Legendary Norwegian actress Liv Ullmann’s Miss Julie opens the Festival’s 50th edition, with lead Colin Farrell also in attendance. Kathleen Turner serves as International Feature Competition Jury president, which also includes German actress and director Margarethe von Trotta. Iranian director Mohsen Makhmalbaf’s The President wins the Gold Hugo, while the inaugural Roger Ebert Award, given to a filmmaker with a “fresh and uncompromising vision,” goes to Mexican director Jorge Pérez Solano for La Tirisía. Alejandro Gonzaléz Iñárritu’s Birdman screens, with star Michael Keaton receiving recognition Other guests include Taylor Hackford, Oliver Stone, Justin Simien, Polish master Krzysztof Zanussi, Gina Prince-Bythewood and actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw.

CineYouth welcomes director Jonathan Levine, and for the first time, presents international films as Official Selections. Kelsey Grammer is honored at the Spring Television Awards. The 48th Chicago International Film Festival may be the most star-studded yet, with Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, Alan Arkin, Jon Bon Jovi, and director Fisher Stevens greeting fans before the Opening Night screening of Stand Up Guys. Lana Wachowski, Lily Wachowski, and Tom Tykwer visit the Festival for the debut of Cloud Atlas, and Helen Hunt introduces The Sessions. David O. Russell discusses his work on Silver Linings Playbook, and the Festival spotlights films from the Middle East. Leos Carax’s Holy Motors wins Best International Feature, with star Denis Lavant honored for his performance.