History
“Being at the Chicago International Film Festival, it really reminds me that I haven’t made my ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ yet -- I haven't made my ‘Grapes of Wrath’ yet. It makes me hungry. I will go home from here with a healthy appetite to keep working.”
- Steven Spielberg, Director/Producer
“The Chicago International Film Festival has spent its lifetime being a lifeline for new directors, films, and national cinemas.”
- Roger Ebert, Film Critic, Chicago Sun-Times
“The Chicago International Film Festival reminds us that movies are truly beautiful.”
- Jodie Foster, Actor/Director
"Slumdog Millionnaire's success is a tribute to film festivals and how important they are. Sometimes, as filmmakers, you forget how important they are. This film is a shout out to all film festivals"
- Danny Boyle, Director, Slumdog Millionnaire, Trainspotting
"The Chicago International Film Festival has a very special place in my heart not only because I love the city and it’s amazing architecture (which is why I chose it as the location for my film STRANGER THAN FICTION) but also because the films I have seen there and the festival itself, along with the audience, always inspire me."
- Marc Forster, Director, Quantum of Solace
About Our Logo
Some have thought they were Charlie Chaplin's eyes (including Mr. Chaplin), others thought they were Liza Minnelli's (including Ms. Minnelli). However, those intriguing eyes on the Chicago International Film Festival logo belong to a combination of silent screen sirens. All legendary. Theda Bara, Pola Negri and Mae Murray. These ladies vamped it up in countless films at the dawn of cinema. The logo is a rendering of all three! Created by Festival Founder and Artistic Director Michael Kutza, has become internationally recognized as an image that represents both the allure of the silver screen and the cinematic celebration that takes place every year in Chicago.
Each year the festival specializes in showcasing the greatest directors, the freshest visions, and the strongest cinematic stories. The silent star Celluloid hero, with her heavily mascared eyes, continues to be the Festival's guiding vision since 1964.
