Chicago Indie Film Awards celebrates independent U.S. and international film and script projects of all genres. 

The monthly festival is an IMDb qualifying festival. The international virtual platform is dedicated to supporting, promoting and recognizing indie film projects and scripts from all over the world.

Every monthly edition, the award winners are credited on IMDb and will be promoted through Chicago Movie Magazine and social media. The winners can request for online screening.

U.S. and international projects compete together in various sections of the festival. The official selections of the monthly editions are screened privately to jury members of each edition in various categories. Our team consists of filmmakers, actors, directors, writers and critics from all over the world.

We believe that we live in a new era of digital technology and the festivals need to be able to adjust to various forms of online competitions and virtual events in order to recognize and promote talented artists working in media.

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

Awards & Prizes

Best Narrative Feature
Best Narrative Short
Best Documentary Feature
Best Documentary short
Best Experimental
Best Animation
Best Science Fiction
Best Horror
Best Director
Best Producer
Best Cinematography
Best Editor
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Script
Best Unproduced script
Best TV Series/Pilot/Web
Best Comedy
Best Student Film
Best Music Video
Best Thriller
Best Trailer
Best Composer
Best First Time Filmmaker
Best Female Filmmaker
Best Indie Film

Rules & Terms

Films can be available online and still submit to our monthly festival.
Films must have been completed within the past 4 years.
Shorts must be less than 50 minutes.
Chicago Indie Film Awards can use stills, poster, headshots and trailers to promote films and artists.
Entry fees are non refundable since our programmers will go through all submitted projects.

150 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Dale Zawada

    I couldn't be happier with CIFA, and no I didn't win anything lol.

    May 2021
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  • Aleksander Alifirenko

    I was excited and very pleased. As the city of Chicago is one of many I love the most. To where I am excited to be apart of something with Chicago film festival, both now and anytime again in the future. Thank you again Chicago. I tip my hat to you all. An to all the judges as well. 💯🙏

    May 2021
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  • BILAN LIAO

    I am so honored Chicago Indie Film Awards select my film “An Artist’s Journey from China to America for the monthly competition, and for the interview on the Chicago Movie Magazine. Thanks to the jury, and the Film Festival for providing me such great supporting.
    Director: BiLan Liao

    May 2021
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  • Rogelio Fojo

    We are truly honored that the Chicago Indie Film Awards festival has just recognized our film about stage magicians, "The Stooge", with the Best Editor award! From our entire cast & crew: Gracias!

    May 2021
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  • RUBEN MONTIEL MENDOZA

    ¡Muchas gracias por haber seleccionado y haber premiado mi corto documental El Lente y La Memoria, es un honor haber participado con ustedes, les envío un cordial saludo y mi agradecimiento por apoyar al cine independiente!

    Rubén Montiel Mendoza.

    May 2021
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