film exploring the complexities of community-based conservation in Africa. The film is slated for PBS broadcast in Spring 2009 via the Independent Lens series.
She has served on competition juries for the Chicago International Film Festival, Hugo Television Awards, and the Illinois Arts Council’s “Looking For Democracy” Short Film Contest. She has also produced various projects for singer-songwriter Andrew Bird, including music videos and live-show projections, and lectured at both the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Columbia College. .
Xan has worked in the film and commercial industries since 1998. A documentary about her personal connection to the Mormon film industry is currently in pre-production.
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 earning a BA in violin performance from Northwestern University, Andrew formed a five-piece band called Andrew Bird’s Bowl of Fire, which was influenced by gypsy, folk, pre-war jazz and swing music. With this band, Andrew recorded three albums released by Rykodisc, including THE SWIMMING HOUR in 2001.
In 2003, Andrew struck out on his own, moving to an old renovated barn in rural Illinois to live and work. There, he further developed the distinctive style unveiled in his first Righteous Babe Records release, WEATHER SYSTEMS. In 2005, THE MYSTERIOUS PRODUCTION OF EGGS was released to rave reviews.
Andrew’s most recent album, ARMCHAIR APOCRYPHA was released in 2007 by Fat Possum Records. He has toured in Australia, Europe, and the United States in addition to TV appearances on Late Night with David Letterman and the Conan O’Brien show.
Andrew describes his Brigade work as a healthy diversion from music– one that allows him to be part of something more community based.
Aaron Wickenden · Techmaster/Vice Director
Aaron began his career in still photography working at Arizona’s Center for Creative Photography, which led to internships with Richard Avedon and Annie Leibovitz. Upon completion of his BFA he directed the award-winning short film, IT HAPPENED IN THE BULLPEN.
Aaron’s interest in documentary film was sparked while working as an assistant on the PBS film WORST POSSIBLE ILLUSION: THE CURIOSITY CABINET OF VIK MUNIZ. Soon after, Aaron coordinated a grassroots publicity campaign for IFC/Next Wave Films’ documentary FIGHTER.
In 2002, Aaron joined up with Chicago’s Kartemquin Films, one of the nation’s oldest documentary companies, where he worked as post-production coordinator on the groundbreaking seven-hour PBS series, THE NEW AMERICANS. His work with producer/director/editor Steve James (HOOP DREAMS) has included stints as associate producer on View Askew’s REEL PARADISE and associate editor/post-supervisor for SenArt Films’ THE WAR TAPES.
Aaron recently Co-Edited and Co-Produced Steve James’ newest documentary for IFC Films, AT THE DEATH HOUSE DOOR. This autumn, he will shoot and edit a feature-narrative film directed by Arthur Jones and David Wilcox.
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. During that time, 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 addition to his volunteer work with the Brigade, Jason has worked with other non-profits such as Housing Opportunities for Women in Rodgers Park and the Chicago Committee of IOCC.
In the past, Jason has made short films including MOMENTARY INTERMISSIONS, which screened at the Soros Media Center in Sarajevo. He is currently starting the Brigade’s first international satellite to screen shorts in the Middle East.
Vanessa Roanhorse · Vice Curator/Project Manager
A graduate of the University of Arizona, Vanessa has freelanced as an editor for a variety of independent productions. She has also worked for local indie-agencies Mothlight Productions, Red Baron, and Threadbare Works.
Vanessa has worked as a community activist, freelance digital video editor (with San Diego Indie Media, among others), and as writer for the now-defunct underground publication WORD San Diego.
In addition to her volunteer work with the Brigade, she volunteers with the American Indian Center working with kids and media, and as curator’s assistant at Trickster - a Native-run gallery in Schaumburg.
In 2008, Vanessa will begin work on her documentary about Native American reservation straw-bale housing and the future of Native traditions.
FILM BRIGADE ADVISORY PANEL
Theaster Gates (Liaison, Experimental Station)
Director of Arts Programming, University of Chicago
Office of the Provost, Dept. of Visual Arts
Director, Yamaguchi Institute
Carole Snow (Board of Directors ‘07/’08)
Journalist, Chi Town Daily News
Fine Arts Communication, WBEZ/Chicago Architecture Foundation
Dan Rybicky (Derby Judge ‘07/’08)
Professor, Department of Film & Video, Columbia College
Screenwriter/Director
Liz Tapp (Board of Directors ‘07/’08)
Editor-in-Chief, Mule Magazine
Freelance, LizTappDesign
Graphic Design, Free Write Jail Arts
