It doesn’t matter how weird and niche your favorite genre is. I’m here to prove to you that Chicago definitely has a film festival for you. And lucky for us, lots of them take place in the fall!
Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to check out festivals’ volunteer opportunities — it’s a great way to get in for free!
The longest-running underground film festival in the world, CUFF exhibits “the most genre-defying, groundbreaking, and unique films,” and champions independent filmmakers who might be sidelined by traditional film fests.
The festival began Sept. 23 and runs through Sept. 27. One of the feature films is called “The Misconceived,” and explores “what it costs to keep calling yourself an artist after the dream has already failed.”
The 44th annual Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival takes place Sept. 17 to 27, featuring award-winning feature films, social documentaries, and shorts. It’s the second-longest-running film festival of its kind and prides itself on demonstrating the rich diversity of the LGBTQ+ community.
This one-of-a-kind short film fest celebrates emerging women and gender-expansive filmmakers. It takes place from Oct. 11 to 13 at the Music Box Theatre.
The festival’s closing night will showcase Emily Robinson’s feature-length debut “Ugly Cry,” which follows an actress’ attempts to contort herself until she achieves the “perfect cry.” After the show, stick around for a Q&A with the film’s creators, whose previous works include “Eighth Grade” and “The Craft.”
One of the largest film festivals in Chicago runs from Oct. 14 to 25 and features more than 150 films from over 50 countries. Each year, about 45,000 people attend the festival, which spans several theaters throughout the city.
Don’t miss out on free screenings! This Sunday, check out a showing of the Spanish and Argentinian film “Oca” at the National Museum of Mexican Art at 1852 W. 19th St.
