CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Chicago-based design firm Borderless Studio, in partnership with production company On The Real Film, will host an exclusive media screening of “Beyond Closure” on Sunday, December 15 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The premiere will take place at the Chicago Cultural Center’s Claudia Cassidy Theater, located at 78 E. Washington St., 2nd Floor North.
“Beyond Closure” is a documentary that retraces the history of Chicago Public Schools’ (CPS) 2013 decision to close over 50 of its schools marking the largest documented school closure in U.S. history. It also details the struggle and triumph of community efforts to transform former Chicago schools into vital community spaces. Focused on Emmet Elementary in Austin, Woods Academy in Englewood, and Overton Elementary in Bronzeville, the film examines the far-reaching impact of these unprecedented closures. The film’s debut will provide an opportunity for interested media and select community members to get a first look at the 55-minute documentary before its public release.
"When we asked collaborators, partners, and subject matter experts to describe ‘Beyond Closure’ in one word, responses like ‘wake-up call’ and ‘reality check’ stood out,” said Paola Aguirre Serrano, partner at Borderless Studio. “This film is exactly that—a sobering look at the lasting impacts of mass school closures on our communities, but also an inspiring narrative of how resilience, collaboration, and imagination can redefine what’s possible. We hope it challenges Chicago—and the nation—to confront these realities and work together to create a future shaped by equity and opportunity."
Following the screening, there will be a 45-minute panel discussion offering attendees the opportunity to engage directly with filmmakers and key partners. The panel will feature Paola Aguirre Serrano along with the co-founders of On The Real Film, Erin Babbin and Michael Sullivan. Also present will be Cecille DeMello, executive director of Teamwork Englewood, Asiaha Butler, chief executive officer of the Resident Association of Greater Englewood and Darnell Shields, executive director at Austin Coming Together. These speakers represent organizations championing the abandoned school revitalization efforts highlighted in “Beyond Closure”. They will provide additional insights into the film's making, the overall challenges of adaptive reuse in urban spaces, and the importance of community-led efforts in the redevelopment process.
Through a blend of interviews, archival materials, and current footage, “Beyond Closure” sends a message of hope, chronicling how local South and Westside communities are transforming these buildings into workforce development centers, social service hubs, art-centered communal spaces and Public Outdoor Plazas. The documentary features insights from experts and community members, including WBEZ Education Reporter Sarah Karp, and racial justice advocate Niketa Brar, who will be present and available for interviews after the event.
Visit www.beyondclosurefilm.com to watch the documentary trailer and sign up for the newsletter to learn about upcoming screenings.
About On The Real Film
On The Real Film, a Chicago based production company founded in 2011 by Erin Babbin and Michael Sullivan, values storytelling and keeping it real, strives for honesty in filmmaking and centers people underserved by mainstream media. Specializing in documenting the vibrant worlds of artists, musicians, arts organizations, nonprofits, and university programs, On The Real Film works to uplift Chicago voices and narratives. Their work in cinema extends globally, with productions in South and Central America, Europe and Africa, as well as screenings in international festivals from Paris to Mexico City, Mumbai, Hamburg, New York, Los Angeles, Toronto and Park City.
About Borderless Studio
BORDERLESS is a design and research practice based in Chicago and San Antonio focused on approaches and collaboration frameworks addressing spatial justice and equitable design while cultivating collaborative design agency. With emphasis on interdisciplinary exchange, Borderless explores creative civic design and engagement interventions that address the complexity of urban systems and spatial equity by looking at intersections between architecture, urban design, infrastructure, landscape, planning and community processes. Borderless’ work has been recently recognized by The Architecture League of New York with the Emerging Voices Award (2022), and the John and Catherine MacArthur Foundation’s Creative Placemaking Award (2022).