The Chicago International Movies and Music Festival to be Held April 18-21

The Chicago International Movies & Music Festival, CIMMfest No. 5, the annual four-day showcase celebrating the inseparable connection between music and movies, will feature international film premieres, live concerts, visually stunning DJ/VJ sets, lively Q&A's, daring live score performances, exhibits, and more, in numerous venues centered around Chicago's Wicker Park and Logan Square neighborhoods, Thursday, April 18 - Sunday, April 21, 2013.

Among the highlights are two major retrospectives: CIMMPathy for The Stones, celebrating The Rolling Stones' 50 years of music on film including screenings of ten concert films and documentaries plus special guest appearances; and a special film section, conversation, and concert with Melvin Van Peebles, who will be in attendance and turns 80 this year. The native Chicago writer-actor-director is renowned for heralding a new era of African-American films with his Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song (1971). As well, Van Dyke Parks will headline a special "Evening with..." program featuring short films about Parks directed by his son Richard Parks, conversations about his life in music, and performances of his many classic songs.

New this year is the launch of CIMMCon, a dynamic professional and entrepreneurial industry conference, presented in association with Columbia College Chicago and the Engineering and Recording Society of Chicago (EARS). CIMMCon will offer compelling presentations from industry professionals, film icons, artist entrepreneurs, and music makers, including Keynote Speaker Martin Atkins (Ministry, Nine Inch Nails, Public image Limited, Killing Joke) renowned for his candor regarding the music business. This new conference promises unparalleled access to the people - past, present and future - who create, market, and disrupt the business of making music and movies. CIMMCon events will offer essential insights into the business, the personalities and the profession of music, film, and technology as a global phenomenon at a crossroads.

Along with over 70 films and videos from more than 20 countries, 2013 will see the expansion of the festival's live music section, presenting label showcases, curated concerts, and innovative live multimedia events including Manual Cinema, Sister Spit, and numerous live film scoring performances at participating venues.

"For the past four years in the springtime, CIMMfest has brought thousands of filmmakers, musicians, and their passionate fans, to theaters, galleries, clubs, and concert halls in Chicago's most eclectic, culturally vibrant neighborhoods. We are ecstatic about CIMMfest No. 5 and how the city has embraced our growing organization. Festival central runs along Milwaukee Avenue and the 'Blue Line' train from Wicker Park to Logan Square with many partner venues and satellite clubs and theaters. Expect film screenings, live concerts, presentations, and panels during the day, slamming concerts when the sun goes down. We strive to connect Chicago's vibrant cultural community in order to present the current as well as the past in both film and music for attendees coming in from across the country. There is simply nothing like CIMMfest," said Josh Chicoine, CIMMFest Co-Director with Ilko Davidov.

A limited number of Early Bird, All-Access Festival passes, priced at $50, are now available at www.CIMMfest.org. Festival passes not only offer a substantial savings on individual tickets but provide access to four days of outstanding premiere films, concerts, Q&A's, performances, after parties and more.

Single tickets go on sale March 18th and are priced at $10-$12 (Some events are discounted for students with valid ID); most special events are priced at $15. Concerts are priced per venue. A complete lineup of film and music programming will be announced shortly.

Corporate and Community sponsors of CIMMfest No. 5 include Columbia College Chicago, ACME Hotel, Ticketfly, the Logan Theater, the Music Box Theatre, The Society for Arts, and Goose Island Brewing Company.