EDGEWATER — Andersonville-based Chicago Filmmakers is hoping a series of women-made documentaries will help the group raise enough money to finally make their move into a historic firehouse on Ridge Avenue in Edgewater.
The group bought the Ridge Fire House at 5714 North, built in 1928, early last year from the city for $36,000 and has been working since then to raise at least $600,000 to make extensive renovations in the landmark building.
The building had originally been appraised at $360,000.
Though the group had planned in May 2014 to have the money raised in about 8-12 months, it is still working to gain the money needed to move forward with construction.
To do so, the group is holding five documentary screenings — with all the films made by local women.
The fundraiser is sponsored by Loyola University's The Gannon Center for Women and Leadership and the School of Communication and will take place at the Damen Student Center Cinema at Loyola University, 6511 N. Sheridan Road throughout October and November.
The filmmakers, Mary Fishman, May Tchao, Carey Lundin, Pamela Sherrod Anderson and Ky Dickens, will be in attendance at the screenings for questions and comments after the show.
"These five films ... are a testament to Chicago's thriving documentary film scene, as each of the filmmakers bring their stories to light from a unique and nuanced perspective — stories that might otherwise have been passed over by mainstream media," the organization said in a statement.
The first showing is at 2:30 p.m. Sunday with a screening of "A Band of Sisters," by Mary Fishman.
Additional shows are as follows:
• Oct. 25, 2 p.m. "Spilled Water," by May Tchao
• Oct. 25, 3:30 p.m. "Jens Jenson The Living Green," by Carey Lundin
• Nov. 1, 2:30 p.m. "The Curators of Dixon School," by Pamela Sherrod Anderson
• Nov. 15, 2:30 p.m. "Sole Survivor," by Ky Dickens
Tickets for single screenings are $15, and a full series pass costs $50. For $100, movie-goers can see the full run of shows plus add a designated donation to "Women in Docs," organizers said.
Once the firehouse is renovated, the organization would use the building to offer weekly screenings of independent films and documentaries, as well as classes available to the public, the group previously told DNAinfo Chicago.
It also plans to add an elevator.
In September, the City Council approved a proposal by Ald. Harry Osterman (48th) to waive any permit fees for the group to build at the firehouse, in accordance with its landmark status.
Firefighters stopped using the building in 2008, and it has sat empty since.
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