Chicago International Film Festival celebrates its 60th year

CHICAGO, IL - The Chicago International Film Festival is set to make an impressive return in 2024 for its 60th anniversary. Running from October 16 to 27, the festival will showcase an extraordinary range of films, with over 130 feature films and 71 shorts from more than 60 countries. Attendees can expect a diverse blend of genres, voices, and cinematic styles, making it a must-see event for film lovers in the city and beyond. The festival’s venues include the Music Box Theatre, Gene Siskel Film Center, AMC New City 14, and more, with screenings also held at cultural institutions like the Chicago History Museum and the National Museum of Mexican Art.

One of the most anticipated events is the Opening Night screening of The Piano Lesson, directed by Malcolm Washington and starring John David Washington, which promises to captivate audiences with its emotional depth and powerful performances. The festival will also honor several celebrated filmmakers and actors, with Robert Zemeckis receiving the Founder’s Legacy Award and André Holland set to appear for a special evening celebrating his career. These prestigious tributes and awards highlight the festival’s commitment to showcasing both groundbreaking contemporary work and honoring the legends of cinema.

In addition to star-studded presentations, the festival offers a platform for emerging voices and local talent. Five locally produced films will be competing for the coveted Chicago Award, including Desire Lines, The Light of Truth, and Time Passages, which represent a broad spectrum of storytelling from documentaries to narrative features. The festival remains dedicated to promoting Chicago’s rich film culture and supporting filmmakers from the city, ensuring that local stories are given the recognition they deserve.

With world premieres, U.S. debuts, and a broad selection of films from around the globe, the Chicago International Film Festival is truly a cinematic celebration. Audiences will have the opportunity to see films like Nightbitch, starring Amy Adams, and Pedro Almodóvar’s English-language debut The Room Next Door, making this year’s lineup particularly dynamic. As the longest-running competitive film festival in North America, Chicago continues to be a cultural hub for the cinematic arts, and this year’s festival promises to be one of its most memorable yet.