The Chicago Irish Film Festival returns February 26 through March 1, 2026 for its 27th annual celebration of Irish storytelling, once again bringing a carefully curated slate of features, documentaries and shorts to Chicago audiences, both in theaters and online.
Founded in 1999, the nonprofit festival has become one of the longest running showcases of Irish cinema in the United States. Its mission remains focused and clear: to open a window onto the diversity, complexity and evolving voice of Irish filmmaking. Over nearly three decades, it has introduced Midwest audiences to films that might not otherwise find a theatrical platform here.
In Theaters and Online
This year’s in-person screenings run February 26 through March 1, anchored at AMC Newcity and other partner venues. The festival’s online platform extends access through March 8, allowing viewers across Illinois and select neighboring states to stream a wide portion of the lineup from home.
The hybrid format has become a signature strength for the festival, expanding its geographic reach while preserving the communal experience of theatrical screenings, filmmaker conversations and opening night gatherings.
2026 Lineup Highlights
Opening night features Báite, a mystery-tinged drama set in a small lakeside Irish community where the arrival of a Dublin detective stirs long-buried tensions. The film sets the tone for a program that leans into identity, history and contemporary Irish life.
Closing the festival is Saipan, one of the most anticipated selections in this year’s slate.
Additional highlights include U.S. premieres such as Girls & Boys and Samanta Nobody, alongside documentaries including Gerry Adams – A Ballymurphy Man and Sanatorium. Short film blocks continue to be a strong draw, offering emerging Irish filmmakers a Chicago audience and reinforcing the festival’s commitment to discovery.
Online viewers will also find exclusive digital selections that expand the overall program beyond what is screened theatrically.
A Cultural Bridge in Chicago
For Chicago’s vibrant Irish community and its broader film audience, the festival remains an important cultural touchstone. It offers an annual opportunity to experience contemporary Irish storytelling while reinforcing Chicago’s longstanding ties to Ireland.
For the local film community, it is also a reminder of the importance of curated international cinema, films selected not by algorithm, but by passionate programmers with a clear point of view.
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