The Informational Documentaries program unlocks access to seven short films created by filmmakers from across the globe, as well as several filmmaker introduction videos. Each individual program screening can be unlocked for $5 a piece. Additionally, you can purchase our All-Access Festival Pass to unlock access to our entire festival lineup for one low price! You can find more information on our All-Access Festival Pass <a href="https://csiff.eventive.org/passes/buy" target="_blank" class="ql-size-small" style="color: rgb(194, 133, 255);">here.</a>

"Chess is a game of war without Violence." Touch and Go Chess Party is an experimental documentary on Cecil Locke and his 26 foot long 200 pound collapsible chess table located on Michigan Avenue in Chicago Illinois. He has set up outside of the art institute 6 days a week from April to November since 1998. Not only is Touch and Go Chess Party a unique street art installation, but also a staple of the chess community and passersby alike. Director Biography -&nbsp;Paul Restivo<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/dc970e91daf59526dab6093218357e18.jpg" width="264" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 1em 1em;">﻿Paul Restivo is a Master of Fine Arts candidate in Film Directing at DePaul University in Chicago Illinois. When he's not making experimental films or doing post-production work, you can find him playing chess, in his garden, or playing chess in his garden. Director StatementChess has held a special place in my heart for the past decade. My best friend Adam and I learned how to play chess in high school. Even when he joined the Marines and moved away, we were still able to bond over the game online. Adam discovered Cecil's tables when he moved back to Chicago, and we spent a lot of time there that summer. I had two immediate thoughts upon arrival. This is a work of art... and this is absolutely insane. 26 feet of chess tables at the corner of Jackson and Michigan? It all folds up into a rolling cart and Cecil brings it back and forth on the L? Am I in DIY heaven or hell? As I got to know Cecil, I started realizing that he's a man with a vision. He curated every detail of this work of art- and my goal with this piece is to do it justice.

Touch and Go Chess Party

This chess-centric short documentary showcases Cecil Locke and his portable chess table he brings to the streets of Chicago every year for pedestrians to enjoy.

<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/810b793458b93791bea09dc0d34517bb.jpg" width="258" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 1em 1em;">A film about home, love, and motherhood, "Home: Joselyn's Story" is the story of Joselyn, who was brought to the United States from Honduras by her mother when she was 9 years old. As a mother now, she reflects on the decision her mother made for her, risking everything to give her daughter a better life. This short film was produced during The Representation Project's 2019 Summer Youth Media Academy in Oakland, California. The first-time filmmaking team was made up of Isabel Lozano, Leonie Sarath, Griselda Martinez, Susana Torres &amp; Nattaly Gomez.

Home: Joselyn's Story

This biographical short film tells the story of Joselyn, who was brought to America by her mother at 9 years old. Now a mother herself, Joselyn contemplates the decision her mother made for her all those years ago.

A documentary highlighting the Chicago Debate League, one of the first programs that eventually formed the National Urban Debate League. The program was created with the goal of using the activity of competitive debate to raise academic outcomes for inner-city youth. Director - Mark Zalewski<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/9557ebb372d0c27cccebd4b0064905a2.jpg" width="330">

Up For Debate

This short documentary showcases the Chicago Debate League, as well as exploring how debates can positively influence the academics of innercity children.

Three days after the Tree of Life synagogue shooting, thousands of people in Pittsburgh came together to protest the hate and violence in the country. “Stronger than Steel” explores that even after tragedy, there is hope in this divided nation. Director Biography -&nbsp;Jacob Pincus<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/6133c127053ed1809f67320529f02ee6.jpg" width="175" style="display: inline; margin: 0px 1em 1em 0px; float: left;">Jacob Pincus was born and grew up in Pittsburgh. He is currently a junior at Beachwood High School in Ohio.

Stronger than Steel

This short documentary gives first-hand accounts into the peaceful protests that took place after the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, PA.

Girls in the Sistan and Baluchestan province of Iran have to go far away from village and bring water from the pond due to a lack of water. But in most of these ponds there is a kind of Iranian crocodile known as Gando, an animal that attacks humans. People of this province still treat nice to the Gandos, as they believe that when there is a Gando so there is water. This documentary film tells the story of a nine-year-old girl named Hawa, who survived an encounter with the Gando. Director - Teymour Ghaderi <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/2e30d75da21e1b5039aed0bc0f4d864b.jpg" width="303">

Gando

When water is scarce in Sistan, Iraq, women will risk whatever it takes to acquire it for their villages. Even it means losing an arm or leg.

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