photo by steed media service

For more than 15 years, Chris L. Griffin has been behind the still camera working for some of the top publications in the city. But last year he set his sights on directing motion pictures. The result is the highly anticipated independent film, written, directed and produced by Griffin titled, Partyline.

Screened at the 13th annual Black Harvest International Festival of Film, Video and TV, Partyline is a suspense thriller about how a young lady's life is turned topsy-turvy after a chance encounter on a dateline.

Black Harvest is an annual showcase of the black experience that offers more than 20 entertaining features, documentaries and shorts celebrating black cinema worldwide.

Frustrated with the lack of quality features released in Hollywood, Griffin joined forces with Stephen Wilkins to form the Chicago-based independent film company, AAA Studios Entertainment.

"I'm at the point in my life where you want to do the things you've always wanted to do," says Griffin. "This was it. It was one of those things where people say, 'If you don't like it, do something about it."

Griffin envisions AAA Studios as a catalyst for networking, particularly for minorities in the film industry.

"Everyone knows if you want to get ahead in this business you have to think about going out West; at the same time, the West comes here all the time," says Griffin. "I believe Chicago has a lot of stories in it. There are a lot of talented people here, and Hollywood is paying attention to that." - - tony binns

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