News Archive
Category: Festival News
March 12, 2026
Grateful to be recognized by USA Today & Chicago Reader audiences
Festival News
The votes are in! The Chicago International Film Festival was recently named the No. 2 Best Film Festival in the U.S. for 2026 by USA TODAY readers – and the Best Film Festival in Chicago by Chicago Reader’s Best of Chicago poll! As USA TODAY wrote, we’ve...
January 26, 2026
13 Festival selections nominated at 98th Oscars
Festival NewsNews & Announcements
We’re thrilled that 13 Festival selections – 11 features and 2 shorts – have been nominated for the 98th Academy Awards, receiving a total of 47 nominations. Take a look at our Oscar-nominated films and how you can watch them: Sentimental Value Directed b...
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...
