CHICAGO – The Windy City’s greatest annual cinema celebration is upon us, and the 55th Chicago International Film Festival is about to crank up the projection machines for 11 days of amazing cinema treats, from October 16th through the 27th, 2019. How does a film buff or curious participant navigate the waters of the festival? HollywoodChicago.com is here to guide you.
Let the Film Guide Be Your Guide
The first time festival goer or veteran will certainly come across, in paper or digital, the film guide that is essential for keeping tabs on the 55th fest. All of the over 120 movies, from over 50 countries, can be found in the guide, both in categories and alphabetical order. Pick up the guide at the AMC River East Theatre, in many kiosks around Chicago or tap into the digital format (click here [25]) and experience the cinema world.
Watch for the Stars
During the Festival period, Chicago becomes the destination of the cinema world, and the stars, filmmakers and influencers of the movies descend onto the scene. There will be special tributes to actor Gael García Bernal; Red-Carpet tributes to director Rian Johnson (“Star Wars: The Last Jedi”) and his new film “Knives Out”; an appearance by the legendary musician Buddy Guy for his documentary profile “The Torch” and to-be-announced Red Carpet walks from stars and directors throughout the fest.
Themes, Spotlights and Perspectives
If you have specific interests, the Film Festival can fulfill them. Take a deep breath, and indulge in International, New Directors and the Documentary Competitions. Take in the Gala Presentations (highly anticipated Fall 2019 films) U.S. Indies, World Cinema and the extremely popular “After Dark” series. Get illuminated by the “Spotlight” category, honoring “Architecture X Design.” Engage in the Festival’s panorama on local “City & State” films, Black Perspectives, the LGBTQ+ Outlook Competition, 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. [26]
Industry Days
This recent addition to Festival events has proven to be one of its most popular. Industry Days is a hub for filmmakers and industry professional to connect, share ideas and find inspiration. From October 17th through the 20th, the “Days” highlight current and future trends in the art/industry of movie making. Panels are open to the general public and to Industry Days badge holders (see information on the website link below). If you’re interested in the business of show business, Industry Days can be vital participation. For more details, click here. [27]
Virtual Reality Immersive Cinema
For the second year, the Chicago International Film Festival will present Virtual Reality Immersive Cinema, where participants become part of the film. With special eyepieces and interactive digital content, the Festival is providing an opportunity for audiences to experience VR Immersive. For more details, click here. [28]
Come Together at the Movies
Do you really want to navigate the Festival? Get a bunch of your film fellow travelers and see the films, and discuss them afterwards. If your family has immigrant roots in another country – which is virtually every American – then see a reflection of life in that country today by taking in the international selections. Want to talk to filmmakers or participate in Q&As? The AMC River East will be packed with programs and similarly interested participants. It’s time for the 55th Chicago International Film Festival, it’s time to come together for the movies.
 [30] | By PATRICK McDONALD [31] |
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[2] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/2019
[3] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/55th
[4] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/after-dark
[5] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/architecture-x-design
[6] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/black-perspectives
[7] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/labels/chicago_international_film_festival.html
[8] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/cinemas-of-the-americas
[9] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/city-state
[10] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/comedy
[11] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/documentary
[12] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/film-news
[13] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/gael-garcia-bernal
[14] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/hollywoodchicagodotcom-content
[15] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/industry-days
[16] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/lgbtq-0
[17] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/new-directors
[18] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/outlook
[19] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/patrick-mcdonald
[20] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/rian-johnson
[21] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/short-films
[22] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/spotlight
[23] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/us-indies
[24] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/women-in-cinema
[25] https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/festival/all-films-list/
[26] https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/festival/programs/
[27] https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/festival/industry-days/
[28] https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/festival-category/immersive-cinema/
[29] http://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/
[30] mailto:pat@hollywoodchicago.com
[31] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/about#PAT