Facility Rentals

A CONTEMPORARY VENUE IN DOWNTOWN CHICAGO

Located in the heart of Chicago's bustling theatre district, the Gene Siskel Film Center is the Loop's contemporary cinema venue. With two state-of-the-art auditoriums that can host 198 and 64 people, along with a gallery space overlooking State Street and the iconic Chicago Theatre marquee, the Gene Siskel Film Center provides a sophisticated yet comfortable setting for film presentations, corporate events, luncheons, community gatherings, and private receptions. View rentals overview PDF here.

To request availability for your event, please fill out our rental inquiry form.

INQUIRY FORM

Questions? Contact us at (312) 846-2600 or filmcenter@saic.edu.

 

Availability & Rates

Please note we are a movie theater open to the public seven days a week. Our theaters are available for rental only at times that do not conflict with our regular public programming and already posted screening times. Please fill out the form above and our staff will check our availability.

Events can usually be scheduled with a minimum of six weeks notice between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm Monday - Friday and between 9:00 am and 1:30 pm Saturday and Sunday. Rentals requested outside of these times are subject to limited availability and must be made a minimum of three months in advance to be considered.

We do offer discounted rates for not-for-profit rental rates for organizations with 501(c)3 status.

If you plan to show a film at the Gene Siskel Film Center, a separate licensing fee must be paid to the film distribution company, which can range from $150 to $500. This non-negotiable fee is set by, and paid directly to, the distribution company that licenses the film, and is in addition to the theatre rental fee. All licensing arrangements must be confirmed no less than 21 days prior to your event. The process of ordering, receiving and payment for films does not permit exceptions to this time frame.

Facilities
  • Theater 1 capacity: 193 seats, with 5 ADA accessible spots
  • Theater 2 capacity: 60 seats, with 4 ADA accessible spots
  • Theaters 1 & 2 capacity: 253 seats, with 9 ADA accessible spots
  • Gallery space available for receptions, small gatherings

For the safety of our guests, we do not allow standing room or sitting on the floors if an event exceeds the listed capacity.

Concessions and Catering

The Gene Siskel Film Center can provide wine, beer, water, soda, and other basic movie theater concessions. We do allow outside food or beverages to be brought onsite with prior approval, but it cannot be anything equivalent to items that the Film Center already provides. Clients may also use any licensed and insured caterer for their food needs.

View our concessions menu at siskelfilmcenter.org/concessions.

Download a list of recommended caterers (PDF)

Technical Capabilities
  THEATER 1 THEATER 2
CAPACITY 193 seats, with 5 ADA accessible spots 60 seats, with 4 ADA accessible spots
VIDEO
  • 4K DCP Projection
  • Digital File playback (contact us for recommended tech specs)
  • HDMI* connection in-theater (for laptop presentations / slideshows)
  • Blu-ray / DVD
  • 4K DCP Projection
  • Digital File playback (contact us for recommended tech specs)
  • HDMI* connection in-theater (for laptop presentations / slideshows)
  • Blu-ray / DVD
FILM
  • 35mm reel-to-reel system (additional fee)
  • 16mm (additional fee)
  • Unavailable at this time

MISC.

  • Four wireless microphones (available upon request)
  • Podium with wired microphone
  • Raised stage for panels and discussions
  • Four wireless microphones (available upon request)
  • Podium (available upon request)

*To ensure the highest quality presentation, Film Center does not recommend utilizing HDMI connection for projecting video files.

Parking and Transit

The Film Center is located in the heart of Chicago's theater district, across the street from the Chicago Theater and adjacent to ABC 7, at 164 North State Street (between Lake and Randolph), Chicago, IL 60601

Validated parking is only available at the InterPark Self-Park at 20 E. Randolph, which is across the street from Macy's (there's also an entrance on Wabash near the corner of Randolph). Parking is $20 for 16 hours with a validation sticker, which can be obtained from the box office before your screening. Note the box office closes after the final screening begins, so please visit prior to your screening time. There is also limited street parking after 6:00 PM on Lake Street and Wabash Avenue. The Film Center is not responsible for guest's parking fees.

You can find more information on how to get to the Film Center at siskelfilmcenter.org/directions

What our clients have to say...

The Gene Siskel Film Center is Chicago’s best resource for screening a feature film! Staff were quite competent and supportive. Our 25 guests were very impressed and enjoyed the experience! Also, several excellent hotels and restaurants within walking distance !

Leonard Brink | Executive Producer of PRECIOUS METTLE

I can't wait to do more events there. Seriously, one of my favorite venues in the country. And your staff — amazing, friendly, professional.

Wendy Levy | Executive Director, The Alliance for Media Arts + Culture

The Gene Siskel Film Center theater in which we screened CERTIFIABLY JONATHAN is excellent in every way. The digital projection is razor sharp and the surround sound system has great clarity and presence. The seats are comfortable and angled so that everyone has an unobstructed view of the screen. It is a tastefully decorated, welcoming theater space. The area outside the theaters was perfect for our 120-person reception. It has space for tables, a buffet, and a wet bar. The whole complex has a great vibe. It’s a new space, but you can feel a classic love of cinema in the atmosphere. I can’t wait to come back!

Jim Pasternak | Producer of CERTIFIABLY JONATHAN