International Documentary Film Festival
October 28–30, 2026 · Chicago, Illinois
Three days of international documentary cinema, rooted in the CIFF Docufest tradition.
51st Chicago International Film Festival, 2015 · Photo: Timothy M. Schmidt
Chicago DOCUFEST presents twenty-eight documentaries completed in 2024–2026 across four competition sections — US and International features and shorts — with filmmaker conversations after most screenings.
The festival grows out of Docufest, the documentary strand of the Chicago International Film Festival. About the festival · CIFF archive
Four titles from the 2026 official selection — features and shorts from 2024–2026.
Red carpet at 6:30 PM and the opening screening at 7:30 PM at AMC River East 21.
The two-time Academy Award winner leads the feature documentary jury for the US and International sections.
Shiori Ito's documentary opens the festival on October 28 at AMC River East 21.
Twenty-eight documentaries in four sections — US and International features and shorts.
Four competition sections: US and International feature (60+ min) and short (under 40 min) documentaries.
Early bird March 15 · Regular April 30 · Final August 31
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