20 Years of Chicago Film Archives

In celebration of Chicago Film Archives’ 20th year, the CFA has put together a cavalcade of short silent films that they have photochemically preserved over the past two decades, many of which have never screened in public before. CFA is a regional film archive with a focus on collections representing midwestern lives and filmmakers. These films, all made in Illinois, are a snapshot of the wide variety of filmmaking practices and styles that flourished right here in the Midwest during the 20th century. Featuring Carmen (unknown, 1926), Hands Across the City (John H. Matthews, 1935), Chicago in Black-and-White (Helen Morrison, 1939), Camera on Chicago (Warren E. Thompson, 1940-83), Beauty and the Beast (JoAnn Elam, 1973), Disintegration Line #1 (Larry Janiak, 1960), and The City (Maurice Bailen, 1961).

With live piano accompaniment by David Drazin for selected films.

For more information about the selected films, visit our website.