Established in 1975, the now 47-year-old art cinema and pioneering video rental outlet FACETS hosted its first Screen Gems Benefit since before the pandemic, and honored Chaz Ebert with the FACETS Legend Award on September 28th at the Arts Club of Chicago, 201 E. Ontario St.
Approximately 150 guests attended the sold-out fundraiser, enjoying cocktails and a buffet dinner. Attendees then adjourned to the theater for a variety of presentations. FACETS' Board of Directors Co-Chair Randy Adamsick provided an emotional remembrance of the organization's late founder Milos Stehlik (1949-2019) which was followed by an inspiring institutional report from Executive Director Karen Cardarelli who also announced the launch of the Chicago Alliance of Film Festivals to bring unity and economic vitality to film festivals and venues in the Chicagoland area and beyond.
Then, Chicago Tribune Film Critic and Filmspotting Guest Host Michael Phillips took the stage to recognize Chaz Ebert for her numerous contributions to the film industry followed by a tribute video created by Mint Media Works, and the presentation of the FACETS Legend Award, an engraved glass brick from Catalan artist Jaume Plensa's Crown Fountain in Chicago's Millennium Park, provided by the Richard Gray Gallery. Ms. Ebert's acceptance speech was mostly off-script and incredibly sincere and heartfelt. Before the event's conclusion, Alyssa Quinlan from Hindman Auctions presided over the paddle auction.
Karen Carderelli, the Executive Director of FACETS said the goal of the fundraiser was to raise $70,000 and was elated to announce that the total amount raised exceeded $90,000. All proceeds benefit the Bross Scholarship Fund which supports under-resourced youth. Scholarships provide free access to FACETS' Chicago International Children's Film Festival and Summer Film Camps. "Ms. Ebert has been a longtime supporter of FACETS and a beacon of advice and encouragement as the organization has found its new place in the cinema landscape," said Carderelli.
The board of FACETS joined Louis Ferrara, Deputy Director, Illinois Film Office and Thavary Krouch, Independent Film Coordinator, Chicago Film Office and other organizations in celebrating the launch of the Chicago Alliance of Film Festivals.