As the Chicago International Film Festival kicks off its 60th anniversary edition this week, more than 200 filmmakers, musicians, artists, and actors are set to attend North America’s longest-running competitive film festival with their work, both new and newly restored, over the course of the twelve-day event.
The Festival opens Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at the Music Box Theatre with THE PIANO LESSON, with writer/director Malcolm Washington, star John David Washington, and screenwriter Virgil Williams in attendance. On Sunday October 27, Robert Zemeckis returns to his hometown to present HERE, marking the third time the legendary director has presented a film at the Festival’s Closing Night celebration.
Newly-announced guests include Emmy and Oscar-winning actress Melissa Leo (THE FIGHTER, FROZEN RIVER), who will appear at a screening of director Nnamdi Asomugha’s THE KNIFE; famed Chicago star of stage and screen Michael Shannon, appearing at screenings of Joshua Oppenheimer’s urgent and unforgettable cautionary musical THE END; and musician Stephen Malkmus, whose band PAVEMENTS is the subject of indie-film iconoclast Alex Ross Perry’s latest. Another musician, K-pop star Eric Nam, joins the Festival as the star of World Premiere TRANSPLANT, directed by Jason Park.
Comedy legend Mike Myers joins audiences for An Evening With Mike Myers, exploring the actor’s indelible imprint on our shared culture from SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE and WAYNE’S WORLD, to AUSTIN POWERS, to SHREK, moderated by fellow funny Canadian Dave Foley, on Saturday October 19. The following Saturday, October 26, MOONLIGHT star Andrè Holland receives the Festival’s Artistic Achievement Award and sits down for an in-depth conversation about his work at An Evening With André Holland moderated by Steppenwolf Theatre Co-Artistic Director Glenn Davis at the Gene Siskel Film Center.
Two acclaimed actresses join the Festival as directors this year. Valeria Golino, star of RAIN MAN, THE MORNING SHOW, and this year’s Festival selection MARIA, brings her latest directorial work to the Festival, the sumptuously photographed THE ART OF JOY; while Paz Vega, star of SEX AND LUCÍA and SPANGLISH, screens her directorial debut RITA, in which she also stars, in the New Directors Competition.
Some of the most intriguing filmmakers working today join the Festival this year, with work new and old. Japanese film master Kore-eda Hirokazu presents six of his seminal works and participates in audience talk-backs at each, before accepting the Festival’s Career Achievement Award at a screening of his NOBODY KNOWS. Director Brady Corbet presents a 35mm screening of THE BRUTALIST, exploring the life of a Mid-century visionary architect; and HOT TUB TIME MACHINE director Steve Pink trades in comedy for reality with his documentary on former Representative Adam Kinzinger of Illinois in THE LAST REPUBLICAN. Director RaMell Ross will accept the Festival’s Vanguard Award for his groundbreaking, visionary film NICKEL BOYS, and Marielle Heller brings her NIGHTBITCH to the Festival’s Centerpiece presentation.
The 60th Chicago International Film Festival runs October 16 – 27, 2024, with screenings and programs presented at venues across the city including AMC NEWCITY 14, the Music Box Theatre, the Gene Siskel Film Center, the Chicago History Museum, and the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts at the University of Chicago, with community screenings at the Hamilton Park Cultural Center in Englewood and the National Museum of Mexican Art. Tickets are on sale now at www.chicagofilmfestival.com.