By ALLISON MATYUS
Staff Writer
The eighth annual Chicago International Movies & Music Festival (CIMMfest) is expanding to Hyde Park in April.
CIMMfest dubs itself as a non-profit arts organization dedicated to bringing together filmmakers, musicians, artists and audiences from around the globe as an interactive cultural event.
The fest takes place from April 13-17 and Hyde Park venues have been added to the diverse schedule to expand the fest even further throughout the city. Harper Theatre, 5238 S. Harper Ave.; University Church, 5655 S. University Ave., and The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave., are all on the bill to host special events and screenings during event.
Sabina Bhasin, who does programming and public relations for CIMMfest, said more venues might be added as the dates come closer.
“We hope our presence in Hyde Park this year lets everyone know that CIMMfest is here to support artists across the city, and that they should come along and join us in the future,” she said.
On Saturday, April 16, The Promontory will host world-renowned DJ and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominee, Afrika Bambaataa as part of the fest’s music and multimedia line-up. The rest of the line-up was released on March 1.
According to Bhasin, more than 20,000 people attended the fest last year and she said that number is likely to grow this year.
“Even though CIMMfest started in Wicker Park, our goal has always been to be a platform for the entire Chicago artist community,” Bhasin said. “Hyde Park has historically been one of Chicago’s most diverse and richest arts and cultural hubs and continues to be to this day, so we want to help spread the word to the international community.”
Filmmakers and musicians from Canada, Ireland, Scotland and Germany are participating in the festival. Festival passes start at $79 at cimmfest.org.
a.matyus@hpherald.com