Chicago International Film Festival 2025 Picks

The 61st Chicago International Film Festival returns this Fall from October 15th-26th, 2025! Below are my picks for this year’s festival.

Frankenstein
Fri., Oct. 17, 2025, 6pm | Music Box Theatre
Mon., Oct. 20, 2025, 1:30pm | AMC Newcity 14–Screen 06

Guillermo del Toro, a favorite contemporary director of mine, indulges us in his take on the Mary Shelley classic. I’m looking forward to enjoying his vision for this film and watching for any homages to the 1931 classic.

Franz
Sat., Oct. 18, 2025, 2pm | AMC Newcity 14–Screen 06
Sun., Oct. 19, 2025, 11am | AMC Newcity 14–Screen 06

Polish filmmaker Agnieszka Holland takes on the story of Franz Kafka. As a Polish American, former English teacher, and The Metamorphosis fan, I’m very curious to learn more about Kafka’s actual life. I enjoy biographical films and am wondering how the surreal nature of his writing might be portrayed in this film. I wonder if we’ll get to experience a portion of the story from Gregor Samsa’s perspective?

Check out the full festival lineup here.