All event venues are fully wheelchair accessible for audiences, with no-step entrances or ramp access, and elevators. All venues offer wheelchair-designated spaces, companion seating, easy-access theater seating, and accessible restrooms. Those who have specific seating requirements can notify a staff member or theater manager and get early access to all screenings.

All of our non-English-language films have English subtitles. Select in-person and virtual films will have Closed Captions (CC) or Audio Description (AD) available. Please note, not all venues will have CC devices available. Select in-person films will screen with Open Captions (OC). These screenings will be announced and publicized on our website and program guides.

CART Captioning will be available at select Q&As and panels.

Open captions always are in view and cannot be turned off, whereas closed captions can be turned on and off by the viewer.

An assistive listening device are personal technologies that will amplify film or microphone audio. Please note, not all venues will have ALD’s, and not all ALD’s will be compatible with Audio Description.

While all of our theaters offer wheelchair accessible spaces, companion seats, or other accessible seating options, these are first-come first-serve. Please note if you have an accessibility need you do get early access to the theater, just notify a staff person or theater manager. To reserve a spot you can do any of the following:

• Fill out this Accommodation Request Form
• Call our Box Office Hotline at (312) 332-3456
• Email us at ticketing-info@chicagofilmfestival.com

ASL Interpreters are available upon request. Please fill out the Accommodation Request Form to request an interpreter. Please note that any requests made less than a week before your scheduled screening cannot be guaranteed.

The Chicago International Film Festival does not provide 1:1 interpreters, personal aids, or guides. Attendees who require these can request a Companion ticket for their selected film. This will allow them to provide the necessary accommodations to accompany them without the purchase of an additional ticket.

Our Accommodation Request Form is great for giving feedback as well! You can also fill out the Film Event Accessibility Scorecard to give us feedback.

You can email us at access@chicagofilmfestival.com or call 312.683.0121 x108

Screenings with Assistive Listening Devices available

All screenings at the Gene Siskel Film Center have assistive listening devices available.

See all films screening at the Gene Siskel Film Center

ASL Interpreters

ASL Interpreters are available by request. When they have already been assigned to an event, they will be added to this page. If you would like to request an ASL interpreter, please fill out the Accommodation Request form or email access@chicagofilmfestival.com.

ADA Priority Entrance

In addition to reserved accessible seating, we offer ADA Priority Entrance. This will allow those who need accessible seating priority entrance into the theater so they can choose the seats that will make the film most accessible to them. If you would like to request ADA Priority Entrance, please fill out the Accommodation Request for or email access@chicagofilmfestival.com.

Sensory

For those with sensory sensitivities, there will be sensory items (ear plugs, sunglasses, fidget tools) available at the AMC New City, The Music Box, and GSFC. Staff and volunteers will also be equipped in showing you to a quiet space when asked for assistance.

Quiet Room

A sensory-friendly quiet room space will be available at AMC NEWCITY 14. It is located on the second floor, just past the red carpet. The room will be open October 17th–27th, will open 30 minutes before the first screening, and will close halfway through the last screening each day.

Service Animals

Service animals are always allowed. Emotional Support animals are not permitted.

Companion Pass

Attendees who require assistance during the event can request a Companion Pass for an attendant or aid to accompany them. The Companion Pass does not grant access to any events without the ticketed patron. If you would like to request a Companion Pass, please fill out the Accommodation Request form or email access@chicagofilmfestival.com.

Additional Accommodations

If something that is not listed here would make our event more accessible to you, please fill out the Accommodation Request Form or email access@chicagofilmfestival.com to discuss what options we may have available for you.

The North/Clybourn Red Line station is within 0.2 miles of NEWCITY, but is not a physically accessible station as it does not have an elevator. The #8 CTA bus has a stop 400 feet from the venue, and the #9 and #72 CTA buses are 0.2 miles away.

There is a parking garage attached to the building, with specific spots designated for those using mobility devices. The garage elevator opens up on the 3rd floor, right outside the theater entrance. The AMC parking validation is $2 for the first 3 hours, and $12 for the first 5 hours.

Closed Caption, Assistive Listening/Descriptive Audio devices are available for select festival screenings.

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The #22, #36, and #72 CTA buses stop right outside the main entrance of the museum. The #9, #73, #151, and #156 CTA buses are all within .2 miles of the museum. The Sedgwick Brown Line Station is within 0.5 miles, and is an accessible station with an elevator between street level and the platform.

Parking is located less than 500 feet north of the museum on Stockton Dr. Parking can be validated for $10 at the Museum’s box office. Specific spots are designated for those using mobility devices.

Wheelchairs are available for your use at the Chicago History Museum. Supply is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Assistive listening receivers with headphones and T-Coil neck loops are available for programs in the Robert R. McCormick Theater. These devices may not be compatible with festival films.

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The Lake Red Line Station is located right outside the main entrance and is an accessible station with an elevator. The State/Lake Brown, Orange, Purple, Green, and Pink Line Station is within 400 feet of the venue, but is not a physically accessible station as it does not have an elevator. The #2, #10, #29, #146, and #148 CTA buses have stops within 300 feet of the venue.

Both theaters are equipped with T-Coil hearing loops, headset and transmitters are available at the box office.

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The #75 CTA bus stop is less than 0.25 miles from the park. The 79th Street Red Line Station is 1 mile away, and is an accessible station with an elevator between street level and the platform. A parking lot is located just outside the main entrance to the building, with specific spots designated for people using mobility devices.

There is a ramp leading up to the main entrance to the field house. The Hamilton Park field house is equipped with accessible restrooms.

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The Southport Brown Line Station is within 0.5 miles of the venue and is an accessible station with an elevator between street level and the platform. The #152 CTA bus stop is 0.2 miles from the theater. Southport is a metered parking street. Free street parking is available on and west of Ashland Ave and north of Irving Park.

Theater 1 is equipped with a recently installed T-Coil hearing loop system.

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The Damen Pink Line Station is 0.2 miles from the museum, it is an accessible station with an elevator between street level and the platform. The #9, #18, #21, and #50 CTA buses are within 0.4 miles of the venue. Parking is available in the Ray Castro Parking Lot and Plaza, located on the east side of the Museum. The lot is open daily from 8:00 am – 11:00 pm at a rate of $3 per hour.

NMMA also offers sensory bags, they include fidgets, ear defenders, sunglasses, and an activity sheet to assist while exploring the Museum. Please visit the front desk to check out a sensory bag.

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The #2 CTA bus has a stop right outside the theater on 60th, with the #4 CTA bus stop located 0.1 miles away. The #192, #2, #4, #171, #172, and #59 CTA buses are all within 0.2 miles of the venue. The Cottage Grove Green Line Station is within 0.5 miles of the theater, and is an accessible station with an elevator between street level and the platform.

Street Parking is available all around campus. The Wells Lot, located at the corner of S. Drexel Avenue and E. 60th Street, is free on weekends and after 4 pm on weekdays.

A limited number of wheelchairs are available for free on a first-come, first-served basis, and can be requested at both welcome desks. Assisted listening devices for the Performance Hall are available upon request.

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