Welcome! I’m Maddie, and I am a documentarian and marketing manager based in Chicago, IL.
While I live in Chicago, I also spend time in my hometown of Columbia, SC whenever I get the chance. My tight-knit family fostered in me a belief in community and storytelling from a young age, and today I am most interested in telling stories about women and queer folk, social justice issues, and the American South, in a desire to uplift voices and provoke empathy. I am fortunate enough to be continuing my love of history, anthropology, media, film and photography into college.
Peaches (2025->)
Peaches is my newest project, a poetic and deeply personal documentary exploring the strength and beauty of femme Southerners navigating life in a post-overturned-Roe America. Through personal narratives, historical reflection, and a focus on the natural world, this film reveals how gender, power, and politics intersect in the South. Myself and a small crew are currently fundraising, ramping up to film this upcoming April, and aiming to have a completed short version of the film by the end of May. After I graduate this spring, I intend to continue working on this passion project and develop it into a feature-length documentary. You can learn more about this project and our fundraising goal here!
Construction Notice (2024)
A short experimental documentary told through archival images and sound, emphasizing how our obsession with modernity diminishes the history and character of our surroundings, specifically focused on DePaul University’s history of reconstruction ventures, and their newest announcement to renovate the first floor of SAC, one of the only buildings left on campus that resembles the time it was constructed. My final project for experimental documentary and own take on the content and form used in the short documentary SIT WHERE THE LIGHT CORRUPTS YOUR FACE (2022) directed by Gillian Waldo.
Researched, directed, and edited by Maddie Voelkel
Keeping the Dream Alive (2024)
For years, Chicago has had an eclectic and thriving underground music scene, kickstarting the careers of dozens of famous bands and solo artists. But because of the pandemic, spaces where new artists could begin performing became few and far in between. In 2021, beginning as an effort to put on their own shows, musicians and co-founders Cam and TYGKO had inadvertently created a frenetic and welcoming space for local Chicago artists of any genre and any level of experience, in a small, abandoned and unassuming upstairs black box theater in Lakeview, with an address that is hidden to the public. Today, “Bookclub” is a first stop for Chicago musicians just trying to get their foot in the door. Bookclub to me represents what is wonderful and rare about Chicago’s DIY music scene compared to others in the country—it is a supportive, experimental, and diverse environment that encourages participation. "Keeping the Dream Alive” is an homage to the space, musicians, and founders at Bookclub, in attempt to shed light on a local space with big dreams.
Directed by Maddie Voelkel
Grant Slam Fest!
For the past two years, myself and 3 peers have worked independently to bring a free local music and arts festival to our community in Chicago. In addition to being on the Grant Slam board, conceptualizing and figuring out event logistics, I also coordinate vending, manage our social media presence, and design our annual Grant Slam “zine”.
Campus Ambassador for NEON
Since September of 2023 I have been lucky enough to serve as an intern at a film production and distribution company that I admire. As DePaul’s campus ambassador, I come up with marketing strategies and host events aimed at engaging students more with NEON as a brand.
Chicago International Film Festival
March 2023-October 2023, I served as a programming intern for CIFF. I watched films submitted to festival, and evaluated them using a set of criteria. The experience has given me more insight into the festival circuit as well as a solid understanding of the components that make a good film. This past October, I assisted with the festival’s Industry Days program, which hosts screenings, Q&As, and networking events for the festival.
Photography
From street photography to landscapes to concert photography, I have a passion for preserving moments. Film and digital, you can check out some of my work at the link below!
Let’s get in touch!
Contact me on email for a quick response!
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