Chicago Indie Film Awards is a monthly and annual festival which celebrates Independent U.S. and international films of all genres.

The festival is an IMDb qualifying international platform dedicated to supporting and recognizing indie filmmakers from all over the world. U.S. and international films compete together in various sections of the festival. All the award winners are screened in our annual event.

We select, promote, feature and award films in each monthly edition. The official selections are screened privately to jury members who are award winning filmmakers of the past editions in various categories. All the award winners are then nominated for the annual screening and the competition of the festival.

The festival is also a partner of Chicago Movie Magazine which features our official selections and the award winners every month. All the filmmakers can submit for a personal interview with stills, poster, trailer and promotional material in order to promote their films.

Chicago Indie Film Awards is committed to supporting indie filmmakers from all over the world.

Awards & Prizes

Best U.S Narrative Feature
Best U.S. Narrative Short
Best U.S. Documentary Feature
Best U.S. Documentary short
Best U.S Actor/Feature and Short
Best U.S. Actress/Feature and Short
Best U.S. Cinematography/Feature and Short
Best U.S. Editing/Feature and Short
Best U.S Student Film
Best U.S. Unproduced Script
Best U.S. Script
Best U.S Directing/Feature and Short

Best International Narrative Feature
Best International Narrative Short
Best International Documentary Feature
Best International Documentary short
Best International Actor/Feature and Short
Best International Actress/Feature and Short
Best International Cinematography/Feature and Short
Best International Editing/Feature and Short
Best International Script
Best International Directing/Feature and Short
Best International Student Film

Rules & Terms

Once a film is selected for our annual event, it cannot be withdrawn.
Films can be available online and still be entered in the competition for our monthly festival.
Multiple submissions and multiple category submissions are accepted.
Films must have been completed within the past 4 years.
Shorts must be less than 50 minutes.
Chicago Indie Film Awards can use stills and trailers to promote films.

82 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Tom Smith

    Well organized and very professional

    January 2021
    Helpful
  • Arun Alexander Singh

    An incredible honor that "Human#19" was nominated as an
    "Official Selection". Thank you, Chicago Indie Film Awards!

    January 2021
    Helpful
  • John Tynan

    'Sorry' is my first film, so to have it selected was a huge boost and affirmation that my belief in it is well placed. Thank you, Chicago Indie Film Awards. Onwards and upwards.

    January 2021
    Helpful
  • Erik Borner

    Great communication and although Covid is the main story of these times, a nice and professional team! Thank you!

    January 2021
    Helpful
  • Tomás Welss

    I like the Chicago Indie Film Awards very much. All best, Tomás

    January 2021
    Helpful