4 Chicago women answer 4 questions about “reel” life in male-dominated film industry.

During the recent Polar Vortex, I moderated a panel discussion following the Chicagoland screening of two important movies made by women:

1. An Acceptable Loss, producer Colleen Griffen’s new political thriller featuring Jamie Lee Curtis as the President of the United States and Tika Sumpter as her National Security Advisor, and
2. Runner, actress Clare Cooney’s directorial debut. (Now available: https://youtu.be/0PKtGVJEpdg)

Jamie Lee Curtis and Tika Sumpter in An Acceptable Loss (IFC Films).

Clare Cooney in the award-winning, 12-minute short film, Runner — her directorial debut. (Shane Simmons)

Following our panel discussion, I wanted to learn more about why women are often iced out of key roles — behind and in front of the camera— and how they’re changing the face of this male-dominated industry.

So, for a down-to-earth take on how it really feels in film today, here’s some insight from four women with Midwestern roots: Producer Colleen Griffen, Actress Ali Burch, Director Clare Cooney and Documentary Film Director/Producer Sarah Moshman.

1. What’s been your overall experience as a woman in this industry, and what do you want girls to know about…