*LIVE IN-PERSON FESTIVAL SCREENINGS IN CHICAGO MARCH 28TH - 30TH, 2025 IN BEAUTIFUL LINCOLN PARK CHICAGO*

Get ready for a whirlwind of cinema at the first-ever Chicago Film Frenzy! From March 28th-30th at FACETS (1517 W. Fullerton in Chicago), the Windy City film scene will be buzzing with excitement as filmmakers, movie lovers, and creative minds come together to celebrate a vibrant mix of films.

Chicago FiIm Frenzy is all about energy, diversity, and the power of film to ignite conversation and inspiration. Our lineup will feature a dynamic range of films, from gripping narratives and groundbreaking documentaries to daring experimental shorts and everything in between. Each selection has been chosen for its ability to captivate, challenge, and/or entertain audiences, offering fresh perspectives. 

Beyond film screenings, the festival will include lively panel discussions, filmmaker Q&A's, intriguing workshops, special networking parties, and a 48 hour Film Frenzy competition!

Minutes away from the Chicago Lakefront and the Chicago Loop, the Chicago Film Frenzy brings filmmakers and film lovers to the heart of Chicago. Join us in celebrating the inaugural year of the Chicago Film Frenzy!

All films that are officially selected will receive audience feedback either in the form of video or written.

This festival is presented through special arrangement with Surging Films, FACETS, and Chicago Screens.

Awards & Prizes

Best of Fest - Narrative Feature
Best of Fest - Documentary Feature
Best of Fest - Narrative Mid Length
Best of Fest - Documentary Mid Length
Best of Fest - Narrative Short
Best of Fest - Documentary Short
Best of Fest - Student Film
Best of Fest - TV Pilot/Web Series

Individual Awards
Best Director
Best Cinematography
Best Performer(s)
Best Editor
Best Script
Best Chicago Film *film must have been made in Chicago*
Best Original Score
Best VFX

Achievement awards in specific genres and Audience Awards will be voted on during the weekend by festival attendees and presented at the Awards Ceremony.

Other prizes (from our vendors) will be announced as we get closer to the festival date.

Rules & Terms

OFFICIAL REGULATIONS

A.) Eligibility Requirements

Completion Date
- Films must have been completed on or AFTER Sep 1, 2022
- Films completed before August 31st, 2022 are NOT eligible.

Films are NOT eligible if they:
- Have had a theatrical run in the US prior to the Festival dates.
- Have aired on US television prior to the Festival dates.
- Feature-length films (narrative or documentary) that are available for public online viewing in their entirety are NOT eligible. Short films (under 40 min) may be available online.

All entries must either be in English or subtitled in English.

Entrant confirms and warrants required legal authority to submit the entry to the Festival and to use all music, images, and content in the entry.

For any specific questions regarding a film’s eligibility, please email: chicagofilmfrenzy@gmail.com

B) Submission Guidelines
1. Films must be submitted via filmfreeway.

2. Entrants are permitted to submit works-in-progress (i.e., without final color correction or sound mixing), but please note that the programming committee will only consider the version submitted. Subsequent cuts or replacement copies can be considered after selection.

3. We can accept file formats in .mov, .mp4 for playing off of a computer as well as DCP format. We do not require DCP format.