Chicago is celebrating its role as a global city as local and international filmmakers are showcased at the 48th annual Chicago International Film Festival.
The festival began Thursday and will continue through Oct. 25. Out of the 1,300 feature submissions and 2,100 short submissions, only 120 feature films and 50 shorts that were selected to be shown at the festival. More than 50 countries are represented at the festival.
“Whether by daring debuting filmmakers or celebrated auteurs, as a collection the program presents a brilliant, kaleidoscopic snapshot of the state of world cinema today,” said Mimi Plauché, programming director of the festival.
This year, the festival is featuring a number of films which showcase local talent. The festival opener shown Thursday night was the world premiere of “Stand-Up Guys” both produced and directed by Chicagoans. The festival centerpiece, “Cloud Atlas” is also directed by native Chicagoans. The festival will close with Chicagoan Robert Zameckis’ new film “Flight.”
“This is a remarkable year for Chicagoans in the film industry,” said Michael Kutza, founder and artistic director. “As a native Chicagoan, I am proud to celebrate our local filmmakers’ contributions to the art of the moving image.”
Festival films are shown either as competitors for the “Gold Hugo,” the festival’s top prize, or as part of non-competitive themed series.
These non-competitive series include regional categories like “Spotlight Middle East” and “Cinema of the Americas” and categories that spotlight minority interests in the film world, such as “Black Perspectives,” “Reelwomen” and