Details Announced for Year-Long Celebration Including CineYouth, Summer Screenings Program, Retrospectives, and the 60th Anniversary Gala
CHICAGO, Illinois (March 25, 2024) - Today, Cinema/Chicago, the presenting organization of the Chicago International Film Festival, announced a slate of events and series leading up to the 60th edition of North America’s longest-running competitive film festival, set to unspool October 16 - 27, 2024 on screens across Chicago.
“Our 60th anniversary represents an opportunity for self reflection and for renewal and innovation,” said Cinema/Chicago Managing Director Vivian Teng. “As we celebrate this milestone, we’re not just looking back and celebrating, but also forward, envisioning the future of film in Chicago and the world.”
“Film is a unique medium that has the ability to transcend time and place,” said Cinema/Chicago Artistic Director Mimi Plauché. “The art form is still relatively young and still evolving, as is the Festival. Even as we are celebrating our 60th year, our audiences are getting younger and more diverse, as are the films we are programming. This anniversary year promises to be a celebration of this dynamic evolution, honoring our past while embracing the exciting possibilities ahead.”
Leading up to the 60th Chicago International Film Festival in October, Cinema/Chicago presents events and programs that celebrate the organization’s past while building for the future of film as a medium, both at the Festival and in Chicago.
19th CineYouth Film Festival
April 19 - 21, 2024 in person; April 22 - 28, 2024 streaming
This free showcase of films made by filmmakers age 22 and younger unspools for its 19th season at FACETS, 1517 W. Fullerton Ave. CineYouth’s screenings and workshops are free and open to the public; advance registration is recommended. For more information, schedules, and tickets: https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/cineyouth/
20th Annual Summer Screenings Program
May 22 - September 25, 2024
A long-time favorite event of Chicago’s film and culture-loving community, Cinema/Chicago presents short and feature films from 19 countries around the world every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at one of its two venues, the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St.) or the Chicago History Museum (1601 N. Clark St.). This year’s program pays tribute to the 60th anniversary by showcasing new or little-seen work by women filmmakers drawn from its distinguished roster of Festival alumnae. Screenings are free and open to the public; advance registration is recommended. For registration and programming information and schedules, set for release May 1: https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/summer-screenings/
60th Anniversary Cinema Soirée
June 1, 2024
The Chicago International Film Festival celebrates 60 years of cinematic excellence at The Geraghty (2520 S. Hoyne Ave.). Rub elbows with special guests, Festival programmers, and members of the film and television production community while building the future of the Festival. For tickets and more information: https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/event/60soiree/
Community Cinema Events
September - November 2024
A series of free screenings featuring past Festival titles and 60th Chicago International Film Festival premieres will be presented with filmmaker Q&As at select neighborhood locations in Englewood and Pilsen.
60th Chicago International Film Festival
October 16 - 27, 2024
More than 90 feature films from around the world will be presented at venues throughout the city including the AMC Newcity 14, the Gene Siskel Film Center, the Music Box Theatre, the Chicago History Museum, the David and Reva Logan Center for the Arts at the University of Chicago, and more. Join filmmakers, actors, artists, and journalists as they convene in the Windy City for the 60th anniversary of North America’s longest-running competitive film festival.
Industry Days
October 17 - 20, 2024
Celebrating its 10th year, Industry Days is the Chicago International Film Festival’s hub for filmmakers and professionals to connect, share ideas, and find inspiration. Past Industry Days panelists and presenters include writer-director Minhal Baig, composers Kris Bowers and Terence Blanchard; screenwriters Tarrell Alvin McCraney and John Logan; producers Charles D. King, Gigi Pritzker, and James D. Stern;directors Steve McQueen, Darren Aronofsky, and actor-director Michael Shannon; among others.
For more information, visit Cinema/Chicago’s website at https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/.
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Festival Information
Celebrating its 60th edition October 16 - 27, 2024, the Chicago International Film Festival is North America's longest-running competitive international film festival. Showcasing acclaimed and exciting new films from around the world, the 60th edition will be held in person in theaters and venues around the city and virtually, featuring a select program of films with closed captions. From dramas and thrillers to documentaries and comedies, the Festival presents a vast diversity of offerings, featuring competitive categories and programs including Black Perspectives; International Comedy; Women in Cinema; OutLook; After Dark; and the City & State program, showcasing films made in Chicago and throughout Illinois.
2024 Festival Sponsors and Partners
The 60th Chicago International Film Festival's sponsors include Festival Sponsors: Baker Tilly, Conagra Brands; Official Agency: Ogilvy; Publicity Agency: Acacia Consulting Group; Festival Supporters: Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, Make It Better Foundation, Chicago Film Office, Illinois Film Office; With Major Support from Robert and Penelope Steiner Family Foundation. This program is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, and a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.
About Cinema/Chicago
Cinema/Chicago, the presenting organization of the Chicago International Film Festival, is a year-round nonprofit arts and education organization dedicated to fostering better communication between people of diverse cultures through the art of film and the moving image. Cinema/Chicago's programs include the Chicago International Film Festival, Summer Screenings Program, CineYouth Festival, and year-round Education Program. Celebrating its 60th edition October 16 - 27, 2024, the Chicago International Film Festival is North America's longest-running competitive film festival. For more information, please visit www.chicagofilmfestival.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.