ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Reeling 2026: The 44th Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival will screen approximately 75-100 independent films and videos in-person over 11 days from September 17-27.
We invite you to enter this year's festival and ask you to please take a moment to read through our Festival Regulations and Entry Procedures before you enter your work.
For information on last year's festival, visit us at https://reelingfilmfest.org/.
For more information or questions, call 773-293-1447 or email
reelingprogramming@chicagofilmmakers.org. We look forward to viewing your work!
GENERAL RULES:
ENTRY FEES
Early Deadline: $30 ($25 student) for the first entry and $10 for each additional entry by the same entrant.
Regular Deadline: $40 ($30 student) for the first entry and $15 for each additional entry by the same entrant.
Late Deadline: $45 ($35 student) for the first entry and $20 for each additional entry by the same entrant.
DISCOUNTS AND WAIVERS
Waiver codes are only available for Reeling alum by emailing reelingprogramming@chicagofilmmakers.org.
Discount codes are available upon request for currently-enrolled students and for the submission of multiple entries by the same entrant by emailing reelingprogramming@chicagofilmmakers.org.
SCREENING FEES
By entering Reeling, the entrant acknowledges that Reeling does not pay rental fees or screening fees for the exhibition of entered works.
FESTIVAL AWARDS
Official entries will be eligible for Jury Awards voted on by juries of film professionals and Audience Awards chosen by audience vote.
SCREENERS
Submissions must include a secure online screener in FilmFreeway for preview. Entrants must also supply a password-protected screener link for press review purposes immediately upon notification of acceptance into Reeling.
NOTIFICATIONS
You will be notified by email and within the FilmFreeway system if your entry is accepted to the festival. You will be notified only within the FilmFreeway system if your entry was not selected. Notifications will be made on or before our listed notification date.
PHOTOS AND POSTER IMAGE
If your film is selected we will require still images from your film and, if available, a poster image.
WORKS-IN-PROGRESS
Rough cuts and works-in-progress are eligible for submission only if a completed final copy is available for preview by the beginning of June. A brief explanation describing changes to be made for the final version and expected date of completion must be included with your entry.
PREMIERE STATUS
We generally do not program works that have screened in Chicago, have been shown on television, are available on Blu-ray/DVD, or are available for streaming or are otherwise online prior to the festival. Exceptions are determined on a case-by-case basis. It is your responsibility to disclose this information on your entry form and to notify us immediately of any changes after your submission is made.
EXHIBITION COPIES
Reeling will provide specifications for exhibition options upon acceptance.
***Accessibility***
Reeling is committed to increasing access for people with disabilities to our programming. Though not required, we encourage all selected filmmakers to submit caption files (or hard coded open captions) along with the exhibition copy. Availability of audio description is also welcome.
MEDIA PROMOTION
By entering your film you automatically consent to the use of excerpts, trailers, and still images for TV, website, social media, and other promotional purposes. Reeling must be notified in writing at the time of submission of any press restrictions.
AUTHORIZATION
By entering your film you automatically acknowledge your acceptance of all Reeling submission guidelines and regulations. By entering the festival, the entrant automatically authorizes Reeling to publicly screen the work in the festival and agrees to provide an exhibition copy for the period of the festival at no charge. If the film is picked up for distribution after the film has been entered, it is still the responsibility of the entrant to provide an exhibition copy to the festival without charge. Once a film is submitted for entry, it may not be withdrawn. The entrant assumes all financial responsibility and legal liability for the content of their work including, but not limited to, usage of all copyrighted material for story, voice, visual images, and music.
