| 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' 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 grown 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 doorstep.
Co-directed with Kathy Berger, Ines' human rights documentary Beneath the Blindfold sensitively portrays four torture 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-profit groups, arts organizations, faith groups, universities, schools, and other clients. In addition to directing and producing, Ines has long collaborated with other filmmakers as a cinematographer. Her camerawork was 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 engaging audiences with alternative cinema and advocating for the independent film community. She has held positions as a film programmer and festival director, has served on the Board of Directors of Chicago Filmmakers and IFP Chicago, and co-founded and directed Percolator Films, a 501(c)3 non-profit media arts organization that presents and produces documentaries. Her most recent endeavor was the inaugural Doc Chicago conference, which brought regional documentary filmmakers together to learn, exchange ideas, and connect.
Ines currently teaches at Northwestern University, where she also serves as the Associate Director of the MFA in Documentary Media program.
Ines' 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 grown 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 doorstep.
Co-directed with Kathy Berger, Ines' human rights documentary Beneath the Blindfold sensitively portrays four torture 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-profit groups, arts organizations, faith groups, universities, schools, and other clients. In addition to directing and producing, Ines has long collaborated with other filmmakers as a cinematographer. Her camerawork was 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 engaging audiences with alternative cinema and advocating for the independent film community. She has held positions as a film programmer and festival director, has served on the Board of Directors of Chicago Filmmakers and IFP Chicago, and co-founded and directed Percolator Films, a 501(c)3 non-profit media arts organization that presents and produces documentaries. Her most recent endeavor was the inaugural Doc Chicago conference, which brought regional documentary filmmakers together to learn, exchange ideas, and connect.
Ines currently teaches at Northwestern University, where she also serves as the Associate Director of the MFA in Documentary Media program.
