Kiki is one of many films chosen by HRW to screen at its film-festival events in more than 20 cities worldwide. Each city selects the film(s) they will screen from the approximately 40 films chosen by festival staffers. Movies are chosen equally on their artistic merit and human-rights content.
The documentary follows seven people from the kiki scene, an LGBTQ youth artistic activist subculture, for four years as they prepare and perform at kiki ballroom competitions. The film also delves into their lives outside of performing.
Twiggy Pucci Garcon (co-writer and one of the subjects of the film) and Swedish filmmaker Sara Jordenö (co-writer and director) joined forces to make this documentary come to fruition.
An official selection in the U.S. documentary competition at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and winner of the Teddy Award for best documentary and essay film at Berlinale (Berlin International Film Festival), Kiki is slated to be shown at other film festivals worldwide in the coming months.
Kiki has been featured in Vanity Fair, The Atlantic, Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The Guardian and The Hollywood Reporter, among other publications.
A panel discussion will follow the screening with Garcon, Human Rights Watch Interim Advocacy Director Tico Almeida, community organizer and transgender activist Monica James and academic/activist/performer Julian K. Glover, with Out Magazine Editor-at-Large Zach Stafford moderating.
“Human Rights Watch Chicago is thrilled to host this irresistibly vibrant film, especially in this dark time for human rights,” HRW Chicago Development Officer Rachel Shrock told Windy City Times. “The Kiki community demands political power and happiness, and as they speak their truth to power, they inspire everyone to do the same.”
Stony Island Arts Bank is at 6760 S. Stony Island Ave. Seating for this free event is limited. Attendees are encourage to arrive early. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
For more on the film, visit KikiMovie.com.