Media Burn Archive
banner
mediaburn.bsky.social
Media Burn Archive
@mediaburn.bsky.social
Media Burn is a nonprofit dedicated to video’s overlooked histories and its most fiercely independent voices, from the 1960s to today.
SOLD OUT!
"Siskel & Ebert at 50" Live Show!
Nov 22 Chicago Cultural Center
A live event by Pocket Guide to Hell exploring the iconic TV show that changed film criticism. Post-show moderated by Geoffrey Baer w/ Thea Flaum, Michelle McKenzie-Voigt, and Rick Kogan.
Event Info: https://loom.ly/v0TOhEI
November 19, 2025 at 4:04 PM
On Nov 19, 12 PM, join us at UIC: 909 S. Wolcott, Room 585. We're marking the 50th anniversary of the Cook County Hospital doctors' strike with a free screening of "HSA Strike '75" and a discussion on its legacy for healthcare and labor.
Event info:https://loom.ly/IhTLmVI
November 18, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Excited to announce we got an FY26 IAC grant! We are so grateful to the Illinois Arts Council for supporting arts across our state.
November 13, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Studs’ Place: The Lost Sitcom That Put Working-Class Life on TV. Our latest blog post by scholar and guest author Jason J. Nebergall offers an analysis of how Studs Terkel's radical, working-class ethos was translated into the emerging television medium. Read more at: https://loom.ly/JDD26kA
November 6, 2025 at 4:04 PM
The episode also features an introduction from the great Forrest J. Ackerman, of Famous Monsters of Filmland fame!
October 31, 2025 at 3:20 PM
This Nov, celebrate Siskel & Ebert's 50th!
See their favorite "hidden gem" films each Wednesday (Nov 5, 12, 19, 25).
Don't miss a live "Sneak Previews" performance on Nov 22
Location: Chicago Cultural Center 78 E. Washington St. Chicago, IL 60602

TICKETS: https://loom.ly/V2_oo_s
October 30, 2025 at 12:59 PM
The world lost a special person this week. Read Media Burn founder Tom Weinberg's tribute to artist, poet, actor, and Chicagoan, Tony Fitzpatrick, “a roisterer, a prodigious giant with gigantic appetites.” https://loom.ly/CTAFD28
October 15, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Don’t miss this special 20th anniversary screening of Forgiving Dr. Mengele with Media Burn board member Bob Hercules in person.
Event Details:
 [October 16th ] [7:00 PM]
 Wayfarer Theater, Highland Park
Tickets: $15 | FREE for Wayfarer Unlimited Members
More info: https://loom.ly/Ib_NkuY
October 13, 2025 at 9:39 PM
We're so excited to be part of this special trivia night at the Hideout, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Sneak Previews, the legendary TV show that paired newspaper critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert to talk (and argue) about the movies. October 15, 7:30pm! https://loom.ly/IjsJPVQ
October 6, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Throughout Media Burn’s recordings of performance art, few performers stand out as much as the untouchable Gurlene and Gurlette Hussey (Randy Esslinger and Doug Stapleton). Their drag is, in Gurlene’s words, 'Hairy, horny, tattooed, shameless, saucy, mischievous.” Read more: https://loom.ly/g40Hb1I
August 22, 2025 at 8:51 PM
“People stop me on the street and say, ‘Jesus Christ, I read your book, Working, and I’ll never talk to a telephone operator that same way. I’ll never treat a waitress the same way, or look at a truck driver the same way. You’ve changed the way I think.’”--Studs Terkel. More: https://loom.ly/5b2_nhY
June 11, 2025 at 7:20 PM
The day is finally here! We are launching the brand new mediaburn.org, which will make it easier for you to find new videos and learn about this history of independent media production.

Please take a look and let us know what you think! We welcome your input and your eagle eye.
June 3, 2025 at 6:23 PM
We're pleased to be co-presenting a screening in partnership with The West Ridge Artists Group and FORA (Forging Opportunities for Refugees in America) of videos produced by activist filmmaker Mirko Popadic. At FORA, 6435 N California in Chicago's West Ridge neighborhood.
May 15, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Thurs! Free virtual screening: "Women of Northside Fight Back," with director Christine Noschese and scholar @tanyagoldman.bsky.social. When an expanding paper box company threatened to destroy homes in Brooklyn, residents discovered that you CAN fight city hall. Register: loom.ly/ww4BjGY
April 22, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Adult: "Is it a good thing to tell on people?"
Kid: "That depends. If you're tellin' on the mafia, that's bad."

Join us for a free virtual screening/celebration of Community TV Network, who has put video cameras in the hands of the people for more than 50 years. www.eventbrite.com/e/community-...
February 26, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Media Burn board member Ben Kolak and his team at Truth & Documentary are documenting the impact of Trump's policies on immigrants and refugees in Chicago. This is a scene from their work in progress, filmed last week.

mediaburn.org/video/good-v...
February 7, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Media Burn welcomes new board members! @cratebeats.bsky.social is a tenure-track assistant prof. at U of Florida’s College of Journalism & Communications. @danielmmayeda.bsky.social recently retired as Associate Director of Documentary Film Legal Clinic at UCLA Law School. More: loom.ly/45Slf5o
February 6, 2025 at 6:16 PM
It’s been almost 50 years since TVTV “looked at the Oscars,” but the spirit of guerrilla television still haunts the Academy Awards. Check out our blog to learn about Media Burn's connections to this year's Academy Awards: loom.ly/x5mW5vA
February 5, 2025 at 9:35 PM
We strongly believe that video is the most powerful tool we have for holding those in power accountable and for understanding the world around us.

We need your help to preserve a thoughtful, nuanced, and diverse record of society. Please donate today.

mailchi.mp/mediaburn/he...
December 11, 2024 at 8:01 PM
We are thrilled and honored to be part of an illustrious cohort of colleagues in Newcity's Film 50 2024! Honorees include Media Burn's executive director, Sara Chapman, and board member, Bob Hercules. www.newcityfilm.com/2024/11/05/f...
November 14, 2024 at 8:14 PM
Join us on Thursday, Nov. 9 at 6pm CT (4pm PT/7pm ET) for a free online screening of Bill Morrison’s new short film Incident, followed by a q&a with Morrison (Decasia, Dawson City: Frozen Time) and human rights activist Jamie Kalven (The Invisible Institute).

Register for free: loom.ly/Zfkkr04
November 2, 2023 at 3:41 PM