President Ronald Reagan praises the Festival, writing “the Chicago International Film Festival serves both artists and the public by providing a forum for discussion and sharing.” The Festival presents a tribute to the recently-deceased Rainer Werner Fassbinder, featuring five of his films. Chicago-born actress Ann-Margaret appears, and Robert Altman makes his first of many appearances a the Festival with his Come Back to the Five & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, which takes home top honors.