Fredrick Gertten Interview (SXSW) Film Festival 2015 ‘Bikes vs Cars’ By Kathrine LeBlanc

Bikes vs Cars is an impressive documentary from Swedish director, Fredrik Gertten. We caught up with him while he was in the US for the film’s North American debut at the SXSW Film Festival in … Read more

The 10th Annual Oscar Charity Event Shines it’s Spotlight on Children

Lights, Camera, Action! The Oscar Charity Soiree was ‘The’ Place to be on Oscar Night!

The 10th Annual Variety of Illinois Oscar Charity Event orchestrated by Angelique Barthel, Executive Director of Variety of Illinois, was … Read more

Hollywood: Critics’ Choice 2015 Awards Posted to RogerEbert.com

Members of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) bestowed their honors in film during the 20th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards (CCMA). These honors coincided with the revealing of the coveted Academy Awards nominations (January … Read more

50th Chicago International Film Festival Recap by Kay Eller

Chicago International Film Festival Recap 2014

From opening night, October 9, 2014, until the last film on October 22, the special anniversary of the 50th Chicago International Film Festival was “film-tastic” as always! The “24” … Read more

Chicago Comedy Film Festival: Love Is Strange

More often than not the road to love is a winding one, with some combination of thrilling attractions, disheartening breakdowns, dead ends and head-scratching u-turns along the way.  The 4th annual Chicago Comedy Film Festival … Read more

CIMMfest 2014: The Retro Route Review

Having grown up on a musical diet consisting almost exclusively of soul, Motown, and blues, it’s no surprise that I took the retro route when making my CIMMfest 2014 Must-See List, which included Boyce & Read more

2nd Chicago Critics Film Festival

Calling all film buffs! This Friday, May 9 is opening night for the second annual Chicago Film Critics Film Festival. Due to the fact that I’m a member of the Association and have a strong … Read more

Spider-Man in Chicago for Earth Hour 2014!

Chicago is always an exciting place to be, whether you are checking out blues music and festivals, sporting events, cutting-edge cuisine or spending a day at the beach. It’s no wonder that Chicago was chosen … Read more

The Chicago Film Critics Association 2013 Film Awards

“12 Years A Slave,” the harrowing adaptation of the memoir of a once-free black man from the North who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in the Deep South in the years leading up to … Read more

Sophie Nélisse Star of ‘The Book Thief’ Interview

Sophie Nélisse Star of “The Book Thief” Talks About Her Love of Books

The Red Carpet event promoting “The Book Thief” was part of the Chicago International Film Festival on October 22, 2013. Interviews included … Read more

Oscar Isaac Interview on the Red Carpet for the Coen Brothers’ Film, “Inside Llewyn Davis”

Chicago International Film Festival on October 24, 2013 at AMC River East Theater in Chicago.

SA: Wow, Oscar Isaac I’d think that you’d have to be so excited to be the centerpiece of a Coen … Read more

Paddle Your Own Canoe – An Evening with Nick Offerman

On Friday Oct. 4, 2013 the Unabridged Bookstore and the Music Box Theatre teamed up to host the incredibly funny and razor-sharp vocabulist Nick Offerman to celebrate his new book “Paddle Your Own Canoe.”  As … Read more

48 Hour Film Project-Jury Member Sarah Knight Adamson Reflects

Yes, in just 48 hours, filmmakers around the globe compete in teams to create a film that will wow judges and audiences. Launched in 2001 in Washington, DC as a competition among friends by filmmakers … Read more

The 1st Annual Chicago Critics Film Festival

Sarah’s Backstage Pass is pleased to report that the first annual Chicago Critics Film Festival was a true success! The three-day festival from April 12-14th at Muvico Rosemont was comprised of more than 20 features … Read more

Chicago Film Critics: Sarah Knight Adamson and Jessica Aymond Host Film With a View Series – Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho”

On April 3, 2013 Chicago Film Critics Sarah Adamson and Jessica Aymond hosted the Film With a View series at Studio Movie Grill in Wheaton. The pair presented the original classic, “Psycho” by Alfred Hitchcock … Read more

City Winery Chicago Creatively Pairs Wine with Film

Ginger Baker Film Event Photo Credit: Sarah Adamson

This unique venue offers live music, film previews, brunch, dinner, wine/dinner events, comedy events and more. There’s valet parking but we found plenty on the street. I’ll … Read more

48th Annual Chicago International Film Festival 2012 Huge Success

Chicago International Film Festival Boasts Big Name Talent and Outstanding Global Films

The 48th Annual Chicago International Film Festival, held October 11- 22 2012, was attended by the staff of Sarah’s Backstage Pass. The coverage … Read more

TBS Just For Laughs Festival 2012, Vince Vaughn and Aziz Ansari

“Say something funny.”  “Tell me a joke.”  Comedians are often put on the spot and requests like these can cause them to cringe, for even they can’t be funny all the time. But this weekend … Read more

84th Academy Award Variety Charity Event- 2012

Hollywood Palms Annual Academy Award Viewing Party Fundraiser

The stars were shinning brightly Sunday evening, Feb. 26 at Hollywood Palms Theater in Naperville as event attendees came out to support Variety Children’s Charity while viewing … Read more

CFCA Awards

The Chicago Film Critics Awards 2012

An afternoon press conference with James Earl Jones, Jason Segel and Dennis Farina was the first event starting at 3pm in the Ritz Carlton Hotel on Jan. 7. A … Read more

Chicago Windie City Shootout 72 Hour Film Contest , Sarah Knight Adamson serves on Film Jury

The Windie City Shootout 72 Hour film contest provided an opportunity for filmmakers to create, edit and produce a film in 72 Hours. Big price money was offered totally $28,000 in cash awards.

The WCS … Read more

1st Just For Laughs Comedy Festival 2009 ‘On The Red Carpet’ with Harold Ramis, “Year One” Premiere

Sarah’s Backstage Pass attended a Red Carpet event for the premiere of the film “Year One” and the honoring of Harold Ramis the recipient of the Just For Laughs Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is … Read more

Spike Lee Speaks at North Central College

If you ever have the chance to listen to Spike Lee speak, then go. He’s the kind of guy that has opinions and isn’t afraid to express them−regardless if you agree with him or not;… Read more

Chicago International Film Festival 46th Boasts Big Talent

46th Chicago International Film Festival

The staff of Sarah’s Backstage Pass used the old adage, ‘divide and conquer’ in approaching coverage of the 46th annual Chicago International Film Festival Oct. 7th through October 21, 2010. … Read more