Project Cinema: Films for Cabrini-Green
@ National Public Housing Museum
919 South Ada St, Chicago, IL 60607
Opening Wednesday, June 17th, from 7pM - 9:30PM
Bring your friends and family out for a screening of We Grown Now, preceded by short documentaries about the Cabrini-Green Homes.
Like many public housing sites prized for their architectural innovation, Cabrini-Green is beloved by filmmakers. From the Candyman coming through the mirror to kids navigating space through holes in the walls, the magic and mystery coming out of this housing complex seems to be blockbuster gold. But who were the people that lived there? And how would they tell the story?
This screening provides context into the history of Cabrini, offering a unique opportunity to visit and venerate the now demolished high rises in the past, present and future.
FREE! Space is limited, please register in advance. Seating will be offered on a first come, first served basis.
The event space is wheelchair accessible and films are closed-captioned.
Food for purchase provided by Chef Nikki B from Beats, Sneaks and Eats.
Free popcorn will also be served!
About the films
We Grown Now (dir. Minhal Baig, 2023, 93 mins)
Two young friends growing up in Cabrini-Green experience the sweetness and tragedy of Black Chicago Life.
Out of the Archives: ‘Candyman was a Candyman: People of Cabrini-Green’ (2 min)
Willie “J.R.” Fleming shares his feelings about the changes happening in Cabrini-Green. Excerpted from episode 15 of the National Public Housing Museum’s oral history podcast, Out of the Archives.
For Those That Lived There (dir. Shawn Antoine, 2024, 6 min)
An experimental documentary witnessing life on the land where Cabrini-Green once stood, chronicling the the haunting displacement of Black legacies and the emergence of migrant narratives.
Cabrini Dreams (1977, 3 min)
Made by students at Cabrini-Green Community High School, young residents of the building reflect on their lives in the neighborhood and wishes for the future.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 @ 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
National Public Housing Museum, 919 S. Ada Street, Chicago, IL 60607
Free
Register
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/project-cinema-films-for-cabrini-green-tickets-1990974526404?aff=web
Schedule
6:30 pm Doors open, get settled
7:00 pm Welcome, program begins
7:05 pm Short documentaries
7:20 pm Feature film
9:30 pm Program ends, museum closes
Official Website
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Tags: Cabrini-Green Community High School, Chicago, Films for Cabrini-Green, Minhal Baig, National Public Housing Museum, Project Cinema: Films for Cabrini-Green, Shawn Antoine, Willie “J.R.” Fleming
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