The 20th Annual Chicago International Reel Shorts Fest (2023)

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  • Film projector with a reel, framed photo of an audience watching a film, and a photo of a pianist.

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  • Audience in a theater applauds. Black and white. People of various ages and ethnicities.

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  • Person taking a photo of a group of six men posing in front of a Reel Shorts banner.

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  • Audience in a theater, watching a performance. People are sitting in seats and looking forward. Black and white.

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  • Four men posing at a

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  • Panel of six people standing in front of a wall, one speaking into a microphone.

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  • Panel of people on stage facing an audience, likely a film screening or Q&A session, in a theater.

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  • Panel of four speakers on a stage with an audience; two men, an older woman with a microphone, and a man with glasses.

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  • Panel of people speaking on a stage to an audience in a theater. Black and white.

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  • Four men posing at a

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  • People outside a two-story brick building at night; lit entranceway.

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  • Black and white photo of a building at night with open doorway, lit windows, and person entering.

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  • A man speaks to an audience in a theater. Black and white photo.

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  • Audience watching a film in a cinema. Screen shows a black and white animated scene.

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  • Three men stand on a stage. One speaks into a microphone. All wear lanyards with badges.

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  • Panel discussion at the Chicago International Reel Short Film Festival. Audience facing a panel of speakers.

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  • Audience seated in a dimly lit auditorium. Many people are looking forward, some are talking quietly.

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  • Chicago Reel Shorts sign in a storefront window at night. People visible inside.

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  • Three people standing; a woman speaking into a microphone, a man looking at her, another man on the left.

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  • Panel of six people on stage in front of an audience, speaking with a microphone. Black and white.

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  • Panel discussion at a film festival. Speakers on stage, audience seated, black and white photo.

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  • Four men on a stage at a film event, one speaking into a microphone. Audience seated in front.

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  • Three men on a stage; one speaks into a microphone. Black and white photo.

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  • Panel of four people standing in front of a screen, speaking at an event. Audience in foreground.

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Three people at a Reel Shorts International Film Festival event. Smiling, standing in front of a backdrop.
Panel discussion: four speakers in front of audience. One speaker holds a microphone, others look on. Black and white photo.
Audience in a theater, watching a performance. People are sitting in seats and looking forward. Black and white.
Four people on a stage, two men holding a microphone, one speaking. Black and white photo.
Black and white photo of a panel on stage with audience in chairs. A man speaks into a microphone, others stand listening.
Audience watches a film on a large screen, black and white, featuring a man speaking.
A crowded room, possibly a gallery, with people looking at artwork; black and white.
Film projector with a reel, framed photo of an audience watching a film, and a photo of a pianist.
Four men on a stage at a film event, one speaking into a microphone. Audience seated in front.
People gathered at an event with a backdrop and logo, one wearing a jacket and cap, others smiling.
Panel of six people on stage at a film festival, facing an audience.
Black and white photo of a building at night with open doorway, lit windows, and person entering.
Panel of six people on stage facing an audience in a theater. Black and white photo.
Panel discussion at a film festival. Speakers on stage, audience seated, black and white photo.
Four black and white photos of diverse groups of people, smiling at a film festival.
Poster for Chicago REEL Shorts Film Fest featuring a person in front of Chicago skyline.
Man on stage speaking to an audience in a theater.
Three people standing on a stage at an event. A man holds a microphone, the others smile, looking towards the audience.
Panel of four speakers at a presentation, standing in front of a white screen, audience in foreground, all in black and white.
Three men pose for a photo at an event. Black and white, one wears a hat and vest, center man smiles, right man has a jacket.
People on stage, likely a panel, speaking to an audience. One person holds a microphone and another takes a photo. Black and white.
Panel discussion with speakers on stage in front of an audience at a film festival.
Audience in a dark theater, watching something. People are seated and looking forward, with various expressions.
Panel of four people standing in front of a screen, speaking at an event. Audience in foreground.
People mingling in an art gallery. Mostly men, some wearing jackets and hats, viewing artwork on the walls.
Panel of four speakers on stage in front of a white wall. One is speaking into a microphone. Audience in the foreground.
A group of six people standing in a line against a white wall, likely at an event.
Audience watches a man speaking onstage at a film screening event.
Panel of six people standing on a stage in front of an audience; black and white photo.
Audience in theater: diverse people watch a performance, focused on stage, black and white photo.
Three men on a stage; one speaks into a microphone. Black and white photo.
Audience in a theater watches a speaker on a stage. Black and white.
Panel of people on a stage facing an audience. A man speaks into a microphone. Black and white.
Audience in a darkened auditorium. People seated, some with focused expressions, listening.
Panel of six people standing in front of a wall, one speaking into a microphone.
Two women smiling, arms around each other, posing in front of a
Group of people posing, mostly smiling, at an event with a backdrop that reads
Person taking a photo of a group of six men posing in front of a Reel Shorts banner.
Audience in a theater applauds. Black and white. People of various ages and ethnicities.
Panel of five people, one speaking into a microphone. Black and white photo.
A man and woman pose in front of a
Group of five people posing for a photo in front of a
Audience in a dimly lit room, focused on the event. Several people in the chairs.
Panel of six people on stage in front of an audience, speaking with a microphone. Black and white.
Audience in a theater, watching attentively. People of various ages and appearances. Black and white.
A group of seven people on stage at a film festival, facing an audience. Black and white.
Audience watches panelists on a stage at a film festival. Panelists stand in front of a screen.
Panel of people on stage facing an audience, likely a film screening or Q&A session, in a theater.
Panel of men on stage speaking to an audience, likely a film screening Q&A. Black and white.
Panel of people speaking on a stage to an audience in a theater. Black and white.
Man at film festival posing in front of a banner. He wears a button-down shirt and a lanyard with a badge.
Two men pose at a film festival, embracing. Both wear jackets and jeans; one smiles, the other smokes. Festival banner backdrop.
Three people pose together in front of a backdrop. Man on left wears a cap and jacket; man in center has glasses. Woman on right smiles.
Audience watching a presentation in a darkened theater. A person stands at the front. Black and white photo.
Audience in a dark cinema watches a presentation. A speaker gestures at the screen.
People outside a brick building at night. Door and windows are lit, figures are gathered outside.
Audience in a dark theater watches something. Faces show varying expressions; some look forward, some are on their phones.
People standing in a hallway near an entrance. Many are wearing winter clothes. Some are talking and smiling.
Black and white exterior of a building at night, with a lit window and front door.
Panel of people on a stage, speaking to an audience in a darkened theater. Black and white.
A panel of people on stage answers audience questions at a film festival.
A man speaks into a microphone on a stage to a seated audience in a theater.
Audience in a theater watches a speaker on stage with a screen behind them. Banner on left.
Audience watching a black and white animated film on a large screen in a cinema.
Group of seven people posing at a red carpet event, in front of a backdrop, all smiling.
Two men at Chicago film festival; one in a CAT hat, both smiling, posed in front of a festival banner.
A man and woman smile, posing at a Chicago film festival. Man in sparkly shirt, woman with a fur wrap.
Flyer for a film,
Three men standing near a screen; one speaks into a microphone. Black and white photo.
Panel discussion at Chicago International Reel Shorts, audience facing stage. People are on stage and listening.
Panel of four people speaking at a microphone, facing an audience, in a conference setting.
Three men stand before an audience. One holds a microphone, speaking. The setting appears to be an event.
Audience watches panel discussion on stage with several speakers; indoor setting.
Panel of six people with a crowd, at the International Film Festival.
Panel of four people on a stage with an audience, speaking at a film event.
Group at film festival: speaker with mic, panelists, and audience. White backdrop with festival logo.
Panelists at a film festival speak to an audience. The stage has a backdrop with logos. Black and white.
Panel at a film festival; four people on a stage talking to an audience.
Audience in a theater, seated, watching a presentation. Black and white photo, dim lighting.
Panel of people on stage speaking to audience in a theater.
Chicago Reel Shorts sign lit in a doorway, visible through glass. People and a string instrument are inside.
Man in glasses speaking into a microphone, gesturing. Wearing striped jacket, standing in front of a blank wall.
Panel discussion at event. Six people on stage, one speaking into a microphone. Audience in foreground.
Three people at an event. A woman with a microphone speaks, while two men look on.
Panel of people on stage at an event, facing audience.
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Chicago International Reel Shorts Film Fest logo.
Poster for Chicago Reel Shorts film festival. A person holding a camera, in front of a cityscape. Teal, red, and brown colors.
Screenings and Awards

Our 20th annual fest is a wrap!
We'd like to thank all the filmmakers and audience members for a successful festival.  


The 20th Annual
Chicago International REEL Shorts Fest

This Year's fest featured the best short films from throughout the world.  Comedies, action, drama, Horror, Demented, arts,  we are showed a little of everything!




 
20th Chicago International Reel Shorts Awards

Audience Choice Awards 
Catherine & Michael
The Messenger
They See Something
The Lonely Portrait
Nightcap

Best Short Animation
COVID Apocalypse 

Best Drama
Something New

Best Foreign Animation
Roald

Best Documentary Short
Hope in Uganda

Best Horror Short Film
GANCHO

Best Comedy Short
I Keep Bumping Into Candy Maldonado

 Best Suspense Short
Voices

Best Foreign Comedy
[Insert Short Film Title]

Best Web Series
Strange Creatures of the Adult Wilderness

Best Chicago Short
An Outfit 

Best Foreign Short Film
Steel Forest 

Special Jury Award
Catching the Bus

Best of the Fest
Get Away

Movie poster for
Chicago International Reel Shorts Film Fest logo.
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  • Man and woman pose in front of a Chicago Reel Shorts Film Fest banner. They smile, he in a suit, she in a jacket.

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  • Group of diverse people posing at an event with a

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  • Group of five people posing for a photo in front of a banner.

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  • Man takes photo of group smiling in front of Reel Shorts banner. Black and white.

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  • Five people on a panel, one speaking into a microphone. They are standing in front of a blank wall.

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  • Audience applauds in a theater. People of diverse ages and appearances in dark setting.

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  • Audience in theater: diverse group watching. Some wearing masks, expressions of enjoyment. Black and white.

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  • Audience in a darkened theater watching something; people of various ages in the seats, looking towards a stage.

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  • Audience in a dark room. People seated, watching something. One man signing to the side.

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  • Group of people on stage, one speaking into a microphone. Black and white photo.

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  • A panel of six people on stage with a person speaking into a microphone.

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  • Panelists on stage with microphone, addressing an audience in a theater.

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  • Panelists on stage at a film festival, facing an audience. Black and white.

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  • A black and white photo of a seated audience in an auditorium. People are watching a presentation.

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  • Crowd of people at an indoor gathering, possibly an art gallery opening, in a room with art on the walls.

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  • A panel of people stands onstage speaking to an audience. The event appears to be a film festival.

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  • Black and white shot: Film reel and projector near framed movie scene of audience and stage.

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  • A panel of six people stand on a stage, speaking to an audience in a theater. Black and white.

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  • Audience watches panel of men on stage; film festival, black and white.

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  • Audience watches a movie on a big screen; actor, black and white; dim theater, focus on the film.

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  • Panel of people on stage speaking to audience in a theater. Black and white.

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  • Four men stand on a stage, one with a microphone, addressing an audience. Black and white photo.

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  • Panel of men on stage, speaking in front of an audience in a dark room.

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  • Audience in a dark cinema watches a presentation. A speaker gestures at the screen.

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  • Audience watching a presentation in a dark auditorium; presenter on stage. Black and white photo.

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  • Panel discussion onstage, moderated, addressing an audience in a theater. Black and white.

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  • Audience in a theater watches a presentation; a man points at the screen. Black and white photo.

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  • Panel of four people speaking at a seated audience. Black and white photo.

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  • Two women smiling and posing at the Chicago Reel Shorts Film Festival.

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  • Man with a nametag smiles in front of a backdrop advertising the Chicago International Reel Shorts Film Fest.

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  • Three men pose for a photo at an event. Black and white. One man in a cap and vest, another with glasses, and the last with gelled hair.

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  • Three people pose for a photo in front of a backdrop. A man in a jacket, another in glasses, and a woman in a dress.

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  • Two men posing together at an event. One with a beard and baseball cap, the other with a cigarette.

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  • Black and white wall display:

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  • Four men pose together in front of a REEL SHORTS backdrop. They wear casual attire and smile.

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  • People at an event with a step-and-repeat backdrop, some smiling. Black and white photo.

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  • People outside a brick building at night. Door and windows are lit, figures are gathered outside.

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  • People standing in a hallway near an entrance. Many are wearing winter clothes. Some are talking and smiling.

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  • Audience in a dark theater watches something. Faces show varying expressions; some look forward, some are on their phones.

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  • Audience watching a performance; diverse ages, expressions, and clothing. Dark theater, focus on seated individuals.

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  • Three men stand on stage, one speaking into a mic, gesturing. Black and white.

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  • Panel of people on a stage, speaking to an audience in a darkened theater. Black and white.

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  • Black and white exterior of a building at night, with a lit window and front door.

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  • Panel of six people standing on stage at a film festival, facing an audience seated in chairs.

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  • Brick building entrance at night, lit doorway with person entering. Window shows string lights and signage.

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  • Panel of six people standing on a stage facing audience in a theater. Black and white.

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  • A panel of people on stage answers audience questions at a film festival.

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  • Audience watches a speaker on stage at a film festival. Black and white photo.

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  • A man speaks into a microphone on a stage to a seated audience in a theater.

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  • Audience in a theater watches a speaker on stage with a screen behind them. Banner on left.

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  • Audience watching a black and white animated film on a large screen in a cinema.

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  • A man speaks into a microphone on a stage to an audience seated in a theater.

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  • Poster for the Chicago International REEL Shorts Film Fest, featuring a person in front of a Chicago skyline, celebrating 20 years.

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  • Two men at Chicago film festival; one in a CAT hat, both smiling, posed in front of a festival banner.

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  • Group of seven people posing at a red carpet event, in front of a backdrop, all smiling.

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  • Flyer for a film,

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  • A man and woman smile, posing at a Chicago film festival. Man in sparkly shirt, woman with a fur wrap.

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  • A panel of six people in a room, talking. Mostly facing forward, some with microphones.

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  • Three men standing near a screen; one speaks into a microphone. Black and white photo.

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  • Panel of four people, one with a microphone, speaking to an audience against a white wall.

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  • Panel discussion at Chicago International Reel Shorts, audience facing stage. People are on stage and listening.

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  • Panel of four people speaking at a microphone, facing an audience, in a conference setting.

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  • Three men stand before an audience. One holds a microphone, speaking. The setting appears to be an event.

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  • Audience watches panel on stage. Men and women stand, some gesturing. Black and white.

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  • Three men standing in front of a backdrop at a film festival. One holds a microphone.

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  • Panel of filmmakers on a stage answering questions from a seated audience at a film festival.

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  • Group of people onstage; one takes a photo with a camera, others face the audience. Black and white.

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  • People at a film festival. A man speaks into a mic, flanked by others, with a

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  • Four people stand onstage, speaking at an event in front of an audience. Black and white.

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  • Panel discussion at film festival with five people on stage, audience in front.

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  • Panel discussion at the Reel Shorts Film Fest: People on stage addressing a seated audience. Black and white.

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  • Panelists on stage at film festival, speaking into microphone to audience. Black and white.

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  • A crowded art gallery opening. People mingle, looking at artwork. Black and white.

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  • Audience seated in a dark auditorium, focused on an unseen speaker. Black and white photo.

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  • Panel discussion at a theater. Speakers in front of a screen, addressing the audience in the seats.

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  • Man speaking into microphone, wearing glasses, striped blazer, standing in front of a white wall.

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  • Black and white photo of a storefront window with a lighted sign that reads

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  • Three people at an event. A woman speaks into a mic, smiling, while two men stand by, smiling.

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  • Panel discussion at a festival. Six people on stage, a man speaks into a mic. Audience members in foreground.

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  • Audience in a theater watching a performance. People of diverse ages and ethnicities seated, attentive.

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  • A lighted sign that reads

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  • A panel of people stands on a stage answering questions in front of an audience.

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  • Panel of four people on stage, speaking to an audience. Black and white photo.

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  • Panel of four people on a stage, facing audience. Two men and two women stand in front of a large screen.

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  • Black and white photo collage: people at film festival, posing for photos, smiling, standing in front of a festival backdrop.

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  • Panel discussion at a film festival: audience watching speakers on a stage. Black and white photo.

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  • Panel of speakers addressing an audience; all standing in front of a screen.

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