The journey of bringing our film @home to communities across the country hit one of its peaks this past Monday as we premiered the film to a packed house in our hometown of Chicago. The Chicago premiere was a celebration of the last four years during which Susanne and her team worked on this compelling film, and offered a special opportunity to give thanks to Mark Horvath as well as all of the other men and women who shared their stories and made this film what it is today.

 

The premiere was free and open to the public, and took place at the beautiful Museum of Contemporary Art in the heart of downtown Chicago, just steps from the Magnificent Mile. The 300-seat theater quickly filled and the night began with a screening of the film that was introduced by Kindling Group’s founder and a Producer of @home, Danny Alpert. Many were seeing the film for the first time, and the film ended with a standing ovation for both Susanne and Mark as they walked to the stage to take part in the discussion.

 

 

 

 

 

The discussion panel featured Susanne Suffredin, the director and editor of @home, Mark Horvath, the inspiring e-activist featured in the film, and Nonnie Brennan, a local homeless advocate and CEO of the Chicago Alliance to End Homelessness. The lively discussion touched on everything from the necessity of telling the stories of the nation’s homeless to protecting the rights of the homeless against exploitation, and ended on providing the audience with actual steps they could take to help end homelessness in their own communities.

 

A reception followed the discussion, complete with delicious pastries, coffee, and a full bar. The reception enabled everyone at the premiere to inter-mingle, further the discussion, and meet with Susanne, Mark, and the rest of the @home crew. It was a beautiful night and a perfect tribute to an incredible film.