Chicago International Film Festival returns in-person with new tweaks - Axios ChicagoLog InLog InAxios Chicago is an Axios company.

Chicago International Film Festival returns in person with new tweaks

"King of Kings: Chasing Edward Jones" tells the story of Chicago's "Policy King." Courtesy of Abelart Productions The 58th begins tonight, launching a program of 90 feature films and 60 shorts over the next 12 days. Why it matters: After two pandemic years that relied heavily on streaming, the festival is returning to mostly in-person screenings at venues that now include the Chicago History Museum and two park district locations. Plus, organizers ditched the fancy opening night gala for an inclusive free block party tonight in front of the Music Box Theatre on Southport. What they're saying: "We really wanted everyone to feel welcome," CIFF artistic director Mimi Plauche tells Axios. "Whether you're traveling from other neighborhoods or live down the street, we want everyone to come and celebrate film in Chicago." Hollywood highlights: This year's hot tickets include: Darren Aronofsky's "The Whale," starring Brendan Fraser. Sarah Polley's "Women Talking."Sam Mendes' "Empire of Light." Local highlights: Several films spotlight Chicago topics, filmmakers and people, including: Oscar-nominated documentarian Steve James ("Hoop Dreams") presents "" about a Manhattan Project researcher who passed secrets to the Soviets in an effort to save humanity. "" tells the story of one of the most powerful Chicagoans of the 20th century, who ran the city's "policy" game in the '30s and '40s. "" follows a local hotel maintenance man who discovers a stash of hallucinogenic worms. Five more local films to check outAlex Thompson presents "," a psychological thriller about a medical resident working at a rural Illinois hospital. Chicago filmmaker Alex Heller writes, stars and directs "," a comedy about returning to suburban Chicago after being kicked out of college. "" follows first-year Evanston alder Robin Rue Simmons as she fights for groundbreaking reparations legislation. Directed by Erika Alexander ("John Lewis: Good Trouble") and Whitney Dow ("Two Towns of Jasper")."" stars Elizabeth Banks and Sigourney Weaver as Chicago women who ran the city's Carey Mulligan stars in "" as former Tribune reporter Megan Twohey, who broke the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse story along with Jodi Kantor of the New York Times. Get more local stories in your inbox with .Subscribe Support local journalism by becoming a member.

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