Yvonne Welbon, founder and CEO of Sisters in Cinema, has been documenting the history of Black women filmmakers for decades. Sisters in Cinema has grown from an online database to the Sisters in Cinema Media Arts Center, 2310 E. 75th St. (Blair Paddock / WTTW News)

A nonprofit celebrating the work of Black women and gender-nonconforming media makers opened its doors Friday. The Sisters in Cinema Media Arts Center, 2310 E. 75th St., will offer screenings and workshops to the community.

Robert Downey Jr., winner of the award for best performance by an actor in a supporting role for "Oppenheimer," from left, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, winner of the award for best performance by an actress in a supporting role for "The Holdovers," Emma Stone, winner of the award for best performance by an actress in a leading role for "Poor Things," and Cillian Murphy, winner of the award for best performance by an actor in a leading role for "Oppenheimer," pose in the press room at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10

After passing over arguably Hollywood’s foremost big-screen auteur for years, the Oscars made up for lost time by heaping seven awards on Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster biopic, including best actor for Cillian Murphy, best supporting actor for Robert Downey Jr. and best director for Nolan.

A look inside the “007 Science: Inventing the World of James Bond” exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry. (Kelsey Ryan)

Two large galleries showcase tricked-out vehicles, artifacts and gadgets from 25 films in the series, along with movie clips that set the scene.

Author Erika Sánchez appears on “Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices” on Feb. 29, 2024. (WTTW News)

In 2017, poet and author Erika L. Sánchez published her first novel, “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter.” Now, Hollywood is calling, with a book-to-film adaptation with award-winning actress America Ferrera on board to make her big-screen directing debut.

(Credit: “Fight for Black Lives”)

The new documentary “The Fight for Black Lives” chronicles the stories of Black mothers who faced racial inequities in the health care system. The film comes as Gov. J.B. Pritzker is proposing $4 million dollars in his new budget proposal aimed at addressing the issue. 

This image released by Universal Pictures shows Cillian Murphy in a scene from "Oppenheimer." (Universal Pictures via AP)

Christopher Nolan’s three-hour opus, viewed as the best picture frontrunner, received nods for best picture; Nolan’s direction; acting nominations for Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr. and Emily Blunt; and multiple honors for the sweeping craft of the J. Robert Oppenheimer drama. 

Director William Friedkin poses for portraits after interviews for his film “Killer Joe” in Venice, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011. (AP Photo / Joel Ryan, File)

Before his Hollywood career, Friedkin worked for WTTW and WGN

Born in Chicago on Aug. 29, 1939, he began working in local TV productions as a teenager. By age 16 he was directing live shows.

Paul Reubens stars in “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.” (Credit: Warner Bros.)

Paul Reubens, who found fame as the quirky man-child character Pee-wee Herman, has died, according to an announcement on his verified social media.

Actors Sheryl Lee Ralph, left, and Lisa Ann Walter, members of the cast of “Abbott Elementary,” participate in a rally in support of the actors and writers strikes at Love Park in Philadelphia on Thursday, July 20, 2023. (AP Photo / Tassanee Vejpongsa)

In Chicago, hundreds of strikers — many wearing black SAG T-shirts — marched and chanted at Millennium Park and Grant Park, “We’re union/United/Never be divided.” A small brass band played “This Land Is Your Land.”

Art Johnston and Pepe Peña in the documentary “Art and Pep.”

Art Johnston and Pepe Peña, owners of the iconic gay bar Sidetrack in Northalsted, are the subjects of a new documentary. The film follows their love story — spanning 50 years — and the history of the Sidetrack bar amid the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in Chicago.

Costume designer Ruth Carter appears on “Black Voices” on June 2, 2023. (WTTW News)

Ruth Carter is a groundbreaking costume designer known for her long collaboration with Spike Lee and her work on the “Black Panther” movies. She is the only Black woman to have two Academy Awards.

On Monday night, the final installment of “Surviving R. Kelly” began airing on Lifetime. R. Kelly, (C), here appears at a hearing in 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Getty Images)
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“Surviving R. Kelly Part III: The Final Chapter” is a two-part look at the legal fallout Kelly has faced. 

An image from “Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles.”

The latest edition of the revered “Greatest Films of All Time” list by Sight and Sound magazine was unveiled this month, sparking discussion about representation in film and which movies are often either included or left out in prestigious lists.

Actor and director Isaiah Washington. (WTTW News)

Actor and director Isaiah Washington’s new film “Corsicana” explores the life of a Black law enforcement officer with some very notable stripes.

Michael Kutza, CEO Emeritus, of the Chicago International Film Festival. (WTTW News)

Michael Kutza was just 22 years old when he launched the Chicago International Film Festival. Decades later, he looks back on a life among the movie stars. 

“Tagged” follows a street artist who gets caught up in a murder investigation. (Credit: Kernel Productions)

“Tagged” follows a street artist named Lex who gets caught up in a murder investigation after the vape shop owner who hired him to create a mural suddenly disappears. The film was released June 27 by Kernel Productions, a grassroots film production company based in Bucktown.