An Open Letter To Our Community and Membership:
We at Chicago Filmmakers are humbled as we join family and friends in honoring the memory of George Perry Floyd, Jr. (October 14, 1973 – May 25, 2020). George Floyd’s tragic and shocking death in Minneapolis while in police custody and the graphic depiction of his death via cell phone media has reignited a nationwide movement against the extrajudicial killings of Black Americans. It has sharpened our commitment to support the work of local media producers and filmmakers who share our dedication and passion for social justice and heightened the need for systemic change.
The persistence of white supremacy and the dangerous racism it spawns are deeply rooted in the US societal fabric. It can be seen in the systemic denial of opportunities for Black Americans in every aspect of life, from birth to death and this damage is generational. Consider the overly high rates at which Black mothers are dying during or after childbirth, the immense but failed US criminal-justice system that is compared to modern day slavery, and finally, the high levels of Black morbidity and policing. Black lives experience these persistent and damaging inequities in the society that continues to reap real benefits from their labor.
We need widespread acknowledgement of the prevalence of white supremacy in our society and consistent efforts to dismantle not only the systems that allow it to continue, but also our own unconscious biases. We cannot remain silent.
As a premiere media arts organization, Chicago Filmmakers’ is actively working to do our part to deconstruct and challenge the false narratives of white supremacy that continue to fuel an unsustainable system of disproportionate inequities in the US. Thus, through the Chicago Digital Media Production Fund at Chicago Filmmakers, we are working to expand and create more funding opportunities for the diverse voices of filmmakers of color whose projects address current issues of social justice and inequality.
We will continue to use our platform to lift up the voices of those who have been historically marginalized.
We are taking these actions to do our part in dismantling white supremacy and all forms of inequity in our society. We invite you to join us.
Educate yourself and loved ones
This compilation of anti-racist resources includes movies to watch, books to read, suggestions for talking about race with children and more.
Donate to lift up multicultural media projects:
Donate to women of color filmmaker group Mezcla Media Collective
Support Sisters of Cinema, a Chicago based 501(c)3 non-profit with an inclusive mission to entertain, educate, develop and celebrate Black girls and women media-makers.
Support the protests against police brutality and systemic oppression:
Donate to Chicago Bail Funds for protestors. Keeping peaceful protestors in jail is not just a first amendment issue, it’s also a public health issue.
Donate to the Chicago Chapter of Black Lives Matter
Donate and support the advocacy work of Campaign Zero
Volunteer
My Block, My Hood, My City is helping organize efforts to clean up neighborhoods around Chicago. You can sign up as a volunteer or make a donation here.
Watch and Share the work of BIPOC creators
You can start by checking out the work of local BIPOC filmmakers and recipients of our Chicago Digital Media Production Fund grant, a program that grants funding to filmmakers whose work encourages social change and is available for free online viewing.
Follow and share the work of digital media platform The Triibe, an independent media organization that is reclaiming and rewriting the Black narrative in Chicago. You can also donate to The Triibe.
Vote
Every vote matters! Make sure you’re registered to vote and ready to cast your ballot come November.
Support Black-Owned Businesses
One of the best ways to invest in the African American community, is to purchase from Black-owned businesses. Check out this directory and resource for Black-owned businesses in Chicago.
In solidarity,
- The Staff and Board of Chicago Filmmakers