Filmmaker Resource Guide
The Chicago film scene,
all in one place.
A lot of people ask us how to break into the Chicago film scene. Our answer is almost always the same: get out there.
The film industry is built on the relationships you cultivate, and the best place to start is a screening, a mixer, or a set. Here's everything we usually send people.
-
Women in Film Chicago workshop at our shop -
Filmscape panels at CineCity -
XL Film panel
Where to start
What are you looking for?
New in town
I just moved to Chicago.
Go to everything for a few months. Start with a meetup or mixer, join a few of the Facebook groups, and check our calendar every week.
Crew
I want to work on sets.
Fill out our Crew Rolodex, say yes to PA days, and keep an eye on the crew calls in the Facebook groups. Once you're working steadily, look into the union locals.
Filmmakers
I'm making my own project.
Find collaborators through the local organizations, then look at the grants and fiscal sponsors. And come talk to us about gear. We'll help you figure out what you actually need.
Audiences
I want to see local work.
Chicago has a film festival almost every month. Pick a few, go to the shorts blocks, and stay for the Q&A. That's where you meet the filmmakers.
Students
I'm just getting started.
Take a class, try the 48 Hour Film Project, and submit to CineYouth if you're 22 or under. Teens can start with free programs like Fresh Films and YOUmedia.
Writers
I write.
The Chicago Screenwriters Network meets monthly, and Cinema Femme runs workshops for writers. Bring pages.
The list
Bookmark this one.
Meetups & mixers
- Black Film Club CollectiveBlack film screenings and talks around the city
- Chicago Screenwriters NetworkMonthly meetings for screenwriters
- Doc ChicagoDoc shorts showcase and a yearly mini-conference
- Filmmaker Friday ChicagoFree monthly hangouts and panels for local filmmakers
- Green Shirt Studio Flash Film LabQuick-turnaround short film lab for actors and filmmakers
- Picture LockedScreenings of local short films
- Screen Time90 minutes of Chicago-made shorts at the Davis Theater
News & listings
- CinefileWeekly listings of indie and repertory screenings
- Newcity FilmChicago film news, reviews, and festival coverage
- Reel ChicagoLocal industry news, and who's shooting what
- Screen MagazineChicago film and advertising trade news since 1979
Organizations & collectives
- AICP MidwestThe commercial production trade group
- Chicago Film ArchivesMidwest film archive with screenings and a yearly Media Mixer
- Chicago FilmmakersEdgewater nonprofit that runs Reeling and Onion City
- Chicago Media ProjectThe people behind Doc10
- Cinema FemmeWomen and gender-expansive filmmakers. They run a magazine and a shorts fest
- Filmscape ChicagoBig yearly production expo, right here at CineCity
- Free Spirit MediaMedia programs for young people, ages 11 to 25
- Full Spectrum FeaturesBehind Chicagoland Shorts and a producers lab
- Kartemquin FilmsChicago's documentary house since 1966
- Media Burn ArchiveHuge archive of independent video, with screenings
- Mezcla Media CollectiveWomen and non-binary filmmakers of color. Great crew database
- OTV | Open TelevisionIndie TV and web series made in Chicago, plus fellowships
- Sisters in CinemaMedia arts center on the South Side for Black women and gender-expansive filmmakers
- Women in Film ChicagoMonthly meetups for new members, plus workshops
Where to watch
- Block CinemaNorthwestern's cinema in Evanston
- Chicago Film Society35mm and 16mm screenings around town
- Claudia Cassidy TheaterFree screenings at the Chicago Cultural Center
- Davis TheaterLincoln Square. Local premieres, Doc10, and NoBudge nights
- Doc FilmsU of C student film society, open to everyone
- FACETS Film ForumLincoln Park arthouse since 1975. Check out Chicago on Screen, with local filmmakers and crews
- Films in the ParkFree outdoor Latino film screenings every summer
- Gene Siskel Film CenterDowntown cinema and home to Black Harvest and Doc10
- Logan Center for the ArtsUChicago's arts center in Woodlawn, with regular screenings
- Music Box TheatreLakeview movie palace with festivals all year
Festivals: winter & spring
- Chicago Irish Film FestivalLate February
- Chicago Jewish Film FestivalFebruary and March
- Chicago European Union Film FestivalMarch, at the Siskel
- Big Shoulders International Film FestivalMarch, run by DePaul
- Chicago Cinema WeekendNew citywide art-house weekend, starting March 2027
- Asian Pop-Up CinemaSpring
- One Earth Film FestivalSpring. Environmental films and a young filmmakers contest
- Chicago Latino Film FestivalApril
- Onion City Experimental Film + Video FestivalApril
- Chicago Palestine Film FestivalApril, at the Siskel
- Chicago Southland International Film FestivalApril, at Governors State
- Queer Expression Film FestivalApril
- Doc10April. Ten documentaries over one weekend
- CineYouth FestivalApril. For filmmakers 22 and under
- Chicago Critics Film FestivalMay, at the Music Box
- Asian American ShowcaseMay, at the Siskel
Festivals: summer & fall
- Little Fort Environmental Film FestivalJune, in Waukegan
- Midwest Film FestivalJuly. Five days of Midwest films and filmmakers
- Chicago 48 Hour Film ProjectSummer. Make a short in one weekend
- Big Teeth Small Shorts Film FestivalA few times a year, at FACETS
- Reeling LGBTQ+ International Film FestivalSeptember
- Chicago Underground Film FestivalSeptember
- Chicago South Asian Film FestivalSeptember
- Oak Park IL Film FestivalSeptember
- Chicago Horror Film FestivalOctober
- Oak Park Black Film FestivalOctober
- Cinema Femme Short Film FestivalFall, at the Music Box
- Chicago International Film FestivalOctober
- Black Harvest Film FestivalNovember, at the Siskel
- Chicago International REEL ShortsNovember
- Chicago Short Film FestivalDecember
- Chicago Alliance of Film FestivalsFACETS-run network of 40+ local festivals
Funding & legal help
- DCASE Individual Artists ProgramCity grants for Chicago artists
- Full Spectrum FeaturesFiscal sponsorship for indie projects
- Illinois Arts CouncilCreative Projects grants for Illinois artists
- Lawyers for the Creative ArtsLegal help and workshops for artists and arts groups
- Shifting Voices Film FundChicago Media Project and Mezcla fund
Facebook groups
- Chicago Film EventsBy Camera AmbassadorOur group. Post your screening or mixer here
- Canon Event CollectiveFemale-identifying filmmakers in Chicago
- Chicago Area FilmmakersIndie projects and collaborators
- Chicago CastingCasting calls for actors
- The Chicago Cinematic Arts CommunityFilmmakers and artists sharing work
- Chicago Film Crew Alumni & ProfessionalsWorking crew sharing jobs
- Chicago Film Students - Networking GroupStudents and recent grads
- Chicago Filmmaker NetworkLocal crew and project posts
- Chicago FilmmakersThe big one. Crew calls and gear posts
- CHICAGO Filmmakers GroupLots of indie projects looking for crew
- Chicago Freelancers NetworkFreelance crew and gigs
- Cinematographers of Columbia College ChicagoCamera folks from Columbia and beyond
- Filmmakers Of ChicagoCollaborators and casting for short films
- For Sale: Camera, Grip, and Electric - Chicago/MidwestBuy and sell gear locally
- Illinois Filmmakers NetworkStatewide crew and project posts
- REEL Women Drink ScotchWomen in film, social
- Screenwriters Networking GroupWriters sharing scripts and feedback
Jobs, crew & unions
- Chicago Film OfficeCity permits and film support
- Chicago Made TV + Film Career GuideThe city's guide to film and TV career paths
- IATSE Local 476Studio mechanics, the grip and electric union
- IATSE Local 600Cinematographers Guild
- Illinois Film OfficeState film office and tax credit
- Illinois Production GuideState directory of crew and vendors
- Our Chicago Production GuideOur list for out-of-town productions
- SAG-AFTRA ChicagoActors' union
- Teamsters Local 727Drivers and transportation
Learning
- Camera Ambassador workshopsGear workshops and talks at our shop. Watch the calendar
- CAN TV classesLow-cost classes, and members can use their cameras and studio
- Chicago Filmmakers classesProduction classes for adults and youth
- Filmscape WeekFree workshops and panels every June
- Free Spirit Media Creative PathwaysPaid program for ages 18 to 25
- Fresh FilmsFree weekly filmmaking program for ages 13 to 19
- Half RezYearly motion design conference
- Illinois Film Office PA TrainingState workforce program that trains new PAs
- Second City Film SchoolFull-time or nights-and-weekends film program, formerly Harold Ramis Film School
- YOUmedia at Chicago Public LibraryFree teen media labs at library branches
Know a group we missed?
Send it our way.
If you run a group, festival, or screening series in Chicago, email us and we'll add it.