By Brian Hieggelke

The Chicago International Movies & Music Festival’s recently concluded sixth edition seemed to push the still-young festival up toward a new level, as its connection to South by Southwest, both actual (SXSW co-founder Louis Black sits on its board) and spiritual is well-timed in a city increasingly fancying itself as a Midwest answer to Austin’s big event, with a plan for a multi-genre summit forming for next spring.

Though the screenings and concerts remain the center event, the CIMMcon panels are an increasing focus, and the most likely to give the festival the gravitas it needs to break out as a national force. On a sunny Saturday afternoon, May 3, a heavy-duty panel of film industry professionals, including producer Steven A. Jones of Owen Films and Rich Moskal, director of the Chicago Film Office, discussed “Chicago Film Business: Beg, Borrow, or Build” in front of a nearly sold-out audience at the Chop House.

Here are some of the highlights, lowlights and suggestions offered up. Read More