Ilya Chaiken

Once Upon a Time in Ukraine

As the Ukraine war moves into its third year, a surprising story of resilience: how children in Ukraine are surviving the Russian war machine that has targeted them and their families. With creativity and imagination they have transformed backyards and playgrounds destroyed by missiles, invented fairy tales where vegetable armies vanquish Russian attackers, and carried on the Ukrainian tradition of music and dance in bombed out studios. Life behind the frontlines as seen through the eyes of the children who will inherit a country struggling to survive a brutal invasion.

Pretty Ugly - The Story Of The Lunachicks

The Lunachicks, an all-female punk band renowned for their unabashed humor and unwavering pro-women ethos, made their mark on NYC’s underground music scene in the ‘90s. A rollercoaster of drugs, romances, and creative conflicts ultimately led to their 2000 breakup, but can love of the music reunite them for one last show? Buoyed by energetic storytelling, gritty '80s-'90s nightclub footage, insightful interviews, and high-voltage performances, this is a must-watch for music history enthusiasts.

Gabby Giffords Won't Back Down

The extraordinary story of former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords: her relentless fight to recover following an assassination attempt in 2011, and her new life as one of the most effective activists in the battle against gun violence.

Secret Santa

Produced for Glass Eye Pix as part of their 2018 Creepy Christmas Film Festival, in which each short is inspired by a holiday-themed word. This film, the second in the series, is inspired by the word “Santa.”

Secret Santa

Produced for Glass Eye Pix as part of their 2018 Creepy Christmas Film Festival, in which each short is inspired by a holiday-themed word. This film, the second in the series, is inspired by the word “Santa.”

Bonnie & Clyde

Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow embark on a two-year crime spree during the Great Depression and become known as the most famous criminal couple in U.S. history. In reality, as this film reveals, Bonnie and Clyde grew up in the slums of West Dallas and had little in common with their glamorous media images.

Liberty Kid

Liberty Kid is a 2007 low-budget American film that is directed by Ilya Chaiken. Two friends Derrick and Tico lost their jobs at a concession stand at the Statue of Liberty because of 9/11. In order to make money, they become drug dealers and participate in insurance scams. Derrick wants to go to college and has to support his two kids. When recruiters from the army come, Derrick decides to join the army because he is told that he'll get money for college and live rent free. When he tells his mom his decision, she says that she is afraid that he'll have to go to war. The recruiter tells him that his mom is only worried because it is her job as a mom.

Margarita Happy Hour

Five young women, each with children, meet once a week for $2 margaritas and discuss life, love and change.

Margarita Happy Hour

Five young women, each with children, meet once a week for $2 margaritas and discuss life, love and change.