52nd Annual Chicago International Film Festival
The Windy City is never silent or still; it’s part of why we love to call this place our home. So, although we’ve had a summer full of excitement and seemingly endless community festivities, please don’t get the idea that things are about to get boring. We’ve only just begun!
Our city is gearing up for yet another exciting event, and if you love cinema, it’s one you definitely will not want to miss. Here’s what you need to know:
The 52nd Annual Chicago International Film Festival begins Thursday, October 13th, and will run through Thursday, October 27th, hosting a vast and exciting selection of bold new works from filmmakers from around the world, including 125 feature films from more than 50 different countries!
All films will be screened at AMC River East 21, 322 E. Illinois St. Here’s a look at what you can expect from this year’s lineup:
Thursday, October 13
Thursday’s Opening Night kick off for this magical cinematic event invites all to join in a special screening of La La Land, written and directed by Academy Award nominee Damien Chazelle. A pre-film reception will be held from 5-7 p.m. at Ogden Plaza at the Sheraton Hotel Chicago on North Water St., giving film-goers a chance to grab cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.
Red carpet arrivals for the opening night presentation will start at 6:30 p.m. at AMC River East 21 on E. Illinois St. The guest presentation will start at 7:30 p.m. followed by the premiere of La La Land.
Friday, October 14
Screenings Friday will start at 1:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 15
Screenings Saturday start at 11:45 a.m. There will also be a special festival tribute to Geraldine Chaplin at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 16
Screenings Sunday start at 11:00 a.m. The Black Lives Matter and the Media festival panel will be at 4:00 p.m. There will also be a special festival tribute Peter Bogdanovich from 5:00-7:30 p.m. followed by a special event reception from 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Monday, October 17
Screenings Monday start at noon. There will be a special presentation and festival tribute for Alfonso Arau from 5:30-8:00 p.m. followed by an after part from 8:00-10:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 18
Screenings Tuesday start at noon. The New Directors Panel: The Political and The Personal, will start at 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday October 19
Screenings Wednesday start at noon.
Thursday, October 20
Screenings Thursday start at 11:45 a.m. A special festival event and industry discussion will take place from 4:30-5:30 p.m. featuring The Money Is Here! Chicago Financiers, Angels, and Instigators. Later in the evening, there will also be a special industry tribute to James D. Stern from 7:00-8:00 p.m. followed by a reception from 8:30-10:30 p.m.
Friday, October 21
Screenings Friday start at noon. There will be a festival industry panel discussing Punchlines: How To Make Sh*t Funny from 2:00-3:00 p.m. The Hollywood Dealmaker panel will follow soon after at 4:00 p.m. Also, a festival special event – the 52nd Chicago International Film Festival Awards Ceremony will be Friday night at 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 22
Screenings Saturday start at 11:45 a.m. Black Cinema Then and Now: 25 Years After The New Black Wave will be held from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Later in the evening, a special Black Perspectives Tribute will honor Steve McQueen from 6:30-8:00 p.m. followed by an after party from 8:00-11:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 23
Screenings Sunday start at 12:30 p.m. There will be a special panel conversation with Taraji P. Henson at 8:30 p.m.
Monday, October 24
Screenings Monday start at 12:00 p.m. Following the Monday screening of Insatiable: The Homaro Cantu Story, there will be a special reception from 8:00-10:00 p.m. featuring Chloe Wine Collection and a specially created menu of hors d’oeuvres by former Moto Executive Chef, Richie Farina.
Tuesday, October 25
Screenings Tuesday start at noon.
Wednesday, October 26
Screenings Wednesday start at 12:15 p.m.
Thursday, October 27
On this last day of the festival, a Best of the Fest screening will start at 5:30 p.m. The festival will end with an after-party where festival-goers can treat themselves to cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.
For a full list of films, screening times, synopses and more festival information, contact festival staff at 312.683.0121 or via email at info@chicagofilmfestival.com.
