Windy City International Film Festival

Chicago, IL, United States, North America

15 - 18 Jul, 2021

Category

Short, Feature

Windy City International Film Festival logo
Windy City International Film Festival

Chicago, IL, United States, North America

Is this your festival?

Is this your festival?

About the festival

Our mission is to bring the best indie films from around the globe to our vibrant city of Chicago!

Our summer-time fest puts the emphasis on the filmmaker with plenty of networking events, after-parties, and a mimosa-filled awards brunch, which is quick and painless :D !

We also host a live staged reading, cast with Chicago actors, for our Top 10 Screenplay Finalists!

We are dedicated to diversity and inclusion of all voices.

Best of Fest ($200 cash prize)
Best Feature Film ($100 cash prize)
Best Episodic ($100 cash prize)
Best Chicago Film ($100 cash prize)

Best Short Film (In each category)
Best Teaser Trailer
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Director
Best Feature Screenplay
Best Short Screenplay

About

Our mission is to bring the best indie films from around the globe to our vibrant city of Chicago!

Our summer-time fest puts the emphasis on the filmmaker with plenty of networking events, after-parties, and a mimosa-filled awards brunch, which is quick and painless :D !

We also host a live staged reading, cast with Chicago actors, for our Top 10 Screenplay Finalists!

We are dedicated to diversity and inclusion of all voices.

Best of Fest ($200 cash prize)
Best Feature Film ($100 cash prize)
Best Episodic ($100 cash prize)
Best Chicago Film ($100 cash prize)

Best Short Film (In each category)
Best Teaser Trailer
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Director
Best Feature Screenplay
Best Short Screenplay

Awards & Winners

There are no winners yet for this festival

Terms and rules

OFFICIAL RULES

International and U.S. films accepted across all categories & genres. Submitter only needs to submit to ONE genre, but will be considered in all appropriate award categories.

Screener films should be submitted on digital file (Mov, Mp4).

Short films-under 40 minutes
Feature films-over 40 minutes

Films in language other than English must include English subtitles.

We do not accept previously submitted works.

In the event that award winners are not present at the awards ceremony, cash prizes will be mailed. However, award winners must be present to receive trophies.

Ratings & Reviews

Categories and fees

Feature Film
Early Bird (1st October, 2019) $25
Late (5th March, 2021) $45

Any genre of film with a run-time of 40 minutes or more. (Foreign or USA made).

Episodic Content
Early Bird (1st October, 2019) $20
Late (5th March, 2021) $40

Do you have the next binge-worthy series? If your content is meant to be viewed in episodic format (T.V. Web Series, etc.) it belongs here! Max length 45min.

Chicago Short
Early Bird (1st October, 2019) $15
Late (5th March, 2021) $35

For short films made in or around Chicago-land!

Animated Short
Early Bird (1st October, 2019) $15
Late (5th March, 2021) $35

We <3 animated films!

Comedy Short
Early Bird (1st October, 2019) $15
Late (5th March, 2021) $35

Bahahah! hehehe! Lol!

Drama Short
Early Bird (1st October, 2019) $15
Late (5th March, 2021) $35

Family drama, momma drama, llama drama, or any kind of drama.

Documentary Short
Early Bird (1st October, 2019) $15
Late (5th March, 2021) $35

For the documenters.

Horror or WTF Short
Early Bird (1st October, 2019) $15
Late (5th March, 2021) $35

We want your dark, weird, and twisted shorts! Make us ask, WTF!?

Sci-Fi/Fantasy Short
Early Bird (1st October, 2019) $15
Late (5th March, 2021) $35

Sci-Fi and Fantasy films are our jam!

Foreign Short (any genre)
Early Bird (1st October, 2019) $15
Late (5th March, 2021) $35

Any genre, originating outside of the United States.

Teaser Trailers
Early Bird (1st October, 2019) $5
Late (5th March, 2021) $6

Tease us with a peek at your upcoming project. These can be concept trailers or trailers for work in progress/post production.

Screenplay Short (between 1 and 15 pages)
Early Bird (1st October, 2019) $15
Late (5th March, 2021) $35

Screenplay Short (between 16 and 39 pages in length)
Early Bird (1st October, 2019) $20
Late (5th March, 2021) $40

Screenplay Feature or Episodic (between 40 and 120 pages in length)
Early Bird (1st October, 2019) $25
Late (5th March, 2021) $45

Matchmaking

What is the title of your film?

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Choose a film to find matches for

Choose one of your film that you're already created, or create a new one to find matches for.

How long is your film?

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min.

What type of category does your film fall into?

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What is the genre of your film?

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What should be the main focus of your festival strategy?

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Monetary award

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Festival qualifications that you're interested in

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How much money would you spend on festival submissions?

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EUR

Start date of submission

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