A Guide to Chicago Film Festivals 2011

If you're an indie and foreign movie fan, enjoy screenings throughout the year. Film festivals in Chicago bring all genres from local, national, and international filmmakers to the Windy City. Some festivals offer a wide variety, while others may be niché-specific.

Here's a listing of Chicago's currently scheduled film fests with descriptions, dates, and links to festival pages.

Note: Specific dates have not been announced yet for many festivals.  Information will be updated as it is announced.

The Music Box is hosting a special screening of "The Music Never Stopped" on Thursday, January 27.  A special guest from the film will be in attendance, but is still to be announced. 

"The Music Never Stopped" premieres at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah the same week.

The Gene Siskel Film Center presents Stranger than Fiction: Documentary Premieres from January 7 through February 3. 

What I'll be going to see? 

"Marwencol" 

 On April 15, the Music Box hosts the Found Footage Festival.

Preview date for the Peace on Earth Festival is January 18, at DePaul University.

The Peace on Earth Film Fest runs February 25--27 at the Chicago Cultural Center.

 The European Union Film Fest screens at the Gene Siskel Film Center in March.

 The Beverly Arts Center hosts the Chicago Irish Film Fest from March 4 through March 9.

The Chicago Underground Film Festival (CUFF) is scheduled for June of 2011 at the Gene Siskel Film Center.

 The 2011 CineKink Film Fest is currently accepting entries.

The Chicago Date is TBA, but the New York date for the festival is set for March 1--6.  Mature audiences only.

Find details on the CineKink Website.

The Flickerings Film Showcase will take place in June.  Dates TBA. 

Flickerings highlights short animated films, documentaries, and fiction up to 20 minutes as well as feature length films.

Flickerings seeks to provide films that display the honesty and truth in life. 

Check out the Englewood Film Festival's Facebook Page for details on the fest.

 In April, the Asian-American Showcase will be held at the Gene Siskel Film Center.

Facets hosts the Chicago International Children's Film Fest.

In 2010, The Polish Film Festival took place in November.  The 2011 dates are still TBD.

 The date for the 2011Chicago Horror Film Festival is TBA.

The fest started as a one day event highlighting short horror films.  Now it includes both short and feature length films, some of which have been picked up for distribution.

For more information and details, visit the Chicago Horror Festival Website.

 The Italian Film Fest will take place in April and May.  Films will be screened at various locations for the fest. 

 June

It's a little bit out of the city (in Champaign, Illinois), but the Ebertfest for 2011 dates are April 27 through May 1.

In March, the guest speakers for the festival will be announced.

If you're looking to attend Ebertfest, keep in mind the Illinois Marathon is the same weekend... better get on the hotel hunt now so you don't miss out.

The Chicago International Documentary Film Fest is not taking place due to city and funding issues until further notice.