Chicago Premiere: Post-Screening Guests + Conversations

 Future Weather premieres in Chicago:

February 2/22 – 2/28 @ Gene Siskel Film Center

Showtimes & Tickets

Post-Screening Conversations

Enjoy nightly discussions with experts exploring some of the film's key themes: science, youth empowerment, climate action and independent filmmaking

Friday, February 22nd 6pm

Filmmaker Q&A with Steve Prokopy, from Ain't it Cool News 

Jenny Deller - Writer-Director-Producer, Future Weather 

Kristin Fairweather - Producer, Future Weather

Steve Prokopy - Editor, Ain't It Cool News
Better known as the film writer "Capone", Steve Prokopy is "the Chicago king of film nerds" and editor of Ain't It Cool News. AICN is dedicated to news, rumors and reviews of upcoming and currently playing films and television projects, with an emphasis on science fiction, fantasy, horror, comic-book and action genres. It combines gossip from anonymous and unverified sources as well as news and reviews.

Saturday, February 23rd 12:30pm

Illinois Math and ScienceAcademy Host Q&A: 
Jenny chats with her high school alma mater about the scientific inspiration for the film.

Jenny Deller - Writer-Director-Producer, Future Weather

Illinois Math and Science Academy (IMSA)

The internationally recognized Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) develops creative, ethical leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Saturday, February 23rd 7:45pm

Youth Science: Building Relationships, Expanding Opportunities, and Inspiring Personal Transformation

Jenny Deller - Writer-Director-Producer, Future Weather

Gabrielle Lyon - Cofounder & Executive Director, Project Exploration

Dr. Gabrielle Lyon is the Cofounder and Executive Director of Project Exploration, a nationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the face of science by ensuring students of color and girls have personalized experiences with science and scientists. 

Rebecca Daugherty - Assistant Director, Science in Society

Rebecca earned her PhD in cell biology from Northwestern University in 2011. While a graduate student, Rebecca volunteered with the McCormick Boys and Girls Club after-school science program, Science Club, where she developed a passion for working with at-risk youth. She currently serves as the Assistant Director of Science in Society, a Northwestern University office for science outreach and public engagement. 

John Thompson - Guest Lecturer, University of Chicago & Visiting Researcher, Field Museum
John is a retired department chair, science team leader and biology instructor at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy.  He currently is a guest lecturer at the University of Chicago and a visiting researcher at the Field Museum. Previously, he has consulted with schools across the USA and Asia (India and Korea), served as a writer for the Science Standards in Illinois, Chicago and Florida. He also hosts workshops for middle school children at the Center for Talent Development at Northwestern University.

Sunday, February 24th 2pm

Green Chicago: Explore Your Environment, Bust Myths & Get Your Hands Dirty 

Jenny Deller - Writer-Director-Producer, Future Weather

Kelly A. Borden - Senior Educator for Citizen Science at Adler Planetarium

Kelly A. Borden is an archaeologist by training but an educator by passion.  After completing a BA in anthropology at SUNY Binghamton and an MA in Public Archaeology at University College London, she decided to pursue a career in museum education.  Currently she works as an educator in the Adler Planetarium's citizen science department as part of the team developing online citizen science projects for zooniverse.org.

Kristen Pratt - Program Coordinator, Chicago Conservation Corps

Kristen coordinates the Chicago Conservation Corps (C3) at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.  C3 recruits, trains, and supports Chicago residents who plan and implement community-based environmental service projects; the current volunteer base includes students and teachers from more than 80 Chicago Public Schools and more than 450 adult volunteers. 

Kate Sackman - Founder & President, EcoMyths Alliance

Kate Sackman is the founder and president of EcoMyths Alliance, a non-profit that busts environmental myths to inspire people to live more sustainably.  EcoMyths™ works with over 20 institutional partners, including the Field Museum of Chicago, Chicago Botanic Garden, and the National Wildlife Federation, to identify common misconceptions about nature and conservation.   

Monday, February 25th 6pm

Strategies for Success: Independent Filmmaking Outside of NYC & LA

Jenny Deller - Writer-Director-Producer of Future Weather

Ruth Leitman - Founder of Ruthless Films, Professor at Columbia College
Leitman has a BFA in Film and Photography from University of the Arts in Philadelphia and has been teaching filmmaking for 14 years. Through her company Ruthless Films, she has directed 6 feature length documentary films that have received funding from Rockefeller Foundation, Paul Robeson Fund, TribeCa Film Institute, Fledgling Fund and Illinois Humanities Council. Her film Alma (1998), won the Documentary Feature Jury Prize at Hamptons Film Festival, screened at IDFA, SXSW, DGA and Whitney Biennial. Her film Lipstick & Dynamite (2005) premiered at TriBeCa Film Festival and Hot Docs. It won the Documentary Storytelling Prize at Nantucket Film Festival, was released theatrically by Koch Lorber Films and broadcast on SHOWTIME. Lipstick was featured on Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien and NPR’s Fresh Air and Morning Edition. Leitman wrote Fordson, which has garnered numerous festival awards. Most recently Tony & Janina’s American Wedding (2010) an immigration story, premiered at Chicago International Film Festival winning a Jury Prize. Freelance clients include: The Redwalls, Neko Case, Ronald McDonald House, Safe Humane Chicago, American Trial Lawyers Association, and Sallie Mae Student Loans. Early work as a photographer includes: Rolling Stone, SPIN, Esquire, Working Mother, Newsweek, Outkast, Black Crowes, REM and Indigo Girls. Leitman is in development on a 1950’s fiction feature film, The Pin Down Girl, about the pioneers of women’s wrestling.

Brad Gyori - Tribeca Flashpoint Academy
Brad Gyori has been a film and broadcast instructor since 2007. He also has over 20 years experience writing and producing for such networks as MTV, VH1, FX, E! and HBO online.For ten years, he was the head writer of the Emmy award winning Talk Soup. Brad has been nominated for five Emmys and holds a PhD in Rhetoric and Composition from Arizona State University. His research interests include new media rituals and project-based learning models.

Claire Connelly - Line Producer, IFP Chicago Board Member

Tuesday, February 26th 7:45pm

Science in Society: Impacting Our Daily Lives

Jenny Deller - Writer, Director, Producer, Future Weather

Bethany Hubbard - Publications Editor, Science in Society

A graduate of Northwestern University's theatre program with a Masters of Science in Journalism from the Medill School of Journalism, Bethany is passionate about using storytelling and art to better communicate science to the public. She currently serves as Publications Editor for Science in Society, a Northwestern University office for science outreach and public engagement. 

Jennifer Brandel - Creator/Lead Producer of “Curious City” on WBEZ

Jennifer Brandel is an independent reporter and creator of WBEZ's Curious City - a crowd-powered project that unravels the everyday mysteries of Chicago and the region. Brandel has served as a general assignment reporter for WBEZ’s News Desk and reported dozens of feature pieces WBEZ as well as national outlets like Day to Day, Weekend America, Latino USA and Interfaith Voices. She's also assistant produced for Wait! Wait! Don’t Tell Me!, blogged for Transom.org, and served as talent for fictional pieces aired on the CBC's WireTap and Love and Radio. 

Julie Marie Lemon - Program Director of Arts/Science Initiative, University of Chicago
Julie Marie Lemon is the Program Director of the Arts|Science Initiative in the Provost Office and the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts at the University of Chicago. Lemon created the Arts|Science Initiative in 2010, building a platform to explore new modes of artistic and scientific production and inquiry within the University and beyond. Lemon brings a wealth of experience in developing arts programs with a particular focus on visual arts and arts education and a strong knowledge of the University’s science community.  With degrees from both the University of Chicago and the University of Wisconsin, Julie Marie has worked with the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, the American International School of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, the Chicago Architecture Foundation, and the Walker Art Center.

Wednesday, February 27th 6pm

Science in Society: Getting Kids Started Early

Jenny Deller - Writer-Director-Producer, Future Weather

Allison Price - Director of Education at Lincoln Park Zoo

Allison Price, Director of Education, specializes in the interpretation of scientific concepts to non-scientific audiences.  She holds an M.S. in Science and Technology Studies from Virginia Tech where her work focused on science and technology journalism and aerospace history. In addition to her eight years working in various informal learning institutions, Allison spent five years as the Deputy Editor of the Association for Women in Science Magazine and five years as an assistant coach for a local high school competitive speech team.  She joined the staff of Lincoln Park Zoo in 2010 as the Manager of Guest Engagement, transitioning into her role as Director of Education in 2012.

Olivia Cohn - Citizen Science Research Coodinator, SustainUS & Chicago Climate Action
In her current role, Olivia Cohn is managing climate change mitigation and adaptation performance measurement for Chicago’s sustainability plan, the Chicago Climate Action Plan (CCAP), for the Global Philanthropy Partnership consulting to the City of Chicago Mayor’s Office of Sustainability. Through this work, she supports general City sustainability efforts; develops a CCAP continuous improvement strategic vision; assesses greenhouse gas reduction and performance indicator data; presents climate mitigation and preparedness progress; prepares performance templates for the public, partners, and oversight; and collaborates with climate change planning and action stakeholders and thought leaders.  In addition, Olivia serves as Citizen Science Coordinator for SustainUS, a national non-profit organization that represents U.S. young voices in the international environmental dialogue. In this role, she directs a citizen science research competition and serves on the SustainUS Steering Committee. Previously, Olivia worked for the State of Michigan’s Department of Environmental Quality, supporting environmental education initiatives and developing cross-cutting policies for the Michigan Climate Action Council.

Christine Chirchirillo - Early Elementary Science Partnership Educator, The Chicago Academy of Sciences & Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Christine currently holds a position at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum as the Early Elementary Science Partnership Educator.  She relies on her education and experience in informal learning institutions to provide on and off-site programming related to science and nature. Christine received a M.A. in Conservation Education Management from George Mason University (2012) and a B.A. in Family Services from Purdue University (2005). Prior to joining the education department at the museum, she worked at John G. Shedd Aquarium (2006-2010) as an educator sharing her knowledge in biological science, aquatic systems and animals. Christine also worked as a lead teacher and classroom assistant at Fowler House, Purdue Child Care Program in West Lafayette, Indiana (2003-2005).​

Thursday, February 28th, 8:15pm

Empowering Youth: Make Their Surroundings Come Alive

Jenny Deller - Writer-Director-Producer, Future Weather

Alison Paul - Urban Conservation Educator, The Field Museum

Alison manages the Calumet Environmental Education Program (CEEP) for The Field Museum's division of Environment, Culture, and Conservation (ECCo). Alison and the CEEP team work with 130 teachers to engage over 3,000 4th-12th students in the Calumet region annually. By working in partnership with schools, non-profit organizations, and land-owning agencies, CEEP uses a place-based education model to get teachers and students excited about nature in their own back yard as well as active on local urban conservation issues.  

Allison Price - Director of Education at Lincoln Park Zoo

See above.

John Thompson - Guest Lecturer, University of Chicago & Visiting Researcher, Field Museum

See above.

Tornados, Floods, Droughts...Oh My

A volunteer looks for survivors in the rubble of a home in Joplin, MO.

Source: The Independent

As an avid moviegoer, I’ve seen my fair share of disaster movies: good, bad and everywhere inbetween. What I’ve been lucky not too see are these scenarios enacted in real life. Before this year, I thought that if I stayed in the Northeast, the worst weather I’d experience is the yearly blizzard. Lately I’m thinking about stocking up on water and supplies before a regional weather disaster hits.

In the last six months, the United States has experienced town-leveling tornadoes in the mid-west and south; hurricanes in the east coast and gulf states; out-of-control wildfires in the southwest; intense drought throughout the mid and western part of the country; hail the size of baseballs in the Sunshine state; devastating flooding of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, and what some have called “snowpocalypse” which blanked states coast-to-coast.

Off the Future Weather clock, I never gave much thought to the issue of climate change. That was before all of this disastrous weather. Lately I’ve had one question on my mind: is global warming responsible?

Climate has been the key word for years now, but climate is merely the long-term weather pattern. At what point will the climate of the future be the weather of today? Are these extreme storm patterns going to be the new norm? More importantly, is there anything we can do about it?

After some research, I found that I am not the only one with these questions; articles have been cropping up in outlets from the Huffington Post to The New Yorker. I had expected the scientific community to be full of data pointing to global warming as a cause. Instead, I discovered that research is still in its infancy and that scientists are working to detect the “fingerprint” of global warming in specific extreme weather events. Despite a lack of irrefutable evidence, research has shown that there is a connection. Even though many of these disasters are naturally occurring phenomena, their frequency and intensity has been increasing as a result of higher levels of greenhouse gases (global warming).

The National Research Council advises that we take action now to reduce the level of these greenhouse gases in order to manage the risk and uncertainties. They urge governments to enforce stricter regulations on corporations, companies to increase their commitment to environmental responsibility, and average citizens to raise their level of awareness. By managing the potential for crisis, we will be better prepared to adapt to climate change. Continuing on our current path will leave us more vulnerable to devastation in the future. It is better to face this problem now. After all, Noah built the ark before it started to rain.