Chicago Underground Film Festival Will Feature 100 Films
The five-day event kicks off at the Gene Siskel Film Center on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Foreign
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The Chicago Underground Film Festival returns for its annual showcase, presenting over 100 films from 22 countries. This five-day event features four world premieres and opens with the film Nova '78.
Why it matters
The festival provides a vital public theater setting for independent and adventurous cinema that rarely reaches the big screen. It highlights local filmmakers alongside international submissions to support diverse artistic expression.
The festival features 100 films representing 22 countries across five days of programming. The schedule includes four world premieres and concludes the final performance of Tony Fitzpatrick in the film Driven.
The players
Bryan Wendorf
He is a founder of the Chicago Underground Film Festival who helped establish the event in 1993.
Jay Bliznick
He is a founder of the Chicago Underground Film Festival who helped establish the event in 1993.
Tony Fitzpatrick
He is an artist and actor whose final performance appears in the film Driven.
Gene Siskel Film Center
This is the venue hosting the opening events of the festival.
The details
The festival screens experimental work that serves as a platform for both Chicago-based creators and international directors. Attendees can see the film Nova '78 at the Gene Siskel Film Center as the opening selection.
Timeline
The first festival took place in 1994.
The festival begins on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
The event concludes on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The festival continues a tradition established by the 1994 inaugural Chicago Underground Film Festival by prioritizing experimental media over mainstream commercial releases. This approach carves out a niche for independent creators in a landscape currently dominated by streaming conglomerates.
Local audiences can attend screenings starting September 23 at the Gene Siskel Film Center to experience works that typically lack wide theatrical distribution. Tickets provide direct access to four world premieres and a wide selection of international experimental projects.
The takeaway
This event demonstrates the enduring demand for non-traditional storytelling and experimental film formats. Attendees should check the full schedule to prioritize the four world premieres before the festival concludes on September 27.
Further reading
Discover more independent and international cinema trends at the Chicago Foreign section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Axios.
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