The series is titled Reel Midwest and it will highlight short films, documentaries, and features from filmmakers in Illinois and the Midwest. The series kicks off on January 3rd at 9 p.m. Here are more details from the press release:
Illinois Public Media is proud to announce the launch of Reel Midwest, a new independent film series that aims to find the best in features, documentaries, and short films in Illinois and across the Midwest. Reel Midwest will showcase the region’s brightest talents through a selection of thought-provoking documentaries, powerful narrative dramas, and insightful short films.
“Many people seem to think the best documentaries come from New York or L.A. But the Midwest is blessed to have an extraordinarily creative filmmaking community, and Illinois Public Media is extremely fortunate to work with and support them,” said Moss Bresnahan, president and CEO of Illinois Public Media.
Reel Midwest continues public media’s long-standing commitment to independent film and rivals other powerful and established film series, such as POV and Independent Lens. However, Reel Midwest’s primary goal is to showcase the heartland of our country along with the history, struggles, art, and issues that bind us as a region.
“Independent filmmakers take creative risks, tackle complex issues, and express points of view rarely explored in the mass media. We take great pride in broadcasting such work to audiences in Illinois and beyond,” continued Bresnahan.
Kicking off season one of Reel Midwest is Inquiring Nuns, which has experienced a recent revival with its first-ever theatrical release by Kartemquin Films, 50 years later. Since then, the 1968 film has received critical acclaim, including from Kathleen Reinmuth (formerly Sister Marie Arné) at the Chicago Sun-Times, Michael Phillips at the Chicago Tribune, and “Critic’s Pick” from The New York Times.
Reel Midwest premieres Jan. 3, 2019 on WILL-TV, with films airing every Thursday night at 9 pm through Feb. 28, 2019.
You can see the full list of scheduled films and descriptions here.