The Chicago International Genre Film Festival (CIG), is an international genre film festival devoted to fantasy, science fiction and horror cinema from across the globe. The CIG takes place annually every Fall in the Chicago-metro area of Illinois. The festival brings together industry professionals in filmmaking and the genres of science fiction, fantasy and horror to encourage and support new, creative additions to the genre cinema arts.

This year due to COVID concerns, our film festival will be conducted online AND ON TELEVISION in the Chicago & Peoria IL markets via our partnership with VPOD TV - Chanel 59.3 (vpodtv.com)

To be considered for our television broadcast festival, the film must NOT be considered or rated any stronger than PG13. Films which contain mature content are still eligible BUT ONLY FOR the online portion of the festival.

Awards & Prizes

Awards are offered for the "Best Of" in each category.
Best of Features & Screenplays will receive "pitch" meetings with distributors & production companies as part of the award package.

Rules & Terms

The Chicago International Genre Film Festival ("Festival") is an awards-based competition calling for feature and short length films; feature and short animations and unproduced screenplays (feature length) related to the genres of horror, science fiction and fantasy.

Each entry must be accompanied by a completed entry form and applicable entry fees. Entries must be submitted in digital format. Foreign language work must be dubbed or subtitled in English.

All submissions are subject to reviews and rejection at any time.
All submissions are handled fairly and equally. We encourage you to submit as early as possible.
All entries will be reviewed by the selection committee. The Festival will make no cuts or changes.
All accepted entrants will be notified by email.
Selected submissions will also be posted on our website.
The Festival does not pay any fees for submitted work.
If your submission is selected for the festival, a physical screener copy will be required on DVD, Blu-ray, or digital drive.
Submissions will be viewed only after your entry fee is received and paid in full.
The Festival reserves the right to make any necessary changes in scheduling.
The number of screenings, days, and venues is at the sole discretion of the Festival.

All submissions must be labeled with the title of the entry, running time, the name of the writer/director, country of origin.

The Festival does not accept responsibility for damage or loss of materials.

The Festival does not insure individual prints. Make sure you have your own insurance.

We strongly encourage you to only send materials you do not wish to have returned. DO NOT send masters or originals as any materials sent will not be returned.

Rules are subject to change, in the sole discretion of the Festival, without notice.

If you have any questions, please contact us at CIGFilmFest@gmail.com
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