The Chicago Film Critics Association has announced the full lineup, schedule and expected guests for the 12th annual Chicago Critics Film Festival, returning May 1 to 7 at the Music Box Theatre, with a slate that includes Illinois-shot feature Chili Finger.
Directed by Edd Benda and Stephen Helstad, Chili Finger was filmed in the central Illinois town of Monticello and will screen at the festival with the filmmakers expected to attend, offering a local production connection within this year’s program.
The weeklong festival will feature more than 20 new feature films and two shorts programs, along with filmmaker Q&As and a series of anniversary screenings, continuing its role as an early showcase for films ahead of wider release.
Opening night will feature The Invite, with director and star Olivia Wilde scheduled to appear. The festival closes with Joe Swanberg’s The Sun Never Sets, with Swanberg and actor Cory Michael Smith expected in attendance.
Additional selections include Chicago premieres of John Carney’s Power Ballad, starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas, along with Maddie’s Secret, Leviticus and Time and Water.
Anniversary screenings include David Cronenberg’s The Fly and Jonathan Demme’s Something Wild, both marking their 40th anniversaries, and Steven Spielberg’s A.I. Artificial Intelligence celebrating its 25th. All three will be presented on 35mm.
Filmmakers expected for post-screening discussions include Dawn Porter with her documentary When a Witness Recants, as well as Zach Schnitzer, who will appear alongside producer Nate Simon for Loafers. Additional guests, including filmmakers from the festival’s shorts programs, are expected to be announced.
Rotten Tomatoes returns as the official sponsor of the Audience Award and will again co-present the CFCA and Rotten Tomatoes Emerging Critics Grant. This year’s recipients are Zo Arroyo and Savannah Ray Hugueley, who will each receive a $2,500 grant, an all-access festival pass, mentorship opportunities with CFCA members and the opportunity to pitch story ideas to Rotten Tomatoes’ editorial team. Learn more about this year’s selected honorees here. Ashley Hatzenbihler and Felipe Rocha were also recognized for their potential as film journalists.
Explore the entire schedule and secure tickets/passes in advance at chicagocriticsfilmfestival.com.
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