The 62nd annual Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) is in full swing now through Sunday, October 25—and if you haven’t caught a screening yet, you’ll want to have these local pictures on your radar.
The 2026 CIFF schedule features a selection of films set and produced right here in the Windy City.
From the real-life story of a Chicago culinary star to a chilling true-crime-inspired thriller, here are 3 of the locally based films you won’t want to miss at CIFF ’26.
Ever After
What happens when one of Chicago’s greatest culinary minds attempts a landmark restaurant opening during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Star Chef Curtis Duffy and director Frankie Nasso tackle this question and more in the world premiere of their breakthrough documentary.
Ever After chronicles Chef Duffy’s quest for fine dining greatness, from a traumatic Midwest upbringing to his rise to fame as head chef of ill-fated restaurant Grace.
From the ashes of Grace, Duffy and his crew work to establish fine dining concept Ever, with an opening planned just days before the dawn of COVID-19 lockdowns.
Filmed over a 7-year period, the documentary faced numerous hiccups on its path to debuting at CIFF.
“The timing just had to be right for us to say ‘when,’ kind of like creating a dish. At some point you have to stop, you can’t just keep adding and adding,” Duffy told Secret Chicago.
Ever After tells an inspiring tale of perseverance, creative integrity, and renewal.
“I think a lot of us feel at certain points in life we’re ready to throw in the towel,” said director Frankie Nasso. “Here’s a man that has never given up no matter what, and I just respect that so much about him.”
View screening times and tickets here.
Ana the Cleaner
Ana is a Ukrainian immigrant and true crime podcast fanatic. She spends her days working as a cleaner for some of Chicago’s wealthiest residents and quietly observing their habits.
The disappearance of a client’s wife throws Ana into a whirlwind amateur investigation as she sets out to solve what she believes is the perfect crime.
The feature debut of director Guy Bauer, Ana the Cleaner is a Windy City-set film that’s equal parts thriller and poignant commentary on a “culture obsessed with true crime.”
View screening times and tickets here.
Trash Mountain
Gavin has found a new sense of community within Chicago’s LGBTQ and comedy scenes, following a stifling upbringing in rural Missouri.
After the death of his hoarder father, Gavin is tasked with returning to his conservative hometown to organize his dad’s belongings. While there, he must also confront the ghosts of his past.
Trash Mountain stars formerly Chicago-based comedian Caleb Hearon and actress Zooey Deschanel in an emotionally driven coming-of-age story. The film comes from Chicago-based director Kris Rey.
Viewers can expect to laugh and shed a few tears in this exploration of family, self-actualization, and Midwestern life.
View screening times and tickets here.
View the full CIFF schedule, purchase tickets, and learn more here.
