Opening Night Launch Party

Opening Launch poster with globe saying The Power of We.

Friday, March 6, 5 to 9 p.m.
Tesla Gold Coast
901 N. Rush St., Chicago

Join us for Opening Night and the biggest party of the Festival! We will kick off the 2020 season at Tesla's Chicago-Gold Coast store. The Launch Party is open to all, non-members and members alike. Come early for the Pre-Party Filmmaker Toast!

Pre-Party Filmmaker Toast • 5 - 6 p.m. • $20, includes champagne toast and small bites

(Meet established filmmakers below)

Bob Dolgan of ‘Monty and Rose’

Bob Dolgan of ‘Monty and Rose’

Jake L. Mitchell of ‘8 Billion Angels’

Jake L. Mitchell of ‘8 Billion Angels’

Ines Sommer of ‘Henry’s Farm’

Ines Sommer of ‘Henry’s Farm’

Terry Spahr of ‘8 Billion Angels’

Terry Spahr of ‘8 Billion Angels’

Annie Speicher of ‘Right to Harm’

Annie Speicher of ‘Right to Harm’

Victor Velle of ‘8 Billion Angels’

Victor Velle of ‘8 Billion Angels’

Matt Wechsler of ‘Right to Harm’

Matt Wechsler of ‘Right to Harm’

Katya Alexander of ‘8 Billion Angels’

Katya Alexander of ‘8 Billion Angels’

Marianna Wright of ‘Ay Marisposa’

Marianna Wright of ‘Ay Marisposa’

Tim Horsburgh of ‘Cooked’

Tim Horsburgh of ‘Cooked’

Judith Helfand of ‘Cooked’

Judith Helfand of ‘Cooked’

Fenell Doremus of ‘Cooked’

Fenell Doremus of ‘Cooked’

Take the opportunity to mix and mingle in a smaller, more intimate gathering. Join us for the official champagne toast to open the 2020 season and celebrate another year of engaging audiences and encouraging them to take action.

(Meet Young Filmmakers Contest winners below)

Tara Gupta of ‘Lucy’

Tara Gupta of ‘Lucy’

Patrick Thomas Keen of ‘Tossed’

Patrick Thomas Keen of ‘Tossed’

Oriana Camara of ‘Yasuni National Park’

Oriana Camara of ‘Yasuni National Park’

Natalie Shoultz of ‘Racism and the Movement’

Natalie Shoultz of ‘Racism and the Movement’

Nathan Goswick of ‘Plastic Bags’

Nathan Goswick of ‘Plastic Bags’

Jacob Updyke of ‘You Reap What You Sow”

Jacob Updyke of ‘You Reap What You Sow”

One Earth Members at the Director Level and above enjoy free admission to this event. Cast level members may attend this event for free with the purchase of a Launch Party ticket. Find out how you can become a member.

Opening Night Launch Party • 6-9 p.m. • $20, includes food and drink

Enjoy food, wine, beer and soft drinks while you mix and mingle with friends. Meet filmmakers, hear what's hot at this year's Fest, and preview top trailers and Young Filmmakers Contest shorts. Hear from Elise Zelechowski, standing Chief Sustainability Officer of the City of Chicago, and Marianna Treviño Wright, film subject from "Ay Mariposa" and Executive Director of the National Butterfly Center.

One Earth members at the Director Level and above enjoy free admission to this event. Find out how you can become a member.

Attire is business casual or cocktail attire. ADA compliant accessible venue. ADA compliant accessible venue.