International Film Festival in Chicago
Esteemed international film festival in the United States presenting narrative features, documentaries, and short films. Academy Awards qualification applies to designated short film and documentary short awards under 40 minutes.
Premiere Requirements:
Regional Premiere
- Eligible categories: feature-length narrative films (over 40 minutes), feature-length documentaries (over 40 minutes), and short films (under 40 minutes).
- Films must be completed after August 1, and must have premiered or be scheduled to premiere after October 27.
- Minimum requirement: Chicago premiere; US premieres receive priority.
Private screenings not open to the public (e.g., for crew or investors) do not affect eligibility. - Ineligible: films with prior public theatrical screenings in the Chicago area; prior US theatrical runs; prior US television broadcasts; prior online screenings in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, or Wisconsin; availability for public purchase on DVD/Blu-ray or full online viewing (short films under 40 minutes exempt from online viewing restriction); previous submissions to this festival.
- All entries must be in English or subtitled in English; dialogue lists not accepted.
- Entrants warrant legal authority to submit and use all music, images, and content
- Submissions accepted as online screeners (downloadable preferred) or DVD/Blu-ray
- works-in-progress eligible but programming considers submitted version only, with replacements at committee request.
- Selected films screen on DCP unless otherwise arranged.