News Archive
Category: Festival News
October 28, 2025
Sirât takes home Gold Hugo, other award winners announced at 61st Festival
Festival News
The Chicago International Film Festival announced the award winners from its 61st edition, with Oliver Laxe’s Sirât—Spain’s submission for Best International Feature—taking home the Gold Hugo for Best Film in the International Feature Competition. “It is rare to find a film that m...
October 9, 2025
Hidden Gems at the 61st #ChiFilmFest
Behind the ScenesFestival News
We’re thrilled to screen more than 110 feature films at the 61st Chicago International Film Festival, from acclaimed awards-winners making their Chicago premieres to special retrospective screenings, works from new directors, inspiring documentaries, sizzling shorts, and more. Our Progra...
October 8, 2025
18 Must-See Films at the 61st Chicago International Film Festival
Festival NewsPartner Content
“We pride ourselves on introducing Chicago audiences to the art form’s most exciting new voices,” Artistic Director Mimi Plauché says, pointing to the robust shorts program and New Directors Competition for first and second features. At the same time, she adds, “movies are best experienced togeth...
October 7, 2025
Filmmaker Spotlight: Esta Isla with Lorraine Jones Molina & Cristian Carretero
Behind the ScenesFestival News
Lorraine Jones Molina & Cristian Carretero are award-winning Puerto Rican filmmakers who’ve worked in documentary, shorts, and TV. Their narrative debut feature, This Island, or Esta Isla, debuted at Tribeca where it won Best Cinematography, Best New Narrative Director, and a Special...
September 28, 2025
Director Spotlight: James Choi on Before the Call
Behind the ScenesFestival News
James Choi is an award-winning Chicago-based filmmaker and an assistant professor at DePaul University’s School of Cinematic Arts. He’s produced multiple award-winning films, including Made in China, which won our Silver Hugo in 2009, and Saint Frances, which won the SXSW Special Jury Aw...
