Cineme/Chicago Soirée celebrated the creative art of filmmaking at The Geraghty

On July 18, 2026, Cineme/Chicago Soirée held a formal event at The Geraghty to raise money for its year-round programming. The upscale venue, located in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood, provided the perfect place for a night celebrating motion pictures.

Non-profit cultural organization Cinema/Chicago created the gala in dedication to the longest-running competitive film festival in North America, the Chicago International Film Festival.

As guests gathered in the front room, honorees walked a glamorous red carpet to answer questions and show their appreciation for the accolades.

Actor Ben Foster said, “I am incredibly touched to receive the Tour de Force Award and I am honored to be included in this as a fellow Midwesterner. This event celebrates film and it is a fundraiser to support the Chicago International Film Festival. It brings attention to young filmmakers and creates an environment for more people to make films.”

Foster reminisced about his role as Russell Corwin in the dramatic television show, Six Feet Under, stating, “That show made me think about identity and fluidity. Alan Ball created a series that asked questions, rather than giving out easy answers. It was quite an accomplishment.”

His latest film projects include Motor City, which will premiere in the US on July 24 and The Stunt Driver, where he plays Evel Knievel, scheduled for release in the fall. The talented performer also has Eugene O'Neill's film adaptation of Long Day's Journey Into Night with Ed Harris and Jessica Lange coming soon. He expressed gratitude with, “It is really nice to be working and I don't take any of this for granted.”

Artistic Achievement Award recipient Gillian Flynn gave sage writing advice on the carpet, saying, “It is not writing if someone is scrolling around or just doing research. They need to write and find time to sit down to do it. The writer is in charge of making it fun and readers can tell when a writer is enjoying themselves versus formulaic steps. Even if someone thinks they will never use something, they should still write it down. I had written two books before Gone Girl came along, so don't stop writing!”

Flynn received her master's degree from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism and other attendees had local ties to Chicago like filmmakers Alex Thompson and Kelly O'Sullivan, who took home the Vanguard Award.

O'Sullivan spoke candidly about feeling rewarded: “It can feel lonely when creating a film and we wondered if anyone would care about the film. To have this movie resonate with people means a lot as we go on.”

This led to her talking about the duo's latest work titled Mouse: “It's a 2002 period piece set in Arkansas, where I was born and raised. it is about female friendship and a mother/daughter relationship. It premiered in Berlin and I can't wait for more people to see it.”

Al Roker from NBC's Today morning program was hired as the emcee for the award ceremony. He chatted about his all-time favorite moment from the longtime gig, “I have been fortunate to have been on an iconic show that has given me so many opportunities to do so many different things. I am an amateur cartoonist and the one thing that touched me the most was interviewing Charles M. Schulz from the Peanuts. I spoke to him during the 50th anniversary and one other time after it was revealed that he had stage four terminal colorectal cancer. He asked me to do his final interview and that meant the world to me. It was bittersweet and difficult, but I wouldn't trade that for the world.”

When asked about how often he visits the Windy City, he explained, “I haven't been here for a while. This job is weird and it comes in spurts. For example, I am going home with my son tomorrow, I do the Today Show on Monday and then I come back to Chicago to speak at the Aspen Ideas: Climate conference next week. I want to return soon to see the Obama Presidential Center and I am hoping to get a ticket to that.”

Award-winning playwright Regina Taylor and Emmy-nominated actor Rainn Wilson were notable attendees at the fundraiser.

CIFF Artistic Director Mimi Plauché and Cinema/Chicago Managing Director Vivian Teng handed out trophies on the red carpet for photographs with the press before the formal presentation began.

Programmer for CIFF Sam Flancher mentioned, “We are in the thick of screening movies right now and we have some incredible films lined up for this year as always!”

For more information on the 62nd Chicago International Film Festival running October 14-25, 2026, visit chicagofilmfestival.com