ABOUT THE CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The Chicago International Film Festival celebrates the best that cinema has to offer. Showcasing films from established masters and emerging storytellers, the Festival welcomes films from around the world. Offering an impressive selection of competitive and non-competitive programming, the Chicago International Film Festival brings films both domestic and international to silver screens in Chicago.

As one of the main cultural importers of world cinema to the Midwest, the Chicago International Film Festival is a place for audiences and filmmakers to engage with one another. The Festival features a host of screenings, panels, educational events, and Q&A’s that foster cultural understanding and artistic engagement. In 2024, the 60th Chicago International Film Festival presented 123 feature films and 71 short films from 63 countries.

FESTIVAL SECTIONS
The Chicago International Film Festival is the longest-running competitive film festival in North America. The Festival is dedicated to the discovery of new voices. We are inclusive in our programming, embracing and uplifting a wide range of identities, cultures, genres, aesthetics, and perspectives. Films are programmed in a variety of competitive and non-competitive sections as we present a festival that is designed to excite, provoke, enrich, and entertain.

Competitive Sections:

• International Feature Film Competition

• New Directors Competition

• Documentary Competition

• OutLook Competition

• Short Film Competitions (Animation, Documentary, Live Action)

• City & State (Illinois-based films competing for the Chicago Award)

Out of Competition Sections:

• After Dark

• Black Perspectives

• Comedy

• Plus many more curated programs across genres and forms.

AWARDS & PRIZES

• Gold Hugo (Best International Feature)

• Best Actor, Actress, Director, Writer (International Feature category)

• Best New Director

• Best Documentary

• QHugo Award (OutLook Competition)

• Best Live Action Short

• Best Documentary Short

• Best Animated Short

• Chicago Award (City & State program)

Winners of the Short Film Competitions may qualify for Academy Awards® consideration.

RULES & TERMS
A. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Completion date: AFTER August 1, 2024

• Premiere date: AFTER October 27, 2024

• Must be at least a Chicago premiere; U.S. premieres preferred

• Not eligible if:

  • Publicly screened theatrically in Chicago

  • Had a US theatrical run

  • Aired on US TV or online in IL/IN/WI

  • Available publicly on DVD/Blu-ray or online (for features)

• Short films may be online, but not previously submitted

• Must be in English or have English subtitles

B. SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

• Submit via secure online screener (Vimeo recommended; download enabled)

• Complete entry includes screener + fee

• Unfinished works accepted but only the submitted version will be reviewed

• DCP required for theatrical screening (unless arranged otherwise)

• Specs for online screenings provided if selected

C. DEADLINES

• Early deadline: April 8, 2025

• Regular deadline: June 9, 2025

• Late deadline: June 30, 2025

D. JUDGING & SELECTION

• Selection by the Festival’s programming committee

• Notification by September 15, 2025

• No feedback for unselected films

• Main competition sections judged during the Festival

• Other categories judged prior

E. ENTRY FEES

• Entry fee required (non-refundable)

• Payable via credit card or check/money order to Cinema/Chicago

F. ACCESSIBILITY

• Strongly encourage Open/Closed Captioning and/or Audio Description

• Captions = dialogue, effects, music; Subtitles = dialogue only

• Reference guide: https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com

• Email: access@chicagofilmfestival.com

• 20% fee discount for entries with access materials already included (inquire via entries@chicagofilmfestival.com)