Donate to Cinema/Chicago

More than a 12-day film festival, Cinema/Chicago is a year-round non-profit cultural and educational organization dedicated to fostering better communication between people of diverse cultures through the art of film and the moving image. Your generous donation helps us carry out this mission. Our programs keep our community vibrant, bringing audiences and students into contact with great art and the artists behind the work!

Every level of donation matters. Your donation of:

• $50 transports 10 students to one of our free Education Program screenings
• $100 provides an honorarium for one teaching artist at a CineYouth workshop
• $300 allows us to present one of our free international screenings at the Chicago Cultural Center every summer
• $500 supports 10 youth participants of the CineYouth Film Challenge
• $1,000 provides airfare and accommodation for one U.S. filmmaker to the Chicago International Film Festival

Show your love of film and our year-round programming by making a 100% tax deductible donation today!

Does your employer offer a matching gift program? If they do, it could more than double the impact of your donation!

If you have any questions please email Managing Director Vivian Teng at vteng@chicagofilmfestival.com.

What We Do

Education

Our Education Program gives Chicago Public School students and educators access to a variety of international feature films and documentaries and provides buses, theaters, speakers, study guides, and teacher support entirely free of charge.

Film Festival

The oldest competitive film festival in North America, the Chicago International Film Festival is a world-renowned annual event that presents more than 150 films from more than 50 countries for Chicago audiences.

Year-Round Initiatives

From our CineYouth Festival to our International Screenings Program to our Membership program, Cinema/Chicago’s year-round programs enhance the cultural assets of the city of Chicago by exhibiting a diverse selection of films from around the world.

Hear From Supporters of Cinema/Chicago

“The CineYouth Festival has given me great opportunities to explore my dreams of becoming a filmmaker. It is a great outlet for young artists to express themselves to the world, an aspect that I have not seen in any other film festival.”

-Andres Aurelio, age 18, Lincoln Park High School

“I love Cinema/Chicago because it offers the opportunity to see a variety of amazing films throughout the year. I also enjoy meeting other members that have a love for great films! It is a wonderful community of nice people.”

-Nerissa Legge, Cinema/Chicago Member

“Being at the Chicago International Film Festival, it really reminds me that I haven’t made my ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ yet – I haven’t made my ‘Grapes of Wrath’ yet. It makes me hungry. I will go home from here with a healthy appetite to keep working.”

–Steven Spielberg, Director and Festival Honoree

“I love Cinema/Chicago because no one else brings such a rich variety of stories to Chicago audiences. From polished modern classics to raw, visceral narratives from all-corners of the world, Cinema/Chicago is my way to live a thousand lives, two hours at a time.”

–Lauren Robishaw, Board Member