Chicago Gears Up for Reeling 2025: A Cosmic Kick-Off to Queer Cinema
Thu. September 18, 2025 6:43 PM by GoPride.com News Staff
https://reelingfilmfest.org/
photo credit // https://reelingfilmfest.org/
Chicago -
This Friday, September 19, film lovers, LGBTQ+ creators, and curious cinephiles will converge at the Landmark Theatre to launch Reeling 2025, the 43rd Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival. The opening night promises more than just film. After the 7 PM screening of the animated feature Lesbian Space Princess, attendees are invited to stay for a themed party under the stars (or at least in space costumes), where the intergalactic meets the intimate in queer storytelling.
The party ticket (or bundled screening + party ticket) costs $55 and includes the film, two drinks and food. Organizers are strongly encouraging revelers to don space suits, alien costumes, and other out-of-this-world garb. Reeling’s motto for opening night? "Where we’re going (gay space), we don’t need roads." A fitting start to a festival whose mission is to transport audience and artist alike into queer worlds both familiar and unknown.
Get tickets to the Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival.
A Festival with History & Purpose
Reeling is the second longest-running festival of its kind in the United States, dedicated to showcasing a broad spectrum of queer cinema - international narratives, documentaries, shorts, local voices - under the umbrella of visibility and creative expression. The festival is produced by Chicago Filmmakers, a nonprofit media arts organization that offers not only exhibition opportunities but educational programs, workforce training, and other resources for emerging and established filmmakers.
Highlight Films to Watch
While the full schedule includes dozens of films, here are a few particularly notable selections:
- Lesbian Space Princess – Opening film, an animated, adult-oriented joyride blending sapphic romance, cosmic visuals, and sharp commentary.
- It's Dorothy! – A documentary centerpiece revisiting the legacy of The Wizard of Oz, exploring Dorothy’s cultural resonance through archival materials and interviews with actors, artists, and icon-makers who have kept her alive in queer imagination.
- She's the He – A narrative comedy from first-time director Siobhan McCarthy: in a late high school setting, two best friends pretend to be trans girls to quash rumors and pursue crushes, only to find their assumed joke takes unexpected turns toward identity and self-discovery.
These are just a few examples of the mix of documentary, narrative, satire, and heartfelt storytelling that the festival has built its reputation on.
How to Get Tickets & Passes
For those wanting full access, passes are available via the Reeling 2025 site. Buying a pass or ticket is easy through their Eventive platform: visit Passes & Tickets on ReelingFilmFest.org to purchase. Whether you only plan to come for the opening night party and film, or want to attend multiple screenings across the festival’s run, there are options for single film tickets and multi-day or full festival passes.
Why It Matters
Reeling isn't just a film festival; it’s a cultural meeting ground. It brings into focus communities that are too often marginalized; whether by film industries that overlook queer stories, or audiences that rarely see themselves mirrored on screen. With its long history, Reeling has become a space for dialogue, for laughter, for tears, for identity affirmed and challenged. It supports filmmakers and gives local talent the spotlight, while drawing in international works that broaden the conversation.
As Chicago braces for a week of film, festivity, and fierce storytelling, opening night’s cosmic theme may be just the right metaphor: in queer cinema, the future is vast, bright, and full of possibility.
Opening Night Details
When: Friday, September 19, 7:00 PM (screening), followed by party
Where: Landmark Theatre, Chicago
Cost: $55 for screening + party, includes two drinks & food. Costumes encouraged.
Chicago's Reeling 2025 promises to be a journey; interstellar in imagination, intimate in feeling. If you’ve ever wanted to see your stories on screen, or simply want to be moved by what others bring to light, this festival is not to be missed.
The party ticket (or bundled screening + party ticket) costs $55 and includes the film, two drinks and food. Organizers are strongly encouraging revelers to don space suits, alien costumes, and other out-of-this-world garb. Reeling’s motto for opening night? "Where we’re going (gay space), we don’t need roads." A fitting start to a festival whose mission is to transport audience and artist alike into queer worlds both familiar and unknown.
Get tickets to the Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival.
A Festival with History & Purpose
Reeling is the second longest-running festival of its kind in the United States, dedicated to showcasing a broad spectrum of queer cinema - international narratives, documentaries, shorts, local voices - under the umbrella of visibility and creative expression. The festival is produced by Chicago Filmmakers, a nonprofit media arts organization that offers not only exhibition opportunities but educational programs, workforce training, and other resources for emerging and established filmmakers.
Highlight Films to Watch
While the full schedule includes dozens of films, here are a few particularly notable selections:
- Lesbian Space Princess – Opening film, an animated, adult-oriented joyride blending sapphic romance, cosmic visuals, and sharp commentary.
- It's Dorothy! – A documentary centerpiece revisiting the legacy of The Wizard of Oz, exploring Dorothy’s cultural resonance through archival materials and interviews with actors, artists, and icon-makers who have kept her alive in queer imagination.
- She's the He – A narrative comedy from first-time director Siobhan McCarthy: in a late high school setting, two best friends pretend to be trans girls to quash rumors and pursue crushes, only to find their assumed joke takes unexpected turns toward identity and self-discovery.
These are just a few examples of the mix of documentary, narrative, satire, and heartfelt storytelling that the festival has built its reputation on.
How to Get Tickets & Passes
For those wanting full access, passes are available via the Reeling 2025 site. Buying a pass or ticket is easy through their Eventive platform: visit Passes & Tickets on ReelingFilmFest.org to purchase. Whether you only plan to come for the opening night party and film, or want to attend multiple screenings across the festival’s run, there are options for single film tickets and multi-day or full festival passes.
Why It Matters
Reeling isn't just a film festival; it’s a cultural meeting ground. It brings into focus communities that are too often marginalized; whether by film industries that overlook queer stories, or audiences that rarely see themselves mirrored on screen. With its long history, Reeling has become a space for dialogue, for laughter, for tears, for identity affirmed and challenged. It supports filmmakers and gives local talent the spotlight, while drawing in international works that broaden the conversation.
As Chicago braces for a week of film, festivity, and fierce storytelling, opening night’s cosmic theme may be just the right metaphor: in queer cinema, the future is vast, bright, and full of possibility.
Opening Night Details
When: Friday, September 19, 7:00 PM (screening), followed by party
Where: Landmark Theatre, Chicago
Cost: $55 for screening + party, includes two drinks & food. Costumes encouraged.
Chicago's Reeling 2025 promises to be a journey; interstellar in imagination, intimate in feeling. If you’ve ever wanted to see your stories on screen, or simply want to be moved by what others bring to light, this festival is not to be missed.