The Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) will hold its 61st festival during the week of October 15th to October 22nd, so we have yet to see this year’s newest contenders. The festival has earned its reputation by focusing on showcasing films vying for the Best International Feature Oscar. The festival is most known as North America’s longest‑running competitive international film festival and features multiple different categories, including a competitive International Feature section in which several works will be making their North American or U.S. premieres, and will award its distinguished Gold Hugo to a standout among them.

In the past decades, Chicago has had a strong track record of showcasing films that go on to receive Oscar nominations. Notable films include The Seed of the Sacred Fig (2024) and The Worst Person in the World (2021); both were featured in CIFF’s lineups before being nominated for Best International Feature. This trend reinforces the festival’s importance not only as a celebratory event but also as a forerunner for industry recognition.

The 2024 award season already demonstrated this dynamic: “16 films that initially screened at that festival later earned 49 Oscar nominations across various categories.” Of those 16 films, The Brutalist, Emilia Pérez, and I’m Still Here stood out for bridging the space between festival recognition and Oscar buzz. Emilia Pérez, in particular, “set a new precedent as a non‑English language film with 13 nominations, including for Best Picture, winning two Academy Awards.” I’m Still Here also secured a Best International Feature nomination.

By curating a lineup that mixes a plethora of films, including high‑profile films along with new voices, the Chicago International Film Festival continues to promote its goal: “Our guiding vision is to create connection and empower community through transformative cinematic storytelling.” With its timing and prominence, the festival offers a strategic stage for a variety of films to gain exposure ahead of award season.

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