Best Chicago Film Festivals To Submit To In 2023
Chicago is home to several film festivals throughout the year, showcasing and screening a diverse range of films and providing a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work. Here are some of the most notable film festivals in Chicago.
The Chicago Independent Film Festival
Showcase your cinematic work at The Chicago Independent Film Festival.
Experience other enlightening work from across this creativity-centric city as you celebrate, learn, watch, and connect with filmmakers and other industry professionals from across the globe! Also, your chance to win in a multitude of categories! Even potentially lock down partnership deals, work opportunities, resources and more with our creative partners within the world of filmmaking and videography.
The Chicago Independent Film Festival celebrates all things cinema! No matter the genre, the length or the language. Our panel of judges comes from the world of cinema. Our awards and prizes range within sub-sections of the cinematic world.
The Chicago International Film Festival
Chicago International Film Festival: This event is one of the longest-running film festivals in North America, established in 1964. It takes place every October and features over 100 films from around the world, including international features, documentaries, and shorts.
Chicago Underground Film Festival
Chicago Underground Film Festival: This festival focuses on independent, experimental, and avant-garde films. It takes place every June and screens a wide range of films, from low-budget independent productions to more established experimental and documentary works.
Asian Pop-Up Cinema Chicago
Asian Pop-Up Cinema: This is a bi-annual film festival that takes place in Chicago and showcases contemporary Asian cinema, including films from Japan, China, South Korea, and other countries in the region.
The Chicago Latino Film Festival
Chicago Latino Film Festival: This festival celebrates Latino culture and heritage through film. It takes place every April and features a wide range of films from Latin America, Spain, and the United States.
The Black Harvest Film Festival
Black Harvest Film Festival: This festival celebrates the rich history, life and culture of the black community through film. It takes place every August and features films by black filmmakers from around the world, as well as films that explore the black experience.
In Conclusion: Best Chicago Film Festivals To Submit To In 2023
These are just a few of the film festivals that take place in Chicago throughout the year. Other notable festivals include the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, the Reeling LGBTQ+ International Film Festival, and the Chicago Palestine Film Festival.
Is there a film industry in Chicago?
Yes, there is a film industry in Chicago, although it is not as large as those in Los Angeles or New York. Chicago has a long history of filmmaking, with notable productions such as The Blues Brothers, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and The Dark Knight being filmed in the city.
Chicago is home to local film makers, several production companies, post-production houses, and sound stages, as well as a number of film schools and programs that train aspiring filmmakers. The city also offers a variety of incentives for filmmakers, including tax credits, rebates, and access to resources such as equipment and crew.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of television shows and feature films, being produced in Chicago, with productions such as Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Shameless being filmed in the city. Additionally, several independent filmmakers and production companies have established themselves in Chicago, creating a vibrant and diverse film community.
How do you get invited to film festivals?
The most common way of filming has been going to festivals. Submission for Film Festival. Identifying personal issues. The… Bring the film off the hook? … Find a connection. … Don’t let your movie go by without your time.
How to submit to Chicago Independent Film Festival 2023?
The final entry is due on July 24, 2023.
You can submit by using the following link to FilmFreeway: Click Here
Note From The Chicago Independent Film Festival Team:
We LOVE to bring appreciation to anything and everything to do with filmmaking, and we aim to bring value to those that make these achievement happen.
Our judges look thoroughly across the board for cinematic achievements:
-Direction
-Performance
-Writing (Scripts & Story overall)
-Composition
-Style
& Much More
At The Chicago Independent Film Festival, we celebrate the achievement of art, no matter what role you had in it. Our submitters range from:
-Directors
-Producers
-Actors
-DP’s (Directors of Photography)
-Independent Filmmaker
-Production Designers
-Women-specific activation categories
We want to see your incredible work. Submit to the Chicago Independent Film Festival Today!
Final Thoughts: Filmmaking Opportunties in Chicago
Chicago offers a variety of opportunities for filmmakers. Both in terms of creating their own independent projects and working on larger productions.
Here are some of the opportunities available for filmmakers in Chicago:
-
Independent Filmmaking. Chicago has a thriving independent film community, with a number of festivals and events dedicated to showcasing independent films. This provides opportunities for filmmakers to showcase their work, network with other professionals in the industry, and find funding and distribution for their projects.
-
Production Companies. Chicago is home to several production companies that work on a variety of projects, including commercials, music videos, and feature films. These companies offer opportunities for filmmakers to work in a variety of roles, from directing and producing to cinematography and post-production.
-
Television Shows. Chicago has become a popular location for television shows in recent years, with several ongoing productions such as Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Empire. These shows offer opportunities for filmmakers to work in a variety of roles, from camera operators and lighting technicians to production assistants and script supervisors.
-
Film Schools and Programs. Chicago is home to several film schools and programs, including Columbia College Chicago, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and DePaul University. These schools offer opportunities for aspiring filmmakers to learn the craft, gain practical experience, and network with professionals in the industry.
-
Film Festivals. Chicago is home to several film festivals, including the Chicago International Film Festival and the Chicago Underground Film Festival. These festivals offer opportunities for filmmakers to showcase their work, network with other professionals in the industry, and gain exposure for their projects.
Overall, Chicago offers a wide range of opportunities for filmmakers. From independent projects to larger productions, providing a vibrant and diverse community for filmmakers to pursue their passions. This has been a look at the best Chicago Film Festivals to submit to in 2023.
