Dinner for two turns deadly when a Korean and a Korean-American fight over who gets to pay the check — and who gets to keep their honor. <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/1ad11e68ce5a77186eaa296001b7e7dc.jpg" width="143" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 1em 1em 0px;">Director BiographyShane Chung is a Korean-American filmmaker who champions diversity, equity and wackiness in the film industry and enjoys pairing genre with unexpected subject matter. Director StatementCHECK PLEASE is heavily influenced by schlocky, zany, stunt-filled action comedy and martial arts films (Jackie Chan, Stephen Chow) because first and foremost I wanted to make a crowdpleaser. I think the best movies are like magic tricks in that you walk away after seeing them asking “how did they do that?!”﻿And yet I also wanted to use the "fun" of the action genre to trick the audience into sitting with a movie that talks about a theme more personal to me: the "in-betweenness" of holding a Korean-American identity. I address a few questions about belonging and representation: what is “Koreanness”? Is it innate? Can you gain or lose it? (Jay attempts to reclaim his perceived “loss in Koreanness” by attaching himself to superficial cultural Korean rituals, like picking up the bill.) And is there such thing as a “bad Korean” on screen? I wanted to portray Asian Americans in film that go beyond a tired immigrant storyline or a discrimination storyline and instead focus on the relatable internal struggle of being too Korean for America, but being too American for Korea. This is a resonant theme for many, my hope is that this film can help them feel that they aren't alone! <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/8p4p3pidda53ypwzgempa/CheckPlease_PK-Shane-Chung.pdf?rlkey=yioqgi5wsjx9tqtpt74grjzrw&amp;st=bwrjhphf&amp;dl=0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Link to official press kit.</a>

English, Korean

CHECK PLEASE

Ever meet someone and immediately imagine the possibilities of what falling in love would be like? The laughs, the intimacy. In Reverie, music lovers, Zara and Ben, meet by chance at a record store. Upon first sight, they both daydream of what could be. Director BiographyAshley Tyler is an emerging writer and director, who is excited to tell stories that highlight the real lived experiences of black people in an authentic and unique way. In 2023, as a part of Free Spirit Media’s Industry Pathway Cohort, Ashley produced and directed the cohort’s annual short film project, ‘GETCHO’, which was recently selected to screen at the 2024 Micheaux Film Festival. She also developed a narrative short titled ‘Betts’ while participating in the University of Chicago Production Institute and Community Film Workshop. Ashley is currently developing a coming-of-age dramedy series, Stay Afloat; the script for which was an Official Selection at the Essence Film Festival. Currently, Ashley is working on a coming-of-age drama, Sunflower County, which details the life of her mother growing up in Mississippi and moving up to Chicago at the tail end of the Great Migration. When she is not making films, you can find her practicing Jiu Jitsu or deep down the Youtube rabbit hole of her current obsession (this month, it’s Epstein conspiracy theories). Director StatementAshley’s work aims to champion quirky, black characters who have found themselves on the difficult path of self discovery. In order to tell these stories, she relies on comedy that errs toward the inappropriate and non-politically correct. Her hope is to write impactful stories that highlight eclectic characters in a fresh and surprising way. Ultimately, she wants to develop her own projects, on her own terms.

English

reverie

In "Bronzeville to Harlem, An American Story", a 24-minute documentary, viewers are taken on a visual and auditory journey through history with Preston Jackson, a profound sculptor from Decatur, Illinois. The film delves into Jackson's dedication to a project decades in the making: an expansive installation that pays homage to the Great Migration. This migration saw millions of African Americans move from the oppressive environments of the Southern United States to the more promising northern cities like Chicago's Bronzeville and New York's Harlem, fostering new opportunities and giving rise to pivotal art and music spaces. Over 25 to 30 years, Jackson meticulously crafted hundreds of miniature figures and structures representing individuals and cultural institutions from this era, each piece a testament to their struggles and triumphs. Continually evolving, his installation is a living narrative displayed at the Peoria Riverfront Museum. The documentary features an evocative score by jazz composer Greg Ward, enhancing the poignant visuals of Jackson's work. Directed by Diana Quiñones Rivera, the film is a tribute to the enduring spirit of those who dared to dream of a better life.

Bronzeville to Harlem, An American Story

Pros &amp; Cons is a timely story that highlights young Black people’s fears of having children. Issues like racism, capitalism, and insecurities reflect the reasons why Black women like Monique struggle with motherhood. Told in an intimate setting that serves as the characters intellectual battlefield, the characters’ vulnerabilities are exposed. Even with opposing views, love and support are what keep them united.

Pros & Cons

Following a tragic loss, a mother confronts her anguish by channeling her grief into advocacy.

MI-MI SHU-SHU

We Call Each Other is a heartfelt drama that features a community moving through drought and environmental racism. Amidst this larger crisis, main character Naullin faces an interpersonal dilemma as someone steals liquid fertilizer for his illegal at-home garden. Weaving nonfiction recorded audio into a scripted story, the short film features characters who lean on one another to build safety and repair without relying on prisons or police.

We Call Each Other

A tale about two black autistic siblings as they navigate a neurotypical world on an intersecting journey of self discovery.

I see myself in you

Lex is a depressed artist in a creative drought when Dahlia, an alien in human form, unexpectedly lands in Lake Michigan one morning. The two form an unlikely bond as Dahlia becomes Lex’s muse, helping her overcome her artistic block and develop a renewed sense of joy. However, Dahlia’s fascination with artists takes a sinister turn as she reveals her plans to abduct them and take them back to her home planet, where their species is incapable of artistic expression. <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/681d5863d4d801be2a868ee4aaf6dfc3.jpg" width="183" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 1em 1em 0px;">Director BiographyDrew is a first-generation American filmmaker, actor, and writer of Jamaican and British descent. She creates character-driven narratives inspired by speculative sci-fi and magical realism, exploring identity and intersectionality through grounded relationships and imaginative worlds. A published author and produced playwright, Drew studied theatre (acting) and broadcast journalism at the University of Florida.She has been professionally acting in theatre/tv/film for over 10 years. The Last Agent is her first film. Director StatementThe Last Agent was born from my personal struggles as a working artist, the persistent ache of devoting yourself to a dream that doesn't always give back. It's a reflection on the unpredictable nature of a creative life, but also a love letter to artists, strivers, and anyone who's ever wondered if the path they've chosen is still worth walking. At its core, this film is about connection, rediscovery, and the simple joys of being human. I wanted to highlight how a hot shower can feel transcendent, how there is beauty all around us when we take the time to look for it, and how good it feels to move your body to music and spend time with people who make you feel alive. But it is also a “monster in the house film” in disguise. I pose a question at the end of the film, "Would you have stayed or gone with Dahlia?" I want to start a conversation about burnout, the pursuit of happiness, and the invisible cost of survival in a world that often undervalues creative work. Visually, we leaned into a shifting aspect ratio to reflect the protagonist's internal journey. The 4:3 frame fosters intimacy, bringing audiences closer to our characters. When the frame expands to 16:9, itrepresents how the artist’s world expands through the lens of their camera. Breaking the fourth wall was another way of dissolving distance, I wanted audiences to feel seen by the characters. The long takes, inspired by Kore-eda's patient, observational style, allow Dahlia and Lex's relationship to unfold naturally and breathe. This was a micro-budget film, shot in three days, with all indoor scenes filmed in my apartment. It came together through the dedication, generosity, and artistic tenacity of a remarkable team of Chicago creatives. It was a labor of love—raw, collaborative, and made with deep care. My hope is that The Last Agent reminds audiences to find beauty in the everyday—and makes them sit with the unsettling realization that alien abduction might actually sound pretty good right now. <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/0qudtr99ksodntj3g37q6/TheLastAgent_PK-Drew-Michele.pdf?rlkey=uk0who08cvr1uf2p76mcb76xv&amp;st=kzkzp1e4&amp;dl=0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Link to official press kit.</a>

The Last Agent

A struggling artist finds inspiration in a mysterious alien agent whose motives end up being more sinister than she thought.

Winding through the maze of downtown Chicago, the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors work alongside the Field Museum and Willowbrook Wildlife Center to rescue birds that collide with windows, and study the birds that are killed during their annual migrations. The tenderhearted work presents a lens of environmental change that impacts every landscape.

Broken Flight

Illinois

Wisconsin

Indiana

Michigan

Iowa

Missouri

Shades of Chicago Film Series

Virtual Admission

Chicago Southland International Film Festival

Donation to {{name}}

Donate to CSIFF

Gift Cards

None available

Memberships

These are all the memberships tied to your account. Now, use our online schedule to reserve tickets. You can access your tickets via {{my_tickets_link|"My Tickets"}} or via the PDFs attached to each ticket order confirmation email. {{buy_membership_link|Looking to buy more memberships?}}

These are all the passes tied to your account. Now, use our online schedule to reserve tickets. You can access your tickets via {{my_tickets_link|"My Tickets"}} or via the PDFs attached to each ticket order confirmation email. {{buy_pass_link|Looking to buy more passes?}}

These are all your purchased tickets for the Chicago Southland International Film Festival. Each ticket gives you access to the various short film programs and feature film screenings our festival offers. Too many tickets? Purchase an All-Access Pass to unlock access to our entire festival catalog for one low price!

All-Access Festival Pass

3 Program Pack

Virtual Festival Pass

Festival Pass

VIP Festival Pass

All Access Festival Pass

Standard Festival Pass

Festival Passes

Here you can browse our available virtual programming. Plan to watch more than one program? Click "Return to Festival Page" above and then shoose "Select a Pass" for discounted access to more films. For any questions, please feel free to contact us at csiff@govst.edu.

Chicago Southland International Film Festival

Here's what's coming up soon. Can't make it? No sweat. Our live-streams will be available for 24 hours from their initial air time.