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CFA Media Mixer Blends Up Unique Local Footage, Filmmakers And Musicians

By Steven Pate in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 17, 2012 6:20PM

2012_07_17_cfamixer.png Since not everybody can make it to the Chicago Film Archives's 18th Street location to see what has been spirited away in its community-supported vaults, we are always very happy whenever they bring their collection out into the wild. Add to the equation some local music, one of our favorite venues, and the opportunity to help them achieve their mission, and you can be sure we'll be there. The CFA's First Annual Media Mixer, August 17 at The Hideout, will feature three local filmmakers using CFA's footage and three local musical artists providing accompaniment.

We don't know exactly what sort of footage was made available, but the variety and quality of the participants bodes very well. Kent Lambert of Roommate fame is matched with the sounds of local krautrock stalwarts Cave. The ubiquitous Tim Kinsella is paired with video artist Jessica Bardsley. Finally, filmmaker Andy Resek, who we recognize from the Chicago Aldermen Project, doubles up with Ellen Castleberry in a collaboration with bassist Joshua Abrams.

Since its formation nearly ten years ago to provide a home for thousands of films that the Chicago Public Library no longer had use for, the Chicago Film Archives has become an important player in the preservation of the cultural heritage of Chicago and the Midwest. The CFA houses a repository of commercial and experimental film, amateur / home movies, stock footage, and other filmed media. Their portfolio of preservation projects and stewardship of important collections make them a worthy candidate of your interest, time and dollars, but if that all that isn't enough, they are are also raffling off cinema-centric items like an 8-second sequence of free CFA stock footage or memberships to Cinema/Chicago (Chicago International Film Festival), snazzy bikes treats for gourmands, and other swag.

The CFA Media Mixer takes place Friday, August 17 at 8 p.m. at The Hideout. Tickets to the event are $15, available for purchase online.