Lights, Laughs & Love: Chicago Film Festival 2025 Rolled Out the Red Carpet!
- Carmen Fashion
- Oct 30, 2025
- 2 min read
What a whirlwind of movie magic! The 61st Chicago International Film Festival just wrapped up, and wow — the Windy City was absolutely buzzing with excitement! From October 15 to 26, film lovers, artists, and dreamers from all around the world filled theaters across Chicago to celebrate the beauty of storytelling on the big screen.
This year’s festival was huge — with nearly 120 feature films and 70 short films from over 60 countries! That’s a whole world of stories packed into just 12 incredible days. The festival kicked off with the world premiere of “One Golden Summer” by Chicago’s own Kevin Shaw — a heartwarming film about the highs and lows of the Jackie Robinson West Little League team. Talk about hometown pride! ⚾💛
The excitement didn’t stop there. The festival’s centerpiece, “Rental Family” by Japanese filmmaker Hikari, starred none other than Brendan Fraser as an actor who takes on a very unusual job — pretending to be people’s loved ones in Tokyo. Then, to wrap up the festival, movie fans were treated to “Eternity,” a sweet and funny romantic comedy about the afterlife featuring Elizabeth Olsen. What a perfect way to end an unforgettable week! 🌟
Festival director Mimi Plauché said this year was all about discovery — mixing well-known filmmakers with bold new voices. Many of the films explored coming-of-age themes, like growing up, finding yourself, and facing change. Titles like “Strange River” from Spain and “Brand New Landscape” from Japan moved audiences and sparked great conversations.
As always, the festival’s mission was clear: to celebrate creativity, connection, and diversity through the power of film. Chicago proved once again that it’s not just the “Windy City” — it’s the city where stories soar.
Until next year, cinephiles! Keep your popcorn ready and your eyes on the screen — the next great story might be just around the corner. 🍿💫
Comments