| Ines Sommer |
Ines Sommer has directed and produced genre-crossing films for more than two decades, ranging from experimental 16mm films to video documentaries about the arts, human rights, direct democracy, and other topics.
Ines' recent broadcast documentary Count Me In follows the stories of ordinary Chicagoans who are part of an innovative experiment in direct democracy – called participatory budgeting – that gives them direct say over local public projects and monies. Find broadcast and screening information at: http://www.countmeinmovie.com/
Ines is currently at work on Seasons of Change on Henry's Farm which follows Henry and Hiroko Brockman, who have successfully raised nutritious vegetables on their organic farm in Central Illinois for over two decades. But with his intimate knowledge of soil, plants, and weather, Henry has to acknowledge that things can’t continue as before because climate change has arrived on his doorsteps.
Co-directed with Kathy Berger, Ines' human rights documentary Beneath the Blindfold sensitively portrays four survivors from around the globe who are struggling with the long-lasting impact of torture on their lives. Available on Amazon Prime.
Ines' company Sommer Filmworks LLC produces documentaries and commissioned videos for non-profits, arts organizations, universities, religious institutions, and other clients. In addition to directing and producing, Ines frequently collaborates with other filmmakers as a cinematographer. Her camerawork has been featured in numerous award-winning documentaries, including several projects for Chicago-based production companies Kartemquin Films (Terra Incognita: Mapping Stem Cell Research; In the Family; Hard Earned; and other titles) and The Kindling Group (@home; The Calling; A Doula Story).
Besides making films, Ines has a longstanding interest in advocacy for the independent filmmaking community and engaging audiences with alternative cinema. She has held positions as a film programmer and festival director, serves on IFP Chicago's Board of Directors, and co-founded Percolator Films, a small non-profit media arts organization that presents and produces documentaries.
Ines currently teaches at Northwestern University, where she also serves as the Associate Director of the new MFA in Documentary Media program.
Ines' recent broadcast documentary Count Me In follows the stories of ordinary Chicagoans who are part of an innovative experiment in direct democracy – called participatory budgeting – that gives them direct say over local public projects and monies. Find broadcast and screening information at: http://www.countmeinmovie.com/
Ines is currently at work on Seasons of Change on Henry's Farm which follows Henry and Hiroko Brockman, who have successfully raised nutritious vegetables on their organic farm in Central Illinois for over two decades. But with his intimate knowledge of soil, plants, and weather, Henry has to acknowledge that things can’t continue as before because climate change has arrived on his doorsteps.
Co-directed with Kathy Berger, Ines' human rights documentary Beneath the Blindfold sensitively portrays four survivors from around the globe who are struggling with the long-lasting impact of torture on their lives. Available on Amazon Prime.
Ines' company Sommer Filmworks LLC produces documentaries and commissioned videos for non-profits, arts organizations, universities, religious institutions, and other clients. In addition to directing and producing, Ines frequently collaborates with other filmmakers as a cinematographer. Her camerawork has been featured in numerous award-winning documentaries, including several projects for Chicago-based production companies Kartemquin Films (Terra Incognita: Mapping Stem Cell Research; In the Family; Hard Earned; and other titles) and The Kindling Group (@home; The Calling; A Doula Story).
Besides making films, Ines has a longstanding interest in advocacy for the independent filmmaking community and engaging audiences with alternative cinema. She has held positions as a film programmer and festival director, serves on IFP Chicago's Board of Directors, and co-founded Percolator Films, a small non-profit media arts organization that presents and produces documentaries.
Ines currently teaches at Northwestern University, where she also serves as the Associate Director of the new MFA in Documentary Media program.
