Keeping with tradition, it’s time to begin the great screening and writing nights and days for the 48th Chicago International Film Festival. Last year proved difficult at times, mainly because after a day of working, I had a night of watching and writing, but overall was greatly rewarding. Aside from seeing films in advanced, your write-ups are what people use to make their movie watching decisions. Plus last year, a few of the directors offered their gratitude for spot-on summaries. It’s a great networking tool to say the least.
I’ve screened three thus far and have yet to be disappointed. A lot of previous festival winners (Cannes, Sundance), which I think patrons of Chicago will greatly enjoy. So very confident the fest this year will be just as fantastic as last year. Schedules will hit stands later in September with the Festival running from October 11-25.
Life has been pretty insane lately, which is why I think I’m completely blindsided that tomorrow is September 1. And that Summer Fridays end this week. As well as Summer Hours. Hell, Summer! Sigh.
After a pretty intense 2 Werk Weeks, I feel like I’m finally coming back up for air after swimming defiantly in a changing current. And it feels good. Because not only do I feel like I had a major accomplishment to tuck in my pocket, but I got to know some of the MDub team that I never really work with it. And since these weeks were filled with late nights and changing ideas, I learned to lean on them when I needed it.
Really, all of my co-workers. Everyone in the office knows how important this pitch was and really rallied to help me stay sunny throughout the process. Whether it was Jon sending musical inspirations for the day to help keep me from going postal (his best is below), or Sarah making sure we bike, pilates and zumba on a Saturday morning, I realized how blessed I truly am. And how I wouldn’t trade this place for anything (except maybe a TV show, movie and book deal, but they’d have to be rolled into all three).
And funny that this realization of how amazing my co-werkers truly are just so happens to land on my one-year anniversary with the company. This is officially, the longest place I’ve worked since the Dole Center back in Kansas (glory days).
I only hope everyone has the kind of support system I have here. Because it’s more than just being a team player. It’s that “Bud Light Fairy” who leaves you a brew when you go for a bathroom break at 9:30 at night. It’s those inside jokes you make when trapped in a room at 11 p.m. on a Wednesday when all you do is stare at the deck and laugh. That’s the best kind of support system. The green and orange walls are my Sunrise on Avenue C.
Hanna (Non)Tana 