"One Golden Summer" World Premiere to Open 61st Chicago International Film Festival

North America’s Longest-Running Competitive Film Festival Runs October 15 - 26, 2025

CHICAGO, Illinois (September 3, 2025) - The 61st Chicago International Film Festival is set to open Wednesday October 15, 2025 with the World Premiere ofONE GOLDEN SUMMER, the true story behind Chicago’s Jackie Robinson West Little League team’s heartbreaking fall from grace and the subsequent road to redemption, as told by the players themselves. Kevin Shaw’s documentary will screen at the Music Box Theatre; tickets on sale at 11 a.m. today atwww.chicagofilmfestival.com. 

In 2014, Chicago’s Jackie Robinson West Little League became the first all-Black team to win the Little League U.S. Baseball Championship. Along the way, 13 twelve-year-old athletes from the South Side turned into media superstars—their faces were splashed across magazine covers and major TV networks, garnering them millions of fans around the country. They were even invited to the White House to meet President and Mrs. Obama. But it all came crashing down after a rival coach accused the team of breaking residential boundary rules.

Award-winning filmmaker Kevin Shaw (LET THE LITTLE LIGHT SHINE,AMERICA TO ME) deftly investigates the story behind the headlines, shattering stereotypes and reframing the narrative. Through conversations with the charismatic young athletes, now adults, as well as reporters, coaches, and parents, ONE GOLDEN SUMMER shines a vivid spotlight on the complex issues of race, power, and money all too prevalent in youth sports. Above all, Shaw’s sensitive film is a universal story about personal resilience, the strength of family, and what it means to be a true champion.

The Chicago International Film Festival runs October 15 - 26, 2026 with film screenings and programs presented at venues across the city including AMC NEWCITY 14, the Music Box Theatre, the Gene Siskel Film Center, the Chicago History Museum, the Reva and David Logan Center at University of Chicago, and at pop-up locations in partnership with Kennedy-King College and the National Museum of Mexican Art. 

The full slate of films for the 61st Chicago International Film festival will be announced on September 18, 2025. Tickets for Opening Night are on sale now, with tickets to the rest of the Festival’s presentations going on sale to the general public September 26, 2025. Cinema/Chicago members’ pre-sale tickets go on sale September 19, 2025; memberships now available atwww.chicagofilmfestival.com/membership. 

For more information, visit https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/.

# # #

Images available in the Chicago International Film Festival Media Center at this link.

Facebook: facebook.com/chicagofilmfestival/

Instagram: @ChiFilmFest

Hashtag: #ChiFilmFest

Festival Information

Celebrating its 61st edition October 15 - 26, 2025, 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 61st edition will be held in person in theaters and venues around the city featuring a select program of films with open and 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; OutLook; After Dark; and the City & State program, showcasing films made in Chicago and throughout Illinois.

2025 Festival Sponsors and Partners

The 61st Chicago International Film Festival's sponsors include Festival Sponsors: Adobe, Baker Tilly, CineCity Studios, Cinespace Studios, ConAgra Brands, Fannie May, Illinois Production Alliance, Make It Better Foundation, MUBI, Panavision, SAGindie, Tito’s Vodka, Wintrust. Official Agency: Ogilvy; Publicity Agency: Acacia Consulting Group; With Major Support from Robert and Penelope Steiner Family Foundation, John and Jacolyn Bucksbaum Family Foundation, Charles Droege and Julie Wroblewski, GS Gives - Christopher M. Keogh, and Cynthia Stone Raskin. This program is supported in part by 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 non-profit 501(c)(3) presenting organization of the Chicago International Film Festival, enriches the community through year-round programming devoted to international and independent cinema. We strengthen communication and inspire empathy among people of diverse cultures through artistic, educational, and creative development programs that promote discovery and discussion and inspire new visions of our shared future. Cinema/Chicago's programs include the Chicago International Film Festival, Summer Screenings, CineYouth Festival, Industry Days, Chicago Industry Exchange Lab (CIX: Lab), and Community Cinema Celebrating its 61st edition October 15 - 26, 2025, the Chicago International Film Festival is North America's longest-running competitive film festival. For more information, please visitwww.chicagofilmfestival.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.