Imani Davis with Chicago Made Shorts

Bio:

Imani Davis is a Chicago-based film producer, writer, and curator. She has been the recipient of Reunion Chicago's Cultural Producer's Grant, the Awesome Foundation‘s Microgrant, the Arts & Culture Capital Lab’s Art-trepreneur Grant, and Mezcla Media Collective's & Banner TV's Inaugural Film Microgrant. She is passionate about building community and believes film has the power to educate and engage the masses. Imani is the Founder and Creative Director of Chicago Made Shorts, a digital platform showcasing work in the city of Chicago by local established and emerging filmmakers. She is also a film scholar and critic, collaborating with organizations such as Blacknuss Network, Open Television, Chicago International Film Festival, Reunion Chicago, Sixty Inches from Center, Mezcla Media Collective, That’s My Entertainment, Video Librarian, Doc Films at the University of Chicago, and the Block Museum of Art. She is currently guest programming with the acclaimed American Cinematheque, a hallmark of the Los Angeles film scene.

"I have always been a huge fan of Arts + Public Life and was a frequent attendee of events before COVID. As a person who has lived mostly in the north side of the city, I always appreciated the opportunities to travel to the south side and engage with artists in meaningful events and conversations. I am an admirer of Jacqueline Stewart and her work in academic film studies, especially with the community engagement aspect of said work. As an undergraduate major in Film Studies, being a part of that legacy would be an honor. 

Another reason is that I believe APL is always up to date with the latest in the arts in the city and advocating for arts support. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, film production and conversations about Chicago being the next big film hub have dwindled out. The time has come for these conversations to be restarted and for filmmakers here to receive sustainable support. I believe this mission fits firmly with APL’s values and goals."