The 38th edition of Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival will be held as an online virtual event.
Festival Dates: September 24 – October 4, 2020
Chicago Filmmakers, the presenting organization of Reeling, made the decision to go virtual amid the uncertainty surrounding the reopening of cinemas and an increase in cases of COVID-19 in Chicago.
“Many festivals are playing it safe this fall by hosting their events online. We felt that it was the right thing to do to keep our community safe,” Festival Director Brenda Webb says about the decision to go virtual.
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Webb said that the onset of the pandemic and subsequent shutdown has impacted their ability to hold screenings in person at the Chicago Filmmakers’ Firehouse. “But it hasn’t impacted our ability to come together as a community around the love of cinema. We’re excited that this new format presents the opportunity for more filmmakers from around the world to participate in festival Q&As and panels.”
Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival was founded in 1982, and is the second longest-running film festival of its kind. It prides itself on showcasing the best LGBTQ+ films and videos each year. From award-winning international feature films to social documentaries to experimental shorts, Reeling has always presented a range of genres that demonstrate the rich diversity of work being produced.
Not only has Reeling become one of the most important cultural events for Chicagoans, it also attracts LGBTQ+ people from throughout the Midwest who consider the festival to be the highlight of their cinematic year.
Festival attendees may purchase tickets and watch selected films at ReelingFilmFestival.org.
The full festival lineup will be announced in August.
