Whether streamed on a phone or projected in a grand movie house, a great story will always be a great story. Distinctive film and TV is what drives us.
Why? Chicago is talent rich—an acting mecca with extensive production resources. Chicago is also a beauty with compelling locations (and a beast when you need something grittier). And Chicago is a willing business partner. We’re proud to have had a leading role in the city’s thriving film industry, and we continue to be rewarded with enduring professional relationships.
Surprises make life interesting. But with our 40 years of combined experience, we’ve seen and handled challenges. Take comfort: we weren’t born yesterday, but we understand what’s coming. We’re ready to meet the expectations of modern audiences.
Joe Bob Briggs, The Movie Channel
Deadline.com
BBC World News
Brittany Frederick, StarPulse
Kevin Reilly, Chairman of Entertainment at Fox
Rolling Stone September 2016
Isolated over the Christmas holiday by her own anxiety, a young college student finds herself responsible for a stranger's troubled children as she struggles with the unsettling connection between her own unraveling mental stability and the cold, quiet dark of their broken home.
Colleen Griffen wrote, directed, and produced the mockumentary web series, boyband, which was acquired by Fullscreen and Audience Network in May of 2016. She also wrote and produced her feature directorial debut, The Cold and the Quiet in 2013, which won both Best Narrative and Best Direction at the Women’s Independent Film Festival in L.A. In addition, Griffen has produced three other feature films—An Acceptable Loss (2018) starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Tika Sumpter for Joe Chappelle, Already Dead (2007) for Sony Pictures and the award-winning Thieves Quartet (1994) for Joe Chappelle. A graduate of Northwestern University (M.F.A.) and Washington University in St. Louis (B.A.), Griffen has taught film at both Northwestern and Columbia College in Chicago and continues to serve as a film panelist and lecturer.
After starting his career as a commercial director, Joe Chappelle wrote and directed his first independent feature, the award-winning Thieves Quartet in 1994. For the last 15 years, he has worked primarily in television. His credits include producer/director on CSI: Miami, co-executive producer/director on the ubiquitously acclaimed The Wire, executive producer/director on Fringe and executive producer/director on Chicago Fire. In 2018, Chappelle wrote and directed the independent feature film, An Acceptable Loss, starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Tika Sumpter with Colleen Griffen as producer. Most recently, Chappelle serves as executive producer/director on Godfather of Harlem. Premiering September 29, 2019 on EPIX, Godfather of Harlem stars and is executive produced by Oscar® winner Forest Whitaker. Chappelle holds an M.F.A. from Northwestern University and a B.A. from George Washington University.
Godfather of Harlem Is the Rare Gangster Epic With Something New to Say
Time
‘Godfather of Harlem’ Review: A Clash of Mafia and Civil-Rights Titans
Rolling Stone
FALL 2019 TV SURVEY: 40 Most anticipated new Shows
Rottentomatoes
Swizz Beatz Wants to Cook Up 'Global' Vibes For Upcoming EPIX Show 'Godfather of Harlem'
Billboard
TV Review: ‘Godfather of Harlem’
Variety
The 20 TV shows we’re most excited about this fall
Los Angeles Times
Fall brings new shows, streamers, chance of bigger TV tabs
Associated Press
'Godfather Of Harlem' Review: A Mobster Period Piece With A Modern Sensibility
Forbes
TV review: Godfather of Harlem
Joblo Movie Network
Joe Chappelle and Colleen Griffen’s New Thriller Reveals the Beating Heart of Chicago
Air Chicago Magazine
Jamie Lee Curtis, Tika Sumpter to film Chicago political thriller from 'Chicago Fire' alum
Chicago Tribune
Jamie Lee Curtis, Tika Sumpter, Ben Tavassoli to Star in Political Thriller ‘The Pages’
Variety
Tika Sumpter, Jamie Lee Curtis to Star in Political Thriller 'The Pages'
Hollywood Reporter
Tika Sumpter & Jamie Lee Curtis To Topline Political Thriller ‘The Pages’
Deadline Hollywood
Hollywood By the Lake?
New City Film
Dynamic Duo – Couple shares their experiences in Chicago film scene after attending Northwestern
The Daily Northwestern
Northwestern Alumnus and Director Joe Chappelle Leads Class on Directing
Northwestern School of Communications
Becoming a Movie Writer and Director in her 50s: Colleen’s Story
Next Act For Women
Colleen Griffen on How the Web Series Phenomenon Was Born
StarPulse
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