Chicago Critics Film Festival Announces Movie Lineup, Special Guests

LAKEVIEW (April 25, 2022) — Tickets are now on sale for the Chicago Critics Film Festival, which will return to the Music Box Theatre May 13 for its ninth season. More than 20 new features, shorts and special guests are on the calendar for the week-long celebration of cinema in the heart of Lakeview.

The festival will open with the endearing Sundance award winner “Cha Cha Real Smooth” starring writer-director Cooper Raiff, who will be in attendance for the opening night screening on May 13. The young filmmaker received raves for his second feature about a recent college graduate whose job as a bar mitzvah party starter leads to an unlikely bond with a young family. Producer Dakota Johnson also stars.

Other great films making their way from Park City to Chicago include “Emily the Criminal,” starring Aubrey Plaza as a woman caught up in a money scheme, and “A Love Song,” which “Nomadland” fans will love. “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” makes its feature-length debut on May 14. "To Leslie" director Michael Morris will take the stage at the Music Box to examine the true story behind his SXSW favorite about a Texas lottery winner trying to rebuild her life.

Midnight screenings and documentaries will be on the big screen throughout the week. Filmmaker Stefan Forbes will come to Chicago to discuss his documentary "Hold Your Fire," which recounts the longest hostage situation in New York Police Department history. Kristen Abate and Steven Tanenbaum will do a post-show Q&A for “Straighten Up and Fly Away,” their feature about a New York City writer living with a disability.

Along with the new films, many of which are making their Chicago premieres, a variety of other programs will be offered, including two short film programs and special anniversary screenings like “Boogie Nights” and “Bram Stoker’s Dracula.” Patton Oswalt stars in the closing night selection “I Love My Dad” on May 19. The full lineup and schedule are now available to view here.

As always, the Chicago Film Critics Association has selected a unique lineup that brings film festival season to Lakeview. All screenings will be held at the Music Box Theatre at 3733 N. Southport Ave. Festival passes and individual tickets are on sale now.