Set within the century-old Wilmette Theatre, the inaugural Chicagoland Comedy Fringe Film Festival is now accepting submissions, taking place on May 9, 2026.
At its core, this festival celebrates fresh, comedic storytelling. We are seeking short films, features, and experimental works that live on the fringe; projects that push boundaries, explore humor in unexpected ways, and most importantly, entertain.
The film festival is part of a larger, citywide Fringe Festival happening the same weekend. This multi-venue event will feature improv, stand-up, magic, sketch comedy, workshops, and more, with programming hosted across Chicago and Evanston. Participating venues include iconic theaters such as iO Theater, The Annoyance Theatre, and The Home Comedy Theater.
All proceeds from the Chicagoland Fringe Film Festival will be donated to the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), supporting their ongoing work in advocacy and community empowerment.
