Reeling Film Festival

Reeling 2026 is officially scheduled for Sept. 17-27. The program and ticket grid are not posted yet, but the festival remains one of the country's longest-running LGBTQ+ film festivals and the place to watch for global queer cinema in Chicago.

  • Dates: September 17–27, 2026
  • Where: Various theaters
  • Neighborhood: Citywide
  • Cost: Ticketed

Schedule

  1. Sept. 17-27 — Festival Window Confirmed: Official Reeling site references Reeling 2026 as scheduled for September 17-27, 2026.
  2. Watchlist — Program Pending: Film lineup, venues, showtimes, and pass pricing are still to be announced.

What to expect

44th Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival, September 17–27, 2026 — 11 days of approximately 75–100 independent films and videos screened in-person across multiple Chicago theaters (the Music Box, Chicago Filmmakers, Gene Siskel Film Center, and the Davis Theater are typical venues). One of the country's longest-running LGBTQ+ film festivals, with shorts programs, narrative features, documentaries, retrospectives, opening and closing-night galas with Q&As.

Tickets

Ticket and pass details for Reeling 2026 are not yet posted on the public festival site. Expect individual screenings, passes, member discounts, and opening/closing events once the program launches, but confirm prices at reelingfilmfest.org before buying.

Transit

Depends on venue. Music Box: Brown Line to Southport. Chicago Filmmakers: Red Line to Granville. Siskel Film Center: Red/Brown to State/Lake. Davis Theater: Brown to Western. All accessible by CTA. Driving works at the Davis and Filmmakers; difficult at Music Box and Siskel.

Bag policy

Standard movie-theater rules at each venue; no outside food/drink. Small bags fine.

Family-friendly

Workable for older teens and adults but not infants — these are films, often serious, often R-rated. The festival has historically programmed family-affirming and youth-LGBTQ-themed films but those are select screenings; check the program guide. Theater seating only, no stroller storage — leave the stroller at home.

Local tips

  1. Do not wait only for marquee titles. Reeling's shorts programs are often the most surprising and best-value part of the festival.
  2. Q&As matter here. Stay after the credits when filmmakers are present; the room conversation is part of the point.
  3. Buy opening and closing nights early once posted; those are the quickest sellouts.
  4. Use membership if you expect to see several screenings; Chicago Filmmakers/Reeling discounts can change the math.
  5. Check content notes when the program posts. Reeling includes joy, sex, politics, trauma, archival work, and experimental material.

Frequently asked questions

When is Reeling 2026?

September 17-27, 2026, according to current Reeling 2026 hiring/sponsorship materials on the official site.

Are tickets on sale?

Not yet from the public site reviewed here. Ticket and pass details should be confirmed once the 2026 program launches.

What kind of films does Reeling show?

International LGBTQ+ narrative features, documentaries, shorts, special screenings, and filmmaker conversations.

Is this the same as Chicago Pride events?

No. Reeling is a film festival and year-round queer cinema institution, not a parade or street fest.

Official festival information