Special Screening of Documentary Exploring Chicago River to Louisiana Bayou
Friends of the Chicago River is excited to co-present a special screening of “American Dendrite” on Friday, February 6 at Chicago Filmmakers. This one-night documentary event is presented in partnership with DOC CHICAGO and Chicago Filmmakers and will feature a post-screening talkback with the filmmakers, with Friends of the Chicago River participating in the conversation.
“American Dendrite” is a road-trip documentary shot on vintage Super 8mm film that traces the Mississippi River from its connection to the Chicago River all the way to the Louisiana Bayou. Along the journey, everyday Americans are invited to reflect on what’s on their minds, responding only to the thoughts shared by someone upstream. These linked conversations create a flowing chain of voices that explores climate, culture, consciousness, and the ways water connects communities across geography and time.
The result is an intimate and moving portrait of a nation seen through its waterways, a living time capsule that highlights how rivers shape memory, identity, and our shared future at a pivotal moment in American history.
Event details
Friday, February 6, 2026
7 p.m. screening
Chicago Filmmakers
1326 W. Hollywood Ave., Chicago
Tickets are available now through Chicago Filmmakers.
