Filmmaker Friday is a creative community that hosts monthly gatherings around the Chicago area to foster a place for creatives to meet, connect, and grow together.

Sign up for our newsletter and follow our Instagram page for updates and event announcements. Once you RSVP on Partiful for an event, your phone number is saved in our database, so you will receive SMS announcements when a new event is posted.

Events are typically announced as late as 6 days, and as early as 4 weeks from an event. We only publish RSVP links once the next upcoming event is the one we are actively promoting. This ensures there is no overlap between events and helps keep things organized. If you're looking for an RSVP link and don’t see one yet, it means the current event is still in focus—stay tuned, and we’ll share the link when the time is right!

Filmmaker Friday partners with various venues around Chicago, including the Chicago Cultural Center, CineCity Studios, Kinowerks, and other creative spaces. Each event announcement will specify the location.

We typically host at least one event per month, occasionally two events.

Once an event is announced, we post our Partiful link, which will allow you to respond yes, no or maybe to attending an event. No matter what, you sign up with your name and phone number, and your information is saved in our database so you will receive future event announcements automatically.

Yes! Filmmaker Friday events are free to attend, but RSVPs are required as space is limited.

We host networking events and panel discussion events. Networking events are simple, you show up and network, with no structure. Panel discussion events are networking events, with a structured and moderated panel discussion in the middle. A panel discussion will normally run 60-75 minutes, with networking before and after. Most of our events run 6-9pm.

Panels will feature industry professionals covering relevant topics to our industry. Past panels have covered topics like: Navigating film festivals, The future of AI in filmmaking, Post-production workflows, On-screen talent and casting, and Documentary filmmaking.

Filmmaker Friday has featured industry professionals, including directors, producers, editors, and executives from platforms like Netflix, HBO, National Geographic, and more.

Each of our venues have different capabilities when it comes to beverage and food consumption. Some events will have a bar with drinks available for purchase, other venues will have alcohol-free beverages available.

Filmmakers, creatives, producers, directors, actors & actresses, production assistants, videographers, editors, voice over actors, camera operators, drone pilots, writers, VFX specialists, photographers, sound mixers, screenwriters, creative directors, agency producers, executive producers, production designers, art directors, assistant directors, gaffers, grips, boom operators, best boy's, key grips, costume designers, makeup artists, hair stylists, special effects supervisors, stunt coordinators, colorists, and anyone else! Let us know if we missed your title :)

That means our event is full. We have certain venues that have a hard limit with their capacities. Unless someone responds 'no' to an event, you have to wait until you get on the guest list for an event to attend. Guests lists change as people's availability changes. If you can't make it, make sure you sign up faster for the next event to ensure you have a spot!

Yes, there is an option to add a +1 when you RSVP on our Partiful site.

Filmmaker Friday is a growing community, and volunteers are always appreciated. Send us a message on Instagram, or send us an email!

Filmmaker Friday is always open to ideas! Suggestions can be submitted through the website’s contact form or by reaching out via Instagram DMs. We carefully curate each panel discussion to ensure a strong balance of perspectives, expertise, and relevance to the event’s theme. Our panelists are selected based on the specific topics we develop for each event to maintain the high-quality standard that makes Filmmaker Friday a valuable experience for our audience. Each panel is carefully curated by the host, Armin Korsos.

Yes! Students are encouraged to come to our events to network, learn, and meet new people in the industry.