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.
To request availability for your event, please fill out our rental inquiry form:
- Availability
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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 public programming. Please fill out the form above and our staff will check our availability and capacity to host your event. Rental requests are reviewed on Mondays; a member of our team will reply once we have reviewed your request.
Generally, events may be scheduled with a minimum of four weeks notice from the date of your rental form submission, with events taking place between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm Monday - Friday, for a minimum block of three hours. 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.
Blackout dates apply, such as during festivals and other special programming.
- Rates & Payment
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Our theaters are booked by the hour for minimum three-hour windows of time, with events starting no earlier than 9:00 am. Rentals beginning after 5:00 pm typically require at least two months of notice. While rates vary according to date and time, average rental rates are as follows:
- Theater 1: $2,600 (additional hour: $825)
- Theater 2: $2,100 (additional hour: $650)
- Lobby (with theater rental): $300/hr
- Lobby (without theater rental): $500/hr
- Additional audio support for lobby: $150/hr
Additional fees will be assessed for staffing concessions during off-hours, inspection of celluloid prints, and for late delivery or late changes to on-screen presentation materials.
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 and above. 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 business days prior to your event, and materials received by 10 business days prior to your event. The process of ordering, receiving, testing and payment for films does not permit exceptions to this time frame.
Please note that a 50% deposit will be required upon signing the rental contract, with payment due in full by the time of your event. We accept payment by check and ACH.
- Facilities
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- 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
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The Gene Siskel Film Center serves 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 Siskel Film Center already provides. Outside alcohol is not permitted.
While clients may also use any licensed and insured caterer for their food needs, the preferred caterer for events with the School of the Art Institute of Chicago is HandCut Foods. Clients may reach out to Catering Manager Michelle Chamberlain at michelle.chamberlain@compass-usa.com for menus and pricing. If an outside caterer is used, a copy of the caterer’s valid City of Chicago catering license will be required.
- Technical Capabilities
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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, the Gene Siskel Film Center does not recommend utilizing HDMI connection for projecting video files.
- Parking and Transit
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The Gene Siskel 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 Siskel 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.
Questions? Contact us at (312) 846-2600 or filmcenter@saic.edu.