Uploaded January 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
Hoop Dreams was famously called “the great American documentary” by Roger Ebert. It’s also, of course, a quintessentially Chicago film. Hoop Dreams turns 30 this year, its story of two young Chicagoans (Arthur Agee and William Gates) trying to become professional basketball players as resonant as ever. Arthur and William, along with director/producer Steve James, director of photography/producer Peter Gilbert, and producer Frederick Marx, join Chicago Humanities and Kartemquin Films to look back at the film that changed their lives while reflecting on what has — and hasn’t changed — for young men and women chasing their dreams on the basketball courts of Chicago.
Chicago Humanities’ Social Justice & Equity Series is generously supported by Allstate and ITW
Donate now to support programs like this: chicagohumanities.org/donate
Explore upcoming events: chicagohumanities.org
Connect on Twitter: twitter.com/ChiHumanities
Connect on Facebook: facebook.com/chicagohumanities
Connect on Instagram: instagram.com/chihumanities
Hoop Dreams was famously called “the great American documentary” by Roger Ebert. It’s also, of course, a quintessentially Chicago film. Hoop Dreams turns 30 this year, its story of two young Chicagoans (Arthur Agee and William Gates) trying to become professional basketball players as resonant as ever. Arthur and William, along with director/producer Steve James, director of photography/producer Peter Gilbert, and producer Frederick Marx, join Chicago Humanities and Kartemquin Films to look back at the film that changed their lives while reflecting on what has — and hasn’t changed — for young men and women chasing their dreams on the basketball courts of Chicago.
Chicago Humanities’ Social Justice & Equity Series is generously supported by Allstate and ITW
Donate now to support programs like this: chicagohumanities.org/donate
Explore upcoming events: chicagohumanities.org
Connect on Twitter: twitter.com/ChiHumanities
Connect on Facebook: facebook.com/chicagohumanities
Connect on Instagram: instagram.com/chihumanities
