About the Film Festival
The Chicago International Film Festival celebrates the best that cinema has to offer. Showcasing films from established masters and emerging storytellers, the Festival welcomes films from around the world. Offering an impressive selection of competitive and non-competitive programming, the Chicago International Film Festival brings films both domestic and international to screens in Chicago.
As one of the main cultural importers of world cinema to the Midwest, the Chicago International Film Festival is a place for audiences and filmmakers to engage with one another. The Festival features a host of screenings, panels, educational events, and Q&A’s that foster cultural understanding and artistic engagement. In 2025, the 61st Chicago International Film Festival presented 114 feature films and 62 short films from 70 countries.
Authorization Letter
FESTIVAL SECTIONS
The Chicago International Film Festival is the longest-running competitive film festival in North America. The Festival is dedicated to the discovery of new voices. We are inclusive in our programming, embracing and uplifting a wide range of identities, cultures, genres, aesthetics, and perspectives. Films are programmed in a variety of competitive and non-competitive sections as we present a festival that is designed to excite, provoke, enrich, and entertain.
International Feature Film Competition
Representing a wide variety of styles and genres, these works compete for the top honor, the Gold Hugo - as well as awards for best actor, actress, director, writer, and more - in North America's longest-running competitive film festival.
New Directors Competition
This selection of first and second feature films, receiving their U.S. premiere in Chicago, celebrates the spirit of discovery and innovation upon which the Festival was founded. To be eligible for the competition, films must be at least a U.S. premiere if selected for the Festival.
Documentary Competition
Global in scope and representing a wide range of approaches to documentary form, this program offers a diverse cross-section of contemporary non-fiction filmmaking in both competitive and non-competitive sections. To be eligible for the International Documentary Competition, films must be at least a U.S. premiere if selected for the Festival.
OutLook Competition
Competing for the Festival’s QHugo Award, these superbly crafted films reflect the myriad perspectives and experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Short Film Competitions
Annually showcasing excellence in short filmmaking from around the globe, this competition highlights the work of both upcoming artists and masters of the short subject form. Programmed films are eligible for awards in the following categories: Animation, Documentary, and Live Action. The winners of the Best Live Action, Best Documentary Short, and Best Animated Short awards are eligible to be considered by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the Academy Awards®.
City & State
This program celebrates Illinois’ rich filmmaking tradition, showcasing the best features, documentaries, and short films with their roots right here in Illinois. Films in this section compete for the Chicago Award, given to the year’s best Illinois film.
Subject ：
Video Format ：MPEG4 DCP
OFFICIAL REGULATIONS
A.) Eligibility Requirements
Completion Date
Films must have been completed on or AFTER August 1, 2025.
Films completed before August 1, 2025 are NOT eligible.
Premiere Date
Films must premier/have premiered AFTER October 26, 2025.
Films premiered anywhere on or before October 26, 2025 are NOT eligible.
Premiere Status
Films must be at least a Chicago premiere.
U.S. premieres are given priority.
Films shown at private screenings not open to the public (for crew, investors, etc.) are eligible.
Films are NOT eligible if they:
Have theatrically screened publicly in the Chicago area.
Have had a theatrical run in the US prior to the Festival dates.
Have aired on US television prior to the Festival dates.
Are available to the public for purchase on DVD/Blu-ray or online.
Feature-length films (narrative or documentary) that have shown online prior to the Festival dates are NOT eligible. Short films (under 40 min) may be available online.
Films previously submitted to the Chicago International Film Festival are NOT eligible for consideration.
All entries must either be in English or subtitled in English. Dialogue lists are not accepted.
Entrant confirms and warrants required legal authority to submit the entry to the Festival and to use all music, images, and content in the entry.
Categories and fees
Fiction
Video length ：1 - 180
Films must have been completed on or AFTER August 1, 2025.
Films completed before August 1, 2025 are NOT eligible.
Feature Length Narratives (Student Fee)
Video length ：1 - 180
Films must have been completed on or AFTER August 1, 2025.
Films completed before August 1, 2025 are NOT eligible.
Feature Length Documentaries
Video length ：1 - 180
Feature-length films (narrative or documentary) that have shown online prior to the Festival dates are NOT eligible
Feature Length Narratives
Video length ：1 - 180
Films must have been completed on or AFTER August 1, 2025.
Films completed before August 1, 2025 are NOT eligible.
Feature Length Documentaries (Student Fee)
Video length ：1 - 180
To be eligible for the International Documentary Competition, films must be at least a U.S. premiere if selected for the Festival.
short films
Video length ：1 - 40
Short films of any genre under 40 minutes.
Short Films (Student Fee)
Video length ：1 - 40
Short films of any genre under 40 minutes made by a student filmmaker.
