UPCOMING SCREENING
Group 312 Films 2026 Annual Report
Join us for an evening celebrating fearless creativity and artistic collaboration!
UPCOMING CLASSES & TRAINING
Year-Round Classes in Digital Filmmaking, Cinematography, Documentary, Screenwriting, and more! Taught by professional filmmakers and university professors, our classes help students develop fundamental skills in filmmaking through in-depth discussions, hands-on demonstrations, and creative collaboration.
ADULT CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
REELING FILM FESTIVAL
Credit: Jaleel A. Muhammad
SEPTEMBER 17-27, 2026.
Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival is the second longest-running film festival of its kind, and prides itself on showcasing the best LGBTQ+ films and videos each year. From award-winning international feature films to social documentaries to experimental shorts, Reeling has always presented a range of genres that demonstrate the rich diversity of work being produced.
Tickets are on sale now!
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAM
PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS ready to work!
Chicago Filmmakers’ trained and certified Production Assistants are ready to work on your production! For resumes and recommendations, email education@chicagofilmmakers.org
Breaking into the film industry can be challenging and expensive. Through our tuition-free, two-month PA Assistant Training Program, we aim to build a more inclusive film workforce. The program is designed to give trainees the practical skills and connections needed to work on set through classes, exercises, field trips, mentorship, and local networking opportunities.
ONION CITY FILM FESTIVAL
Thanks for attending Onion City 2026!
Credit: Riesling Dong with stills from Outer Space (1999) by Peter Tscherkassky
APRIL 9-12, 2026
Onion City is a four-day festival presented by Chicago Filmmakers that celebrates the best in contemporary experimental film. Onion City opens on Thursday, April 9 and continues through Sunday, April 12, with eight competition screenings and five special event programs.
FILMMAKING SUMMER CAMPS
Hands-on and collaborative, this all-encompassing camp gives budding filmmakers a crash-course in filmmaking that teaches a wide range of skills including creating shot-lists, scouting locations, setting up camera angles, using green screen, post-production editing, and sound design.
All camp sessions for 2026 are sold out, but you can join the waitlist below.
Apply Now! We Accept submissions on a rolling basis.
CHICAGO SEEN is a free opportunity for Chicago-based films and filmmakers (past and present) to screen at our Firehouse Cinema, Chicago’s Film Community Headquarters at 1326 W. Hollywood Avenue. Celebrating local cinema!
OUR COMMUNITY
We Accept Donations to Chicago Filmmakers year-round | Support Independent Cinema!
THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY
We are a hub for Film Lovers and Filmmakers throughout Chicagoland and the world; connecting the global movie scene at our Edgewater home base. Our doors are open to you; building Chicago’s most inclusive film community, where thousands of artists have launched their careers and found their first great ideas. Come visit our Firehouse Cinema, participate in our screenings, classes, and workshops, get assistance with your important socially-relevant projects, and share your visionary work. Help support our vital mission by sharing, participating, giving, volunteering, and partnering with us as we celebrate 50 years!
Learn how to edit using the industry-standard Adobe Premiere Pro! Topics covered include trimming, transitions, titling, sound, color correction and an introduction to visual effects. Adobe's digital editing software has long been used by professional editors around the world. This course offers a series of in-depth video tutorials for students to learn the complete process of editing on Premiere Pro, from organizing footage to uploading to the web, and weekly meetings with the instructor on Zoom to provide additional guidance. Topics covered include basic editing, trimming, transitions, titling, sound, color correction, and an intro to special effects. No previous film/video editing experience is necessary.
Course Length: 5 weeks
Times: Wednesdays, September 30 - October 28, 2026; 6:30 - 9:30 PM Central
Location: Online
Instructor: Mike Bohacz
Become a Chicago Filmmakers Member and receive $15 off all classes as well as other benefits!
Review our Registration & Refund Policies before purchasing.