Chicago Filmmakers is currently taking entries for the 37th Onion City Experimental Film Festival, which takes place April 8-11, 2027. The regular deadline is October 22 and the late deadline is November 19.
Onion City was founded in the 1980s by the Experimental Film Coalition.
Submission fees:
Submission fees are charged
Location:
Chicago, United States
Deadline:
Repeats every week 1 times. Also includes Wed Nov 18 2026.
Chicago Filmmakers, the presenting organization of the Onion City Experimental Film Festival, is pleased to announce a dynamic lineup of eight competition screenings and five special event programs for its 36th edition. Recognized by Moviemaker Magazine as one of the top five "coolest" experimental and underground film festivals in the world, Onion City recognizes excellence in experimental film and expanded cinema. Onion City runs from April 9 – 12, 2026, at four venues.
Dates:
Thursday, April 9, 2026 (All day) to Sunday, April 12, 2026 (All day)
The 33rd Onion City Experimental Film Festival Competition Program 1: Machine Perspectives ONLINE (April 1 - April 9) & IN-PERSON (March 31, 2023 at 7PM)
Onion City is one of the premiere international festivals exclusively devoted to experimental film and video.
Onion City was founded in the 1980s by the Experimental Film Coalition and run by them for many years. Chicago Filmmakers assumed responsibility for the festival in 2001, and expanded the size and opened it up to video work as well as film. It is generally 8-10 programs over four days and features roughly 60-70 works from around the world. Aside from the competition programs, there are occasional special presentations of new or old films of note or guest presentations. Screenings take place at Chicago Filmmakers and other venues around mid-June.
