OUR FESTIVALS

From the Film Center’s earliest days, mounting dedicated festivals within our ever-evolving slate of international and indie programming emerged as an exciting way to invite audiences to a fresh awareness that film culture is our culture and our legacy, here and now. Check out our signature festivals as well as the festivals we present in collaboration with cultural partners.


BLACK HARVEST FILM FESTIVAL 

Since 1994, the Black Harvest Film Festival has been Chicago’s annual showcase for films that celebrate, explore, and share the Black, African American and African Diaspora experience. With the passing of celebrated film critic and Black Harvest Film Festival co-founder and consultant Sergio Mims last fall, the Gene Siskel Film Center has announced the establishment of the Sergio Mims Fund for Black Excellence in Filmmaking, to honor his legacy of giving a voice and platform to the next generation of Black filmmakers. 


CHICAGO EUROPEAN UNION FILM FESTIVAL (CEUFF) March 1-10, 2024

Held each spring since 1998, the Gene Siskel Film Center’s annual Chicago European Union Film Festival is a celebration of emerging voices and acclaimed filmmakers that hail from European Union countries. A broad exploration of the best of European cinema, the Chicago European Union Film Festival annually boasts Chicago premieres and feature film debuts, among the over two-dozen titles in this month-long showcase.

In March, 2023, the 26th Annual Chicago European Film Festival showcased 24 films from 23 EU nations, including 11 films directed or co-directed by women, six films from CEUFF alumni, and Academy Award submissions from eight countries, including Oscar nominee THE QUIET GIRL (Ireland). Performances included: Willem Dafoe (INSIDE), Penélope Cruz (L'IMMENSITA), Virginie Efira ( OTHER PEOPLE'S CHILDREN), and Lena Olin (HILMA), who appeared in person with her daughter, actress Tora Hallström, at our Opening Night celebration.


ASIAN AMERICAN SHOWCASE

The Asian American Showcase is a yearly collaboration with the Foundation for Asian American Independent Media and provides a platform for new work by established and emerging Asian American filmmakers. 


FESTIVAL OF FILMS FROM IRAN February 1-8, 2024

The Gene Siskel Film Center’s Festival of Films from Iran was founded in 1989 and continues as a yearly showcase that spotlights the innovation, resilience, and humanism of contemporary Iranian filmmakers and acclaimed Iranian auteurs. The Festival of Films from Iran serves as a window to Iran and its political, social and cultural world, forming and challenging audiences' perceptions of Iran, while also building a richer understanding of the country and its cinema. The festival would not be possible without the support and guidance of Mehrnaz Saeed-Vafa, Professor of Cinema and Television Arts at Columbia College Chicago and Festival of Films From Iran Artistic Consultant, and our enthusiastic audience. 


OUR FESTIVAL PARTNERS

The Gene Siskel Film Center is proud to host these festival partners each year. Please visit their individual website to learn more about key dates and programming:

MIDWEST FILM FEST

CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

DOC10

CHICAGO PALESTINE FILM FESTIVAL