Chicago women melting cold shoulders of male-dominated film industry.

During the recent historic Polar Vortex, most of us here in the Midwest hunkered down during the minus 52-degree windchill.

Nevertheless, a throng of fearless Chicagoans refused to let temps — or the film industry’s exclusionary temperament toward women — freeze their collective spirit.

Despite life-threatening conditions on Wednesday, January 30th, three women — Colleen Griffen, Ali Burch and Clare Cooney — braved the elements to screen their latest films at The Wilmette Theater to a warm-hearted and courageous audience of fifty.

Chicago Women In Film
Director Clare Cooney, Producer Colleen Griffen and Actress Ali Burch, together at The Wilmette Theater January 30, 2019 (Jason Rosenholtz-Witt)

Theatergoers braved sub-zero temps to screen Clare Cooney’s Runner and Colleen Griffen’s An Acceptable Loss. (Larry Lundy)

Following the two screenings, the women participated in a panel discussion, during which they each acknowledged the enormous challenges — and opportunities — for women in film. Click here to read some of their responses.

L to R: Director Clare Cooney, Moderator Christine Wolf, Actress Ali Burch and Producer Colleen Griffen (Jason Rosenholtz-Witt)

The Films
Runner is Clare Cooney’s directorial debut, an intense, thought-provoking film following a young woman who witnesses a traumatic event. Cooney not only stars in…