By Kaylee Alivo
Adam Kempenaar, professor of practice, in the Department of Health and Human Physiology in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of his podcast, Filmspotting, by hosting the first-ever Filmspotting Fest in Chicago. The three-day festival, held at the iconic Music Box Theatre and Gene Siskel Film Center, brought together film enthusiasts from across the United States, Canada, and beyond.
Kempenaar co-founded Filmspotting in 2005 with the goal of seeing and discussing more movies—a project he never imagined would still be thriving two decades later.
“We had no sense of how big podcasting would become,” Kempenaar said. “But we were committed to the show and treated it like a job we prepared for and produced consistently.”
Filmspotting Fest featured six curated films that reflected the show’s history and artistic values, with guest appearances from acclaimed filmmakers such as Rian Johnson (Knives Out, The Last Jedi) and Kogonada (Columbus). The event celebrated not only Filmspotting’s success but also the strong community of listeners it has cultivated over the years.
As a faculty member, Kempenaar brings his professional experience into the classroom, teaching students about the growing world of podcasting and the importance of building and engaging an audience. He encourages students to take creative risks, emphasizing the growth that comes through practice: “Don’t overthink getting started. Dive in and try it.”
Following the success of the first Filmspotting Fest, Kempenaar hopes to continue celebrating major milestones with future events, sharing his passion for film and community both in and outside the classroom.