Chicago Area Film Festivals... and How to Get Free Admission to Some of Them... Just By Getting Involved and Helping Out

Chicago Film Festivals

Annual Festival of Films from Iran sponsored by Gene Siskal Film Center Annually in October

Chicago Asian American Showcase Held at the Gene Siskal Film Center Annually in early April.

Chicago International Children's Film Festival "...the first competitive festival of films for children in the U.S. The impetus for the Festival came from a need to introduce new, culturally diverse films for children to American children's audiences, and to recognize excellence in children's filmmaking. In addition, we sought to empower children by involving them directly in the jurying process. From its inception, the Festival has had independent juries of children and adult media professionals awarding prizes in multiple categories...." Annually, end of October

Chicago International Film Festival

Chicago Irish Film Festival "...has consistently brought a truly representative selection of Irish films that embrace everything from classics to the contemporary. Each year since its inception the festival has screened features, documentaries, shorts and animation many of which have won awards and have had selected screenings at some of the largest festivals in the world including Cannes, Sundance, and Toronto. The festival has also been delighted to welcome as its guest the actors, directors, and producers that are the heart of today's Irish cinema...." Early March.

Chicago Lesbian and Gay International Film Festival "Reeling at Gay Games" Early November

Chicago Underground Film Festival "...exists to showcase the defiantly independent filmmaker. Our mission is to promote films and videos that dissent radically in form, technique, or content from the "indie" mainstream and to present adventurous works that challenge and transcend commercial and audience expectations...if you suspect your film is "underground," it probably is." Annually in August

Festival of Cinema for the Deaf

Future Filmmakers Festival "... celebrates the work of film and video makers from across the United States under the age of 20. The 2006 Festival is a jam packed three day event that will be held this year on June 16th, 17th and 18th, 2006. Filmmakers accepted into the festival will be invited to attend the festival in Chicago, IL and watch their film with an audience as well as attend exciting workshops, meet in-the-know film professionals, and hang out and with other young filmmakers from all over the country...."

Women in the Director's Chair is lamentably shutting down after 25 years due to insurmountable financial problems.

Breaking Through the Celluloid Ceiling

WITASWAN ".... is an informal alliance of women who have pledged themselves to helping women filmmakers break through the Celluloid Ceiling that restricts opportunities for women in Hollywood & beyond. WITASWAN members have all made a commitment to see at least one film every month either directed by &/or written by a woman, either in a theater or on DVD/VHS..."

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How to Get Free Admission to Chicago Area Film Festivals by Getting Involved

Chicago International Children's Film Festival is looking for people who want to get involved.

Chicago International Film Festival "We are always looking for capable volunteers to assist us in managing our events. Volunteers are needed to help direct hundreds of students off and on buses before and after screenings."

Chicago Lesbian and Gay International Film Festival "Reeling at Gay Games" is seeking volunteers

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Chicago Festivals and How To Get Free Admission to Some

Chicago Film Festivals and How to Get Free Admission to Some.

Chicago Internships

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Chicago Area Free Wine Tasting

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