Latest News

Something New is Happening to Inspire!
September 2nd, 2010

We are turning over a new leaf this year! Since we are such a multi-level and multimedia group, calling us a “film” group just didn’t quite apply anymore. This year, Inspire Films will be just as socially-conscious, just as inspiring and though-provoking. But we will do it all under the new name: Inspire Media.

We hope you’ll join us in celebrating a new year and a new chapter. This year will be one of growth and of exciting new events and ideas.

To keep up with all that we’re doing, you can find our new Facebook page here!

And our Twitter is the same, just a new name here!

We hope you’ll come see us at the activities fair and other fun events during New Student Week!

The 2010-2011 Film Grant Recipients
May 26th, 2010

Congratulations to director Jac Reyno and producer Matt Litwiller, the recipients of the 2010-2011 Inspire Film Grant.

Check back later for more information on their documentary film about the Pine Ridge Native American Reservation in South Dakota, and how you can get involved.

Thank you to everyone who came to petition — the decision was a tough one!

2010 Film Grant Pitch Packets Due Soon!
May 16th, 2010

I know you all have inspiring, socially conscious thoughts churning within your brain. Maybe your mind was sparked after seeing Western Divided. If you think you can create something that will make a difference, Inspire wants to help you out!

You could make your very own documentary or socially conscious narrative about what you feel to be most important and get $1,500 to make it a reality!

If all of this sounds right up your alley, you can find the application here!

Pitch packets are due by midnight on May 23, and pitches will take place on May 25 in Louis Hall 118 from 7-10 pm.

Post-Symposium!
May 9th, 2010

Hi everyone!

Thanks so much for coming out to the Symposium. We had a great time and had some really enlightening discussion. If you missed out, check out the photos here!

We’d like to thank everyone who made this happen, especially Emma Forman and Ashely Hudson, our symposium co-directors along with everyone on committees. They made this a reality!

We would be remiss if we didn’t thank the amazing panelists and speakers that participated as well. Steve James gave an incredible keynote and the master class by Peter Gilbert was the perfect complement. Our panel of Orion Pahl, a film student and former Invisible Children Volunteer and Photographer Michael Bracey offered some great insight about race in media and their personal experiences.

Thanks also to Ask Big Question who came out to facilitate a discussion about the importance of race.

Finally, we ended the night with the premiere of Western Divided, our grant-winner this year. It was an interesting documentary looking at different communities along Western Avenue in Chicago.

Hopefully you had as much fun as we did!

Keep your eyes peeled for information about our film grant for next year which will be up for grabs really soon!

Finally, our premier

Symposium Day Two!
May 8th, 2010

The second and last day of Symposium kicks off today. This is a jam-packed day starting with a screening of Invisible Children and ending with the premiere of Western Divided (this year’s film grant winner) Check out the trailer for Western Divided here to get excited!

In between, there’s an amazing master class taught by Peter Gilbert, producer of Hoop Dreams among countless others, a panel that includes a wide variety of media representatives and an presentation from our Open Media Grant winners.

We hope to see you all today!

First Day of Symposium: Success!
May 7th, 2010

The first event of this year’s Symposium went just wonderfully yesterday! Tons of people came out to decorate TOMS shoes on the South Lawn of Norris. It was sunny with a light breeze.

Check out coverage of Thursday’s event on North by Northwestern!

Join us for the 2010 Inspire Symposium May 6-8
May 3rd, 2010

Check out Inspire’s annual symposium this weekend, May 6-8. This year’s symposium focuses on race and media. Come take a look at the Open Media Grants from this year, as well as our film grant, Western Divided! The symposium will give students an opportunity to interact with professionals in film and television from across the country.

For more info and event details, visit our Symposium page.

Inspire’s TOMS Style Your Sole Shoes on Sale Starting Monday!
April 10th, 2010

The first event of the Symposium is the Style Your Sole event on May 6 on the Norris lawn outside of Norbucks. In order to participate in the event, stop by the Rock or the ground floor of Norris to buy a pair of shoes to decorate! TOMS will donate a pair of shoes for ever shoe we sell.
We will be selling all week, from April 12-16, but don’t wait until the last day. Inspire is offering the first 75 pairs at a reduced price of $40!

Congrats to the New Inspire Exec Board
February 25th, 2010

Thanks to all our executive board applicants! We had a great turn out and found some fabulous new members.

Here’s the new board:

Co-Presidents
Andrew Glor
Sky Dylan-Robbins

VPs of Advocacy + Awareness
Dylan Lewis
Melissa Sobin

VP of Productions
Kristine Lu

VPs of Communications
Lindsey Kratochwill
Shaunacy Ferro

VPs of Publicity
Kathryn Ferrara
Nolan Feeney

VPs of Community Outreach
Liz Miller
Lauren Manning

Call for New Executive Board Members
February 21st, 2010

DEADLINE EXTENDED!

Have you been looking for a way to get involved in Inspire Films and social issue media? The time is coming for finding new Inspire Films board presidents and members. We’re excited to introduce new students to Inspire Films.

Send in the attached application to inspirefilmsnu@gmail.com by midnight on Tuesday, February 23. You will be contacted for interviews following the deadline.

Winter Event – Tell Us Your Story!
January 28th, 2010

Come to Fisk Hall 217 on Friday, February 19 at 7:00 pm for a night of storytelling with talented speakers and performers brought to you by Inspire Films.

Our guests include Underground Library, Xan Aranda, Jabari Zuberi, and Eula Biss. Learn about how people tell stories and why.

See you there!

Open Media Grant Winners
December 6th, 2009

We had some great applications for the Open Media Grant–thanks to everyone who applied!

We’ll be giving grants to the following students:

Angela Mears: An audio essay exploring what it means to be of mixed-race
Elizabeth Miller and Kelsey Sheridan: An audio documentary on the effectiveness of magnet schools in eradicating educational inequality and self-segregation
Scott Olstad: A painting exhibition examining racial inequalities in education
Ed Paget: A website project documenting politically inspired graffiti and a photography exhibition on graffiti surrounding the Olympic Bid

We’re excited to work with these artists on their projects, which will be premiered at the spring Symposium. Stay tuned for their progress!

Open Media Grant Reminder
November 22nd, 2009

You still have time to come up with a grant proposal for the Inspire Films Open Media Grant! We’re looking for any kind of art, media, or performance that relates to urban issues like race, education, crime, etc.

Are you a dancer? A painter? A journalist? Use your talents to create a work with Inspire’s grant money and showcase it at the spring Symposium.

Applications are due November 30 at midnight, so apply now!

Visit the Open Media Grant page for more details and to download an application.

Thanks for a Successful Night of Performance at actUP!
November 16th, 2009

Thanks to everyone who came to Inspire’s fall event, actUP!, on Thursday, November 12! We had an amazing night of performance art from local stars, including Kuumba Lynx, Connect Force, Sky Pilots, Multicultural Youth Project, and The Slam Society. It was great meeting and chatting with such talented students who use art and media as tools for empowerment.

Check out our Facebook for more pictures and videos from the night!

2009 Open Media Grant Application Now Available!
October 9th, 2009

Interested in applying for an Open Media Grant? Then great news–the 2009 Application is now available and due November 30, 2009 at midnight! Find out more information about the grant, and download the application here.

Inspire Films Website Launches!
September 29th, 2009

Inspire Films launched its new web presence on September 30th at www.inspirefilms.org. The site is a comprehensive resource for Northwestern students, staff, and community members for information about Inspire’s programming and organization. It features Twitter updates, an event calendar, grant applications, and histories of the groups and its work.

Check back often for new videos and film trailers, photo slideshows, and grant winners. Don’t forget to follow the Inspire Films Twitter at www.twitter.com/inspirefilms!

Throwaway War Director Ben Singer Recieves Award!
September 25th, 2009

Big congrats to the crew of The Throwaway War, who were named Champions for Recovery for “Excellence in Filmmaking.”

The film featured A Safe Haven, one of Chicago’s most important networks of homes for recovering addicts. A Safe Haven provides housing and job assistance to its clients. The ceremoney took place September 18th at the Union League Club in downtown Chicago and was kicked off with the premiere of The Throwaway War trailer and a short speech by Benjamin Singer.

You can download the official press release here.

2009-2010 Informational Guide now available
September 24th, 2009

Learn more about the way Inspire Films supports student-driven social issue media. Check out the new Informational Guide on the Support Us page for the latest details on yearly events, executive members, budget, and more. Miss out on Symposium 2009? Get a glimpse into last year’s programming and grant winning film and look to the coming year with board member bios and program budgets.