CHICAGO, Oct. 30, 2017

For the 8th year, MOSTRA Brazilian Film Series will bring feature and short films, documentaries, panel discussions and Brazilian filmmakers to a diverse audience in Chicago. The largest Brazilian film festival in the Midwest will take place this year from November 3-18, 2017, in major educational and cultural institutions in the Chicago area. As in previous years, all screenings during the festival are free (except for the opening and closing night fundraiser events).

MOSTRA is a unique opportunity to learn about Brazilian culture, history and social issues through outstanding film productions and engaging conversations. This year, the event will host a free panel discussion on youth after the screening of Not Even In a Wildest Dream (Nunca me Sonharam), a documentary featuring the challenges public education faces in Brazil. Specialists, filmmakers and audience members will engage in a rich conversation about youth in Brazil and the U.S.

16 days, 27 films, six filmmakers

MOSTRA VIII will present 27 films in total, of which 11 are feature films. The Brazilian entry for the “Best Foreign Language Film” at the last Academy Awards, Little Secret (O Pequeno Segredo), will open the festival (11/3), and the drama Soulbound (Teus Olhos Meus), the story of a young musician who finds happiness in the unlikeliest place, was selected for the closing night party (11/12). Six filmmakers will join the festival to speak with the audience after select screenings.

About MOSTRA

Founded by Ariani Friedl in 2010, the annual event is presented by the Illinois – São Paulo Chapter of Partners of the Americas, and has as its motto: “Brazilian Films with a Social Conscience.” MOSTRA screens movies in educational and cultural institutions in the greater Chicago area and other cities in the Midwest to foster conversations about social issues, culture, politics, history and the environment among the academic community, filmmakers, and socially conscious individuals.

When: From Friday, November 3, to Saturday, November 18, 2017
Where: Multiple venues and times
For more information on the program, please check the festival website and Facebook page: MOSTRA websiteand http://www.facebook.com/mostrafilmseries