The IMDb qualifying Chicago Indie Film Awards in partnership with the Chicago Movie magazine is devoted to the art of indie filmmaking; a journey of artistic expressionism, compelling narratives and unique forms and voices in independent filmmaking and screenwriting.

The festival celebrates indie U.S. and international film and script projects through its annual and bi-monthly competition. The festival is looking for fiction, documentary, experimental, animation, comedy and all genres of filmmaking which can inspire us, challenge us and make us think.

In addition to being visual, cinema combines most aspects of art; these include symbolism, subject matter, theme and background. Cinema is the most influential form of art since it is the only form in which you can have the largest impact on a wide range of individuals. Our team brings together filmmakers, actors, directors, writers, artists and critics from US, Canada, Germany, France, Japan, United Kingdom and all over the globe in order to network and select the best of each category.

Chicago Indie Film Awards is committed to indie filmmaking and the language of cinema as an art form. Our mission is to inspire & motivate people to discover the world through the art of motion pictures and indie filmmaking.

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 the 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 through Chicago Movie magazine and other media partners of the festival.
Entry fees are non refundable.

319 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
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Networking
  • Karina Loerchner

    Thank you to the Chicago Indie Film Awards for awarding my film 'Nix's Symphony' Best Student film! There was lots of communication and it was always clear. Overall a very well organized festival! Looking forward to entering my next film into this festival.

    April 2024
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  • Nicolae Bogdan Groza

    I was very glad to find that my comedy screenplay 'Wimpy' was selected as Nominee for this festival.

    April 2024
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  • Mark Short

    I want to thank the Chicago Indie Film Awards for choosing our film to be nominated for their festival.

    April 2024
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  • Gary Kaulback

    Thank-you Chicago for selecting 'Time Flies' to be a part of your festival. It was a pleasure.

    April 2024
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  • Karolos Zonaras

    Well, recently I had my film “Tranzit” selected for the Chicago Indie Film Awards and then, a week later, I found out that it was also awarded in the category of Best Science Fiction: https://www.chicagofilmawards.com/22nd. What does this mean? Was the film screened somewhere, I mean in a theater with spectators? Who saw it? Who decided about this award? I sent a mail at this address movies@chicagofilmawards.com asking for information but nobody answered me.

    January 2024
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