Sarah Silverman coming for Chicago film fest

During my chat in Toronto with Sarah Silverman about her career-changing performance in “I Smile Back,” the actress and comedian told me, “I am SO excited to be coming to Chicago next month! I love Chicago! It’s one of my very favorite cities.”

Silverman will be in town to promote her movie at the 51st annual Chicago International Film Festival — showcasing her first dramatic lead role that will surely amaze fans of her comedy. In “I Smile Back,” based on Amy Koppelman’s novel, Silverman plays Laney, a suburban mom who appears to have it all: a terrific husband (played by Josh Charles), two adorable kids and a very comfortable lifestyle. Unfortunately, Laney’s addiction to drugs and alcohol come to threaten everything .

• While in Toronto for the Canadian city’s big film festival, I ran into Chaz Ebert, who was heading to the luncheon where the Toronto International Film Festival was to present its annual award to a filmmaker — in memory of our late, great Roger Ebert. This year’s honoree, “Selma” director Ava DuVernay, claimed the honor given last year to the award’s first honoree, Martin Scorsese.