Film Feature: Guide to the 56th Chicago International Film Festival, Oct. 14-25, 2020

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CHICAGO – It’s one week to go until the Opening Night of the 56th Chicago International Film Festival, as this year’s fest goes virtual and online. But also as a “hybrid,” the fest mixes in special events, eight drive-in screenings and opportunities/programming in a wide range of special offerings. Although the structure of the Festival may be different, the scope of their film selection for cinema fans is still in place.

Changes to the Festival Experience.

The 56th Chicago International Film Festival
Photo credit: Chicago International Film Festival

The 56th Chicago International Film Festival will, like many cinema events in 2020, have films available through streaming on demand, virtual and online. There will also be appointment screenings (designated times to tune in) and most expansively eight drive-in movie events. There is an handy online guide with a “How to Festival” guide, instructions for ticket or event purchase, streaming guidelines and information on the drive-in screenings. Click here.

Festival Programs, Spotlights and Perspectives

The Drive-In at the 56th Chicago International Film Festival
Photo credit: Chicago International Film Festival

The specific festival programs go on, as well as International, New Directors, Out-Look (LGBTQ+) and the Documentary Competitions. Take in the Special Presentations (highly anticipated 2020 films) U.S. Indies, World Cinema and the extremely popular “After Dark” series. Engage in the Festival’s panorama on local “City & State” films, Women in Cinema, Black Perspectives, the Cinemas of the Americas and the Short film programs, which encompass all of those subject categories in a more compact running time. Click here.

Virtual & Online Industry Days

Industry Days
Photo credit: Chicago International Film Festival

This year’s Industry Days will offer all of its events virtually to a global audience, including master classes with top filmmakers, topical workshops on distribution, production, and financing, and networking events, in addition to a competitive Pitch session and intimate Decision-Maker Roundtable meetings, from October 14th-18th. For more details, click here.

Film Can Take You There

Film Can Take You There
Photo credit: Chicago International Film Festival

In this pandemic year, we need our cinematic diversions more than ever. The 56th Chicago International Film Festival is bringing together a community online to deliver the films, events, Industry Days and more surprises. The delivery of those films and events may be different, but the anticipation is the same. Film can take you there, and the 56th Chicago International Film Festival will be your guide.

By PATRICK McDONALD Editor and Film Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com