Animation Festivals Directory

When we started this Festival 45 years ago, we had one simple goal: To introduce Chicago and the world to new filmmakers, new stories, and new points of view. This year, I’m proud to say that we are sticking to that mission more than ever by showing 40 films by first-time filmmakers. And 20 of our films come from female directors. It’s important to us that we are always learning, always seeing the world in a new way.

Coming out of a dark theater, everything seems brighter. Film illuminates the world. It opens our eyes. It shows us things we don’t see every day, makes us feel things we don’t always feel.

This isn’t your typical Saturday night out at the movies — these are once in a lifetime events, and you never know what is going to happen. So come out and be a part of it. See the films. See the people that make them. Meet and mingle with your fellow film fans. See the world in a whole new way.

All red carpets lead to Chicago, so come and join us.

Year established: 1964

Is this festival exclusively animation?: No - this is a film festival but with a specific animation category

Is there a marketplace at this festival?: No