The Chicago Film Critics Association announces the line-up for the 13th Chicago Critics Film Festival, running from May 1-7, 2026 at the historic Music Box Theatre. A blend of new and familiar voices, this year’s line-up reflects the breadth of filmmaking in 2026 including new works from Olivia Wilde, Dawn Porter, and Joe Swanberg, all scheduled to attend.
Other guests include Cory Michael Smith, Edd Benda, Stephen Helstad, Zach Schnitzer, and Nate Simon. New films starring Seth Rogen, Willem Dafoe, John Early, Samara Weaving, Paul Rudd, Dustin Hoffman, and Cooper Hoffman will premiere, along with two shorts programs, five documentaries, and three timely anniversary titles: Steven Spielberg’s “A.I.: Artificial Intelligence,” David Cronenberg’s “The Fly,” and Jonathan Demme’s “Something Wild,” all presented on 35mm. Watch this space for more information but get your tickets now while you can.
Friday, May 1st
6:30pm “The Invite” (on 35mm w/Q&A with director/star Olivia Wilde)
9:30pm “The Fly” (40th anniversary on 35mm)
11:59pm “Decorado”
Saturday, May 2nd
11:30am “Shorts Program 1” (w/directors Q&A)
2pm “Tuner”
4:30pm “Carolina Caroline”
7:15pm “Power Ballad”
9:45pm “I Want Your Sex”
11:59pm “Leviticus”
Sunday, May 3rd
11:30am “You Had to Be There”
1:45pm “Shorts Program 2” (w/directors Q&A)
4:15pm “Maddie’s Secret”
6:30pm “Late Fame”
8:45pm “A.I.: Artificial Intelligence” (25th anniversary)
Monday, May 4th
4:15pm “The Last One for the Road”
6:30pm “When a Witness Recants” (w/Q&A with director Dawn Porter)
9:30pm “Time and Water”
Tuesday, May 5th
4:30pm “If I Go Will They Miss Me”
7pm “Chili Finger” (w/Q&A with writer/directors Edd Benda & Stephen Helstad)
9:45pm “Black Zombie”
Wednesday, May 6th
4:15pm “Romeria”
7pm “Loafers” (w/Q&A with writer/director/star Zach Schnitzer and producer Nate Simon)
9:30pm “Something Wild” (40th anniversary on 35mm)
Thursday, May 7th
5pm “Broken English”
7:30pm “The Sun Never Sets” (w/Q&A with writer/director Joe Swanberg and star Cory Michael Smith)