Chicago Underground Film Festival Guide
The Chicago Underground Film Festival represents the longest running underground film festival in the world. And has received international recognition. Founded in 1993, and continuing with annual festivals in the Avant-Garde and cult-cinema experiences. Not even a pandemic could stop the Chicago Underground Film Festival from holding its annual event! Even if 2020 did go virtual. If you’re considering attending the Chicago Underground Film Festival, or you’re a filmmaker that is thinking of entering your work to the festival. Here’s what you need to know before you go.
About the Chicago Underground Film Festival
The Chicago Underground Film Festival was founded in 1993 and has since been fully dedicated to the work of independent filmmakers with unique, fully-independent visions of cinema.
Offering a user-friendly, fully-accessible showcase for independent, underground cinema. The Chicago Underground Film Festival fosters new approaches to filmmaking and established practices. With a goal of presenting a fun, and friendly event that is accessible to all.
Chicago Underground Film Festival (CUFF) presents a wide range of works from independent filmmakers and artists that have different definitions and interpretations of the concept of “underground’ cinema.
Featuring everything from alternative music films and political content to experimental films and a variety of diverse programming, CUFF literally has something for everyone.
When & Where is the Chicago Underground Film Festival
For more than 25 years, the Chicago Underground Film Festival has attracted film enthusiasts and filmmakers to the city to engage in screenings, live Q&A sessions and a variety of fun events for cinema-minded adults.
Hosted at Chicago’s Logan Theatre for several years, CUFF has largely attracted performances of all different styles, genres, and lengths.
2020 would change the programming a bit, with Chicago’s Underground Film Festival going virtual and hosting a drive-in opportunity for screenings at the ChiTown Drive In which was located at 7000 S. Harlem Ave in Bridgeview, Illinois.
Typically, the Chicago Underground Film Festival takes place at:
The Logan Theatre
2646 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647
Submissions to the Chicago Underground Film Festival
Those interested in submitting their films for screening at the Chicago Underground Film Festival should visit Film Freeway for details. Entry fees vary annually and are accepted in U.S. funds.
Filmmakers that have screened at the Chicago Underground Film Festival are not required to pay entry fees. Additionally, filmmakers who work in an area of the world that would not require an entry fee or from where submitting a film would be prohibited, waiver of fees are available.
CUFF accepts entries in many different categories. Keep in mind that for the purpose of the Chicago Underground Film Festival, a feature is 40 minutes or longer and anything less is a short.
Also, Experimental refers only to non-narrative, non-documentary works. For the purpose of this particular film festival. Those with questions should contact the Chicago Underground Film Festival via email at [email protected]
