The Chicago Indie Film Awards is devoted to independent cinema, supporting arthouse films from both the US and around the globe through its IMDb qualifying competition in partnership with the Chicago Movie Magazine. The festival's committee is made up of enthusiastic individuals dedicated to backing and promoting international indie films, original scripts, and the talented artists behind them. They recognize the significance of providing a platform for diverse voices and uni

Set in Chicago, the espionage action-thriller Assassin League: Episode II – Shadows of an Empire follows the skilled operative Kendrick Knight as he infiltrates a poker fundraiser at a billionaire defense mogul’s mansion. During this covert mission to retrieve a dangerous dossier, Kendrick uncovers an empire of private military power, autonomous weapons, and hidden agendas. He, along with his partner Michael and an undercover agent, must navigate a game where the stakes have

On January 26, 1993, amid the chaotic and tumultuous atmosphere of the war that engulfed Croatia, a tragic event unfolded in the small hamlet of Modrići, located in the region of Zaton Obrovački. On this fateful day, enemy soldiers committed a heinous war crime that would leave an indelible mark on the local community. In a brutal act of violence, six innocent civilians were brutally liquidated, their lives cut short by the ravages of conflict. This incident not only highligh

A young man hurries through the dark streets, dressed in a sharp suit. He enters a room where a young woman, a prostitute, awaits on the bed. What appears to be a routine, sordid encounter transforms into the unexpected discovery of two lonely souls, distant yet close. Two genuine individuals, compelled to play roles in a world they don't belong to. Their brief meeting becomes a journey toward salvation and possibly redemption. However, this path to salvation will be marked b

The film narrates the story of Wan Quanhe, a barefoot doctor, and his quirky yet joyful life. Wan Quanhe, a rural young man with limited intelligence, is inspired by a city girl named Ma Li. He dedicates 50 years to "treating" villagers and studying herbal medicine to become the person Ma Li envisions. However, when Ma Li returns to the city, she has forgotten him. Wan Quanhe is akin to a Chinese version of Forrest Gump and Sisyphus. Whether his life is happy or unfortunate i

Following a series of rejections, a woman dealing with Depression and Social Anxiety finds solace in the quiet companionship of her two cherished cats. This is a poignant tale about confronting silent struggles and dealing with mental health issues. Bruna Perussello is a film, theater, and voice actress, as well as a writer, director, and producer based in Montreal, Canada. Originally hailing from Brazil, she is fluent in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish. She has appe

Sharon Hoogstraten delves into her Indigenous Chicago roots, uncovering the history of her forebears linked to Archange Ouilmette and the early Native communities in the area. The journey spans from Chicago to Iowa and eventually Kansas, highlighting the forced relocations that altered Native families and histories. Along Lake Michigan and through historical documents, Sharon reconstructs a narrative long absent from public memory. This film was produced to showcase Chicago's

A soldier immune to death. A mind trapped in turmoil. Interpol's most wanted, Topaz, resurfaces after eight years of conflict—physically unharmed yet internally shattered. Utilizing genuine hypnosis footage, the film delves into his psyche, immersing us in six brutal encounters that devastate lives and blur the boundary between reality and nightmare. "I Just Want To Kill You" doesn't merely portray war—it makes you experience it. Venus Tamirlan is a Producer, Director, Writer

399 Forever is a poignant and immersive documentary that intricately follows the lives of dedicated wildlife guides, talented photographers, and the iconic grizzly bear known as 399, who has captured the hearts of many. This film delves deep into the final year of her life, showcasing not only her majestic presence in the wild but also the profound impact she has had on the ecosystem and the community surrounding her habitat. Throughout the documentary, viewers are invited to

"Nothing to See Here: Watts" centers on a bold act of radical self-representation that brings together adversaries and saves lives. The independent documentary feature is directed by Michael Soenen. What occurs when an outsider accompanies police officers through Watts, a 2.1 square mile neighborhood in South Los Angeles, historically known as one of the nation's most violent and divided areas? That night, he observed shootings, murders, and heartbreak. He returned home, just