Reeling Film Fest

The 44th Reeling Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival will take place from September 17 to 27, 2026, featuring 36 feature films and 59 short films from 22 countries. According to the festival's announcement, the event will include screenings at the Music Box Theatre, Landmark Century Centre Cinema, and Chicago Filmmakers Firehouse Cinema.

Festival Lineup

The festival's lineup includes a variety of films, such as La Bola Negra, which will be screened on Opening Night, and The Celluloid Closet, which will be screened on Closing Night. Other notable films include Caity, Jaripeo, and The Story of Miss Peppermint. The festival will also feature a number of shorts programs, including the Who Runs the World? program, which showcases films about queer women, and the Midnight Fuel section, which features darker and more thrilling films.

Film Highlights

Some of the films highlighted in the festival's lineup include Black Burns Fast, a South African coming-of-age comedy, and Julian, a moving romance about a couple's plan to marry in every country where their union is legally recognized. The festival will also feature a number of films that explore LGBTQ+ history and culture, such as The Prado & The Moon and Last Dance at the Sundance Stompede.

Ticket Information

Tickets for the festival are available online at www.reelingfilmfest.org or at the theater's box office on the day of the screening. The prices for tickets are $15 for regular screenings and $20 for the opening night presentation, with discounts available for members. Passes are also available for purchase, and members receive early access to tickets and passes.

Sponsors

The festival's sponsors include Steamworks and Best Western, as well as media sponsors such as the Chicago Reader and WBEZ. Screening sponsors include Asian Pop and other local organizations. According to Awardswatch, the festival is the second-longest running LGBTQ+ film festival in the world, and it promises to be an exciting and thought-provoking event. The festival will feature a range of films and programs, including:

The festival's schedule and lineup can be found on the Reeling Film Festival website, and tickets are available for purchase online or at the theater's box office.