Chicago Film Archives
@chicagofilmarchives.org
Regional film archive dedicated to collecting, preserving, and providing access to films that represent the Midwest. More at chicagofilmarchives.org
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Collections - Chicago Film Archives
CFA's collections contain films of all genres, including documentaries, experimental films, and home movies, many available for streaming.
www.chicagofilmarchives.org
This is a thread of items from the collections of Chicago Film Archives that are newly available to view online. You can search the collection here: www.chicagofilmarchives.org/collections/
The White Sox are moving on!!
In this amateur Super 8 film from 1976, Sox 2b Jack Brohamer became the only player in MLB history to hit a home run while wearing shorts. The Sox wore this uniform for just three games (going 2-1!), including in this 8/21 win against the Orioles. 📽️ by Pat Pahr.
In this amateur Super 8 film from 1976, Sox 2b Jack Brohamer became the only player in MLB history to hit a home run while wearing shorts. The Sox wore this uniform for just three games (going 2-1!), including in this 8/21 win against the Orioles. 📽️ by Pat Pahr.
October 1, 2026 at 5:15 PM
The White Sox are moving on!!
In this amateur Super 8 film from 1976, Sox 2b Jack Brohamer became the only player in MLB history to hit a home run while wearing shorts. The Sox wore this uniform for just three games (going 2-1!), including in this 8/21 win against the Orioles. 📽️ by Pat Pahr.
In this amateur Super 8 film from 1976, Sox 2b Jack Brohamer became the only player in MLB history to hit a home run while wearing shorts. The Sox wore this uniform for just three games (going 2-1!), including in this 8/21 win against the Orioles. 📽️ by Pat Pahr.
Today we're remembering Jack Behrend, a great friend to CFA from our earliest years who lived so much of the Midwestern film history that our collections preserve.
In 2010 our founder Nancy Watrous interviewed Jack; in this excerpt he recalls his first years working at theaters in the early 1950s.
In 2010 our founder Nancy Watrous interviewed Jack; in this excerpt he recalls his first years working at theaters in the early 1950s.
September 30, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Today we're remembering Jack Behrend, a great friend to CFA from our earliest years who lived so much of the Midwestern film history that our collections preserve.
In 2010 our founder Nancy Watrous interviewed Jack; in this excerpt he recalls his first years working at theaters in the early 1950s.
In 2010 our founder Nancy Watrous interviewed Jack; in this excerpt he recalls his first years working at theaters in the early 1950s.
Happy #SilentMovieDay! Only ~20% of all American silent feature films survive in full; another 5% survive in incomplete form, such as SOME PUN'KINS (1925). Reels 4 and 6 are part of the Krosse Collection at CFA. We think the decomposition really helps ratchet up the tension in this climactic scene.
September 29, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Happy #SilentMovieDay! Only ~20% of all American silent feature films survive in full; another 5% survive in incomplete form, such as SOME PUN'KINS (1925). Reels 4 and 6 are part of the Krosse Collection at CFA. We think the decomposition really helps ratchet up the tension in this climactic scene.
Tomorrow!
The next installment in our Inside/Out series is this coming Wednesday 9/23, featuring "Mi Raza: Portrait of a Family," a 1972 documentary about a working class Mexican American family in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood, plus a post-screening discussion presented by journalist Alexandra Salomon.
September 22, 2026 at 7:33 PM
Tomorrow!
The next installment in our Inside/Out series is this coming Wednesday 9/23, featuring "Mi Raza: Portrait of a Family," a 1972 documentary about a working class Mexican American family in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood, plus a post-screening discussion presented by journalist Alexandra Salomon.
September 18, 2026 at 7:46 PM
The next installment in our Inside/Out series is this coming Wednesday 9/23, featuring "Mi Raza: Portrait of a Family," a 1972 documentary about a working class Mexican American family in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood, plus a post-screening discussion presented by journalist Alexandra Salomon.
Dancer Mary Linda Swayze improvises movements for architecture of the Chicago Cultural Center in this scene from "City & The Arts," a 1977 documentary from CFA's Eleanor Binstock Collection about a program that supported employment for artists via the creation of public art.
September 17, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Dancer Mary Linda Swayze improvises movements for architecture of the Chicago Cultural Center in this scene from "City & The Arts," a 1977 documentary from CFA's Eleanor Binstock Collection about a program that supported employment for artists via the creation of public art.
Reposted by Chicago Film Archives
The Chicago Film Archives series features four free screenings of films made by Chicago-based women exploring themes of identity, culture, and migration. https://bit.ly/46I8a8d
The CFA presents Inside/Out: Stories of Origin and Dis/Placement - Chicago Reader
The Chicago Film Archives series features four free screenings of films made by Chicago-based women exploring themes of identity, culture, and migration.
chicagoreader.com
September 14, 2026 at 6:40 PM
The Chicago Film Archives series features four free screenings of films made by Chicago-based women exploring themes of identity, culture, and migration. https://bit.ly/46I8a8d
Tomorrow evening at Epiphany Center for the Arts: a powerful 1972 documentary about Chicago's Austin neighborhood, presented by Natalie Y. Moore. Full details here: www.chicagofilmarchives.org/calendar/eve...
September 15, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Tomorrow evening at Epiphany Center for the Arts: a powerful 1972 documentary about Chicago's Austin neighborhood, presented by Natalie Y. Moore. Full details here: www.chicagofilmarchives.org/calendar/eve...
Our Inside/Out series kicks off next Wednesday 9/16!
In September and October we're presenting "Inside/Out: Stories of Origin and Displacement," a series of four free screenings and discussions at the Epiphany Center for the Arts. Check out the series trailer and learn more here: www.chicagofilmarchives.org/news/2026/08...
September 9, 2026 at 4:36 PM
Our Inside/Out series kicks off next Wednesday 9/16!
Super 8 film depicting a pro-Equal Rights Amendment demonstration in Chicago's Grant Park on May 10, 1980.
September 3, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Super 8 film depicting a pro-Equal Rights Amendment demonstration in Chicago's Grant Park on May 10, 1980.
Comedians George Kirby and Redd Foxx reminisce about fishing in Chicago's Washington Park in this clip from a reel of 16mm footage shot in 1970 for "San Diego Boat Party," an episode of ABC's "American Sportsman" series.
September 2, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Comedians George Kirby and Redd Foxx reminisce about fishing in Chicago's Washington Park in this clip from a reel of 16mm footage shot in 1970 for "San Diego Boat Party," an episode of ABC's "American Sportsman" series.
This Sunday, August 30 would have been the 78th birthday of Fred Hampton, chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party.
August 28, 2026 at 6:10 PM
This Sunday, August 30 would have been the 78th birthday of Fred Hampton, chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party.
A 16mm ad spot for William G. Clark's 1968 campaign for U.S. Senator from Illinois.
The ad was created by The Film Group, a commercial production company that would go on to create political documentaries like "The Murder of Fred Hampton" and "American Revolution II."
The ad was created by The Film Group, a commercial production company that would go on to create political documentaries like "The Murder of Fred Hampton" and "American Revolution II."
August 26, 2026 at 7:59 PM
A 16mm ad spot for William G. Clark's 1968 campaign for U.S. Senator from Illinois.
The ad was created by The Film Group, a commercial production company that would go on to create political documentaries like "The Murder of Fred Hampton" and "American Revolution II."
The ad was created by The Film Group, a commercial production company that would go on to create political documentaries like "The Murder of Fred Hampton" and "American Revolution II."
In September and October we're presenting "Inside/Out: Stories of Origin and Displacement," a series of four free screenings and discussions at the Epiphany Center for the Arts. Check out the series trailer and learn more here: www.chicagofilmarchives.org/news/2026/08...
August 24, 2026 at 7:33 PM
In September and October we're presenting "Inside/Out: Stories of Origin and Displacement," a series of four free screenings and discussions at the Epiphany Center for the Arts. Check out the series trailer and learn more here: www.chicagofilmarchives.org/news/2026/08...
On Sept 10 our friends @chicagofilmsociety.org will be premiering CFA's new 16mm preservation of Tom Palazzolo's first feature, CALIGARI'S CURE (1982)! Tom will be there in person and we hope you will be too!
Caligari's Cure preservation premiere - Chicago Film Archives
www.chicagofilmarchives.org
August 21, 2026 at 9:15 PM
On Sept 10 our friends @chicagofilmsociety.org will be premiering CFA's new 16mm preservation of Tom Palazzolo's first feature, CALIGARI'S CURE (1982)! Tom will be there in person and we hope you will be too!
On August 15, 1967, the city dedicated "Chicago Picasso" in Daley Plaza. Tom Palazzolo was there, shooting footage that would become his film "The Bride Stripped Bare" and documenting what he called the "absurd and mystical pomp bound up in grandiose ceremonies."
August 17, 2026 at 8:41 PM
On August 15, 1967, the city dedicated "Chicago Picasso" in Daley Plaza. Tom Palazzolo was there, shooting footage that would become his film "The Bride Stripped Bare" and documenting what he called the "absurd and mystical pomp bound up in grandiose ceremonies."
Super 8 scenes from the 1980 Wisconsin State Fair, from the John & Marilyn Sanner Collection. 🐄🌽🍻
August 14, 2026 at 9:19 PM
Super 8 scenes from the 1980 Wisconsin State Fair, from the John & Marilyn Sanner Collection. 🐄🌽🍻
Well folks, we survived Lollapalooza weekend!
From the Ted Bokhof Collection: silent 16mm footage of Jefferson Airplane performing a free concert at the Grant Park Music Shell on 5/13/1969, presented by the Chi Park District. Watch the whole reel: collections.chicagofilmarchives.org/Detail/objec...
From the Ted Bokhof Collection: silent 16mm footage of Jefferson Airplane performing a free concert at the Grant Park Music Shell on 5/13/1969, presented by the Chi Park District. Watch the whole reel: collections.chicagofilmarchives.org/Detail/objec...
August 3, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Well folks, we survived Lollapalooza weekend!
From the Ted Bokhof Collection: silent 16mm footage of Jefferson Airplane performing a free concert at the Grant Park Music Shell on 5/13/1969, presented by the Chi Park District. Watch the whole reel: collections.chicagofilmarchives.org/Detail/objec...
From the Ted Bokhof Collection: silent 16mm footage of Jefferson Airplane performing a free concert at the Grant Park Music Shell on 5/13/1969, presented by the Chi Park District. Watch the whole reel: collections.chicagofilmarchives.org/Detail/objec...
A man using a riding lawnmower to pull a girl around a yard in a small wagon. From an 8mm home movie reel labeled "Iowa Vacation 1961" shot by Donna Adams.
July 30, 2026 at 7:47 PM
A man using a riding lawnmower to pull a girl around a yard in a small wagon. From an 8mm home movie reel labeled "Iowa Vacation 1961" shot by Donna Adams.
Ladies of the Faust and Wyckoff families drinking Schlitz with their pooch by the Lake in Belgium, Wisconsin, circa Summer 1945.
📽️ From a reel of 16mm home movies labeled "Wisconsin Vacations At Wyckoffs - Part I" in CFA's Chester E. Faust Collection.
📽️ From a reel of 16mm home movies labeled "Wisconsin Vacations At Wyckoffs - Part I" in CFA's Chester E. Faust Collection.
July 24, 2026 at 8:37 PM
Ladies of the Faust and Wyckoff families drinking Schlitz with their pooch by the Lake in Belgium, Wisconsin, circa Summer 1945.
📽️ From a reel of 16mm home movies labeled "Wisconsin Vacations At Wyckoffs - Part I" in CFA's Chester E. Faust Collection.
📽️ From a reel of 16mm home movies labeled "Wisconsin Vacations At Wyckoffs - Part I" in CFA's Chester E. Faust Collection.
Fiesta del Sol starts today! This Pilsen tradition started in 1973. Here are some scenes from the 1988 iteration from our Susan Dobinsky Collection. Watch more on our website!: collections.chicagofilmarchives.org/Detail/objec...
July 23, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Fiesta del Sol starts today! This Pilsen tradition started in 1973. Here are some scenes from the 1988 iteration from our Susan Dobinsky Collection. Watch more on our website!: collections.chicagofilmarchives.org/Detail/objec...
An older woman spinning wool and wearing a magnificently chunky knitted sweater vest, from a 16mm home movie shot in tiny, rural Bitely, Michigan circa 1929.
July 22, 2026 at 7:16 PM
An older woman spinning wool and wearing a magnificently chunky knitted sweater vest, from a 16mm home movie shot in tiny, rural Bitely, Michigan circa 1929.
CFA's staff have been working closely with Agata on this exciting project for the past few years!
Film scholar Agata Zborowska's “Not-So-Ordinary” project archives and restores amateur films from the city's Polish immigrant community. https://bit.ly/4ym0hBQ
Home movies tell the story of Chicago's Polish diaspora - Chicago Reader
Film scholar Agata Zborowska's “Not-So-Ordinary” project archives and restores amateur films from the city's Polish immigrant community.
chicagoreader.com
July 17, 2026 at 4:26 PM
CFA's staff have been working closely with Agata on this exciting project for the past few years!
A loose montage of Chicago summer scenes from 1984 from a Super 8 reel labeled "Summer City Festivals" in the Bill Stamets Collection.
July 16, 2026 at 5:05 PM
A loose montage of Chicago summer scenes from 1984 from a Super 8 reel labeled "Summer City Festivals" in the Bill Stamets Collection.
Come see CFA favorite OBEY YOUR AIR RAID WARDEN (Robert Davis & Harry Hilfinger, 1942) in LA!
Gonna be showing all 3 minutes of this mini-masterpiece alongside 7 other short films preserved by @filmpreservation.bsky.social on July 18th @vidiots.bsky.social in LA. Spread the good word.
Info & tickets:
vidiotsfoundation.org/movies/celeb...
Info & tickets:
vidiotsfoundation.org/movies/celeb...
July 10, 2026 at 6:41 PM
Come see CFA favorite OBEY YOUR AIR RAID WARDEN (Robert Davis & Harry Hilfinger, 1942) in LA!