Series

Midwest Independence: Kris Swanberg

Kris Rey (formally Swanberg) began her film career at Southern Illinois University, where she studied documentary film production. Using naturalistic techniques and often working with non-actors, Rey went on to focus her career in narrative film. Her first feature, It Was Great, But I Was Ready To Come Home played in competition at the SXSW Film Festival in 2009, followed by her next feature, Empire Builder (2012) and short film Baby Mary (2014). Unexpected, starring Cobie Smulders and Anders Holm, premiered in competition at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival and is Rey’s third feature. Rey lives and works in Chicago.