60th Chicago International Film Festival (2024): International Feature Competition Highlights

The Chicago International Film Festival is gearing up for its 60th edition with an exciting lineup of global cinema, running from October 16 to 27, 2024. This year’s competition slate promises a wide array of international storytelling, with films spanning from Azerbaijan to Brazil, Japan to Tunisia, all competing for the festival’s prestigious Gold Hugo awards. The films are set to debut across multiple categories: International Feature, International Documentary, and New Directors, along with entries for the OutLook and Shorts competitions.

A remarkable 30 feature films are making their North American or U.S. premieres, with three world premieres adding to the anticipation. Some filmmakers are no strangers to Chicago, returning to the festival after prior successes, like Péter Kerekes, whose film 107 Mothers earned him the Silver Hugo for Best Director in 2020, and documentary powerhouse Joshua Oppenheimer.

Among the festival’s top-tier International Feature Competition, several standout titles have already made waves at Cannes, including All We Imagine As Light, the Grand Prix winner, and Grand Tour, directed by Miguel Gomes, which earned Best Director at the same prestigious festival. Meanwhile, Rungano Nyoni’s On Becoming a Guinea Fowl, another Cannes darling, will make its way to Chicago after its Un Certain Regard Best Director win. Mohammad Rasoulof’s latest film The Seed of the Sacred Fig is also in the mix, adding to a lineup that highlights some of the year’s most critically acclaimed filmmakers.

With a diverse array of stories, such as the visually arresting The Quiet Son Jouer avec le feu from France or the world premiere of Brazil’s Suçuarana, this year’s competition is set to be an extraordinary showcase of global cinema. Other highlights include Vermiglio by Maura Delpero, Super Happy Forever by Kohei Igarashi, and Transamazonia by Pia Marais, each offering unique perspectives and cinematic artistry.

Opening Night will kick off with a special presentation of The Piano Lesson, with early bird tickets already on sale.

For cinephiles, it’s time to mark the calendar. The Chicago International Film Festival has always been a cinematic celebration, but this year’s milestone 60th edition is shaping up to be something special, with bold films and visionary directors setting the stage for an unforgettable experience.

The International Feature Competition at the 60th Chicago International Film Festival (2024) promises to be a powerful showcase of global cinema, featuring a diverse collection of films that span continents, cultures, and genres. From introspective dramas to visually striking explorations, this year’s selection includes world premieres, North American debuts, and award-winning films from some of the most exciting voices in contemporary cinema.

Here’s a look at the films competing for the coveted Gold Hugo in the International Feature category:

• All We Imagine As Light
  Dir. Payal Kapadia (France, India, The Netherlands, Luxembourg)
• The End
  Dir. Joshua Oppenheimer (Ireland, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, U.K.)
• Grand Tour
  Dir. Miguel Gomes (Portugal, Italy, France, Germany, Japan, China)
• Harvest
  Dir. Athina Rachel Tsangari (U.K., Germany, Greece, France, U.S.)
• On Becoming a Guinea Fowl
  Dir. Rungano Nyoni (Zambia, U.K., Ireland)
• The Quiet Son Jouer avec le feu
  Dirs. Delphine Coulin, Muriel Coulin (France, North American Premiere)
• The Seed of the Sacred Fig
  Dir. Mohammad Rasoulof (Iran, France, Germany)
• The Sparrow in the Chimney
  Dir. Ramon Zürcher (Switzerland, U.S. Premiere)
• Suçuarana
  Dirs. Clarissa Campolina, Sérgio Borges (Brazil, World Premiere)
• Super Happy Forever
  Dir. Kohei Igarashi (France, Japan, U.S. Premiere)
• Transamazonia
  Dir. Pia Marais (France, Germany, Switzerland, Taiwan, Brazil)
• Vermiglio
  Dir. Maura Delpero (Italy, France, Belgium)

• When the Light Breaks (Ljósbrot)
  Dir. Rúnar Rúnarsson (Iceland, Netherlands, Croatia, France, U.S. Premiere)