Caymanite Founder Armin Korsos Supports Chicago Film Community with Filmmaker Friday Chicago

Armin Korsos, founder of the production company Caymanite, is making waves in the Chicago film scene by co-founding Filmmaker Friday Chicago, a monthly event aimed at bridging gaps within the local film industry. Alongside collaborators Clay Kerr and Will Letcher, founders of Adapted Studios, the trio have successfully grown the event from an initial gathering of 50 filmmakers and industry professionals to over 240 attendees at their most recent event.

The event, now in its fourth edition - which was hosted by Kinowerks - seeks to create a space where filmmakers, writers, producers, and other creatives can network, form genuine connections, and learn from one another. By focusing on fostering collaboration and bridging the 'bubbles' in the Chicago film community, Filmmaker Friday Chicago aims to promote a more unified and inclusive industry within the city.

"Chicago has an incredibly talented and passionate film community, but often, people are siloed within their specific circles," said Armin Korsos. "Our goal with Filmmaker Friday is to break down those barriers and create a space where everyone can connect, share experiences, and grow together."

Special guests at the third Filmmaker Friday Chicago event included HBO producer Jaye Callahan, Netflix editor Emmett Adler, and National Geographic cinematographer Carissa Henderson, who shared their insights on the evolving industry landscape. 

The fourth event continued to elevate the conversation by welcoming writer LeLe Park, represented by Brillstein Entertainment Partners, and Emily Dell, a writer and director known for her work with Amazon and Lifetime, among others. Their participation provided attendees with valuable perspectives on storytelling, production, and navigating the entertainment business. 

The fourth Filmmaker Friday event was hosted at Kinowerks, whose state-of-the-art facility provided a beautiful and sophisticated setup to accommodate the growing crowds. Their space was the perfect partner for the event, offering an ideal environment as Filmmaker Friday continues to expand its presence and influence within the city’s film community. Kinowerks' support reflects the collaborative spirit at the heart of the initiative, helping to elevate the experience for all attendees.

Filmmaker Friday Chicago was born out of a collaboration between Armin and director Parker Foster, who founded Filmmaker Friday NYC. Foster’s NYC events have most recently drawn over 400 attendees, serving as a blueprint for success. With momentum building each month, Chicago is following suit, bringing filmmakers together in new and impactful ways.

“We’ve seen incredible support and enthusiasm for this event in such a short amount of time,” Armin added. “It shows there’s a real hunger for community-building in Chicago’s film industry, and that's proven by our exponential organic growth over the last four months."

As Filmmaker Friday Chicago continues to grow, Armin, Clay, and Will remain committed to expanding the event’s impact by hosting more specialised gatherings, inviting compelling speakers, and cultivating an open and inclusive environment where all filmmakers can thrive.

For more information about upcoming Filmmaker Friday Chicago events, follow us  Instagram @filmmakerfridaychicago or at this link.