Cinema/Chicago, the presenting organization of the Chicago International Film Festival, is pleased to announce that the organization has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for a Grants for Arts Projects award of $40,000. This grant will support the artistic programming and professional development at the 61st Chicago International Film Festival, Industry Days conference, and associated public programming. The NEA will award 1,127 Grants for Arts Projects awards nationwide totaling more than $31.8 million as part of the recent announcement of fiscal year 2025 grants.
“For six decades, our mission has remained steadfast: To discover and uplift international and independent films and filmmakers from around the world, to connect this work with audiences in Chicago, and to provide a platform for Chicago and midwestern filmmakers to grow creatively and have their work connect with global movie lovers,” said Managing Director, Vivian Teng. “We are grateful for the generous support of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Their commitment to supporting the arts helps us provide access to impactful cinema in neighborhoods across the city and offer professional development opportunities for both emerging and established filmmakers.”
“The NEA is proud to continue our nearly 60 years of supporting the efforts of organizations and artists that help to shape our country’s vibrant arts sector and communities of all types across our nation,” said NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD. “It is inspiring to see the wide range of creative projects taking place, including the upcoming 61st edition of the Chicago International Film Festival.”
The 61st Chicago International Film Festival will celebrate cinema’s power to inspire, challenge, and connect by presenting over 100 international and independent narrative and documentary features and 60 short films. Drawing more than 45,000 attendees from Chicago and beyond, the Festival will spotlight films from over 60 countries in seven venues across Chicago. The Festival will host approximately 130 guests, including directors, actors, writers, producers, and artists, who will engage audiences through post-screening discussions, masterclasses, juries, industry panels, and networking events.
For more information on other projects included in the NEA’s grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news.
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