Siskel Film Center Introduces New Programming Director

WDCB’s Gary Zidek checks in with the Gene Siskel Film Center’s new programming director, Rebecca Fons.

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WDCB's Gary Zidek checks in with Rebecca Fons, the new programming director of the Siskel Film Center.

“In arthouse cinemas there’s so much discovery, you’re not just programming the next Star Wars film, you’re really seeking out the best, the newest, and the next, which is really, really exciting to me.” - the Siskel Center’s new director of programming, Rebecca Fons, talking about her passion for film programming.

Rebecca Fons (right) with her husband Jack Newell (left) in 2017

Known for its forward thinking and ambitious programming, the Gene Siskel Film Center is among the most respected film exhibitors in the country. This past November, one of the people responsible for that reputation, the Center’s longtime programming director Barbara Scharres announced her retirement. The end of one chapter also means the beginning of another. Last month, the Siskel Film Center announced Rebecca Fons will be the organization's new director of programming. Fons has deep ties to the local film community serving as a member of the Center’s own Community Council, working as the education director for the Chicago International Film Festival and currently serving as Director of Film at the John and Nancy Hughes Theater in Lake Forest. The longtime programmer is also connected to theaters in her home state of Iowa, as Director of Programming at FilmScene (a nonprofit art house cinema in Iowa City) and at the Iowa Theater.

You can check out what’s playing virtually at siskelfilmcenter.org