Festival News - Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival

Festival News

A collection of 38 posts

Introducing BWiFFdocs

In 2026, the Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival will be taking a break from hosting its traditional festival to focus on exhibiting a collection of short and feature-length documentary films with BWiFFdocs. Following the festival's mission, the programming team for this special event will continue to seek out

Never Not Yours (Still)

Complete List of 2025 Blue Glass Award Winners

The 2025 Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival has come to close after screening 32 films selected for exhibition and competition at a variety of Chicagoland area venues. The Shorts and Features competition was held at the Classic Cinemas Elk Grove XQ in Elk Grove Village from April 27-29 and May

Operations Director Jonathan C. Legat outside the Classic Cinemas Elk Grove XQ

2025 Official Selections Announced

The Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival is thrilled to announce the 32 short and feature-length films that have been officially selected for exhibition and competition at the 2025 festival this Spring. Films selected for the Shorts, Features, and Beyond competitions will be presented from April 27 - May 13. "

BWiFF 2010 Ampersand Apparel

15th Anniversary Ampersand Apparel Now Available

In celebration of our 15th film festival this Spring, we're excited to share our new anniversary apparel! Our "ampersand apparel" line includes a design for each season of the festival since our inaugural event in 2010.

Breakup Season (Still)

Complete List of 2024 Blue Glass Award Winners (Updated)

Over 30 films were selected for exhibition and/or competition at the 2024 Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival held at Classic Cinemas Elk Grove XQ in Elk Grove Village from April 14-23, 2024. Of those films, the top award-winner was narrative feature Breakup Season receiving 5 Blue Glass awards. BWiFF

Filmmaker Micere Keels during Q&A with Judge Libi Hake at BWiFF 2024

The Intimate Film Festival Experience

Do you crave intimate, engaging movie experiences that allow you to truly connect with the stories on the screen and the minds behind the magic? Explore how BWiFF is changing the game and redefining the film festival experience.

Filmmakers Antonella Spirito and Barnaby Spikings during Q&A with Judge Libi Hake at BWiFF 2024

Help Us Celebrate 15 Years of BWiFF

Individuals and businesses who donate $250+ will be recognized on the big screen for their contribution before every session at BWiFF 2025.

Still from 'Trying'

BWiFF 2024 Opens This Sunday at Classic Cinemas Elk Grove

The 14th Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival (BWiFF) opens at Classic Cinemas in Elk Grove Village on April 14, 2024.

Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival Tie Dye Tee with Light and Dark Blue Swirl

2024 Festival Apparel Store Open Through April 24

On Sunday, April 7, we launched our BWiFF 2024 apparel campaign through the festival's Bonfire store. The featured logo is a modified version of the 2020 campaign by graphic designer and illustrator Claire Cinquegrani. All apparel offered in the 2024 store feature material not previously offered. This season

Operations Director Jonathan C. Legat

2024 Official Selections Announced

The Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival is thrilled to announce the 48 short and feature-length films that have been officially selected for exhibition and competition. The traditional Shorts and Features Competitions will be presented in April over the course of seven days beginning April 14-23. The festival will be held

BWiFF 2024 Returns to Music Box Theatre in April

Since 2010, the Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival has presented each season in the summer months – most commonly in July. The 14th season will mark a big change as the festival moves to mid-Spring. "We have enjoyed presenting our last four festivals at Chicago Filmmakers," said Executive Director

Jonathan C. Legat at 2023 Official Selections Announcement on June 7, 2023

2023 Official Selections Announced

Out of hundreds of submissions, the Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival is pleased to announce the 34 short and feature-length films that have been officially selected for exhibition and competition. In addition to the traditional Shorts and Features Competitions, the festival introduced a new competition category this morning called the

Still Image from Patrick Read Johnson's '5-25-77'

Patrick Read Johnson's '5-25-77' Now Available On Demand

Patrick Read Johnson's long-awaited 5-25-77 has finally been released to the general public. Production began back in 2004 for Johnson's autobiographical passion project that follows a teenage Johnson growing up in rural Illinois, falling in love, and becoming the first fan of Star Wars: A New

Give to BWiFF on Giving Tuesday

BWiFF 2023 Giving Tuesday Fundraiser

Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival (BWiFF) could use your help this Giving Tuesday to make BWiFF 2023 our best year yet! Beginning November 29, BWiFF is asking supporters like you to consider making a donation as we approach the new year and our thirteenth annual film festival season next July.

Festival supporters Debralyn Lazarescu (left) and Hannah Chargin (right) in the photo booth at the Cheers to BWiFF 2017 Fundr

'A Toast to 2023' Fundraiser on November 11

BWiFF will host “A Toast to 2023,” a fundraiser for their 2023 season on Nov. 11 at Emmett’s Brewing Co. in Palatine. Guests are invited to enjoy appetizers, a photo booth, cash bar, raffles, and a silent auction.

Tricia Legat at 1919 Cinema Centennial

Experience Our 1922 Cinema Centennial at Music Box Theatre

Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival will present their 1922 Cinema Centennial program on Wednesday, September 28 at Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Avenue in Chicago. The celebration of films released one hundred years ago will begin at 7:00pm and include two shorts followed by a feature-length film. Each

Still from 'Come On Time'

Documentary Short ‘Come On Time’ Wins Top Honors at BWiFF 2022

Over 30 films were selected for exhibition and/or competition at the 2022 Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival held at Chicago Filmmakers, 1326 W. Hollywood Avenue in Chicago, from July 15-21. The 2022 festival exhibited ten feature films and twenty-one short films. Of the thirty-one official selections, there were sixteen

Still from 'Come On Time'

Complete List of 2022 Blue Glass Award Winners

Over 30 films were selected for exhibition and/or competition at the 2022 Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival held at Chicago Filmmakers in Chicago from July 15-21, 2022. Of those films, the top award-winners were narrative feature Sweet Disaster and documentary short Come On Time receiving 3 Blue Glass awards

Still from 'Nijari'

BWiFF 2022 Opens at Chicago Filmmakers This Friday

The 12th Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival (BWiFF) will be held at Chicago Filmmakers, 1326 W. Hollywood Avenue in Chicago, from July 15-21, 2022. The festival will exhibit nightly screenings of official selections beginning at 7:00pm – plus matinees on Saturday, July 16 and Sunday, July 17 at 3:00pm.

Crowd of Fans at Red Carpet Film Premiere

The Benefits of Sponsoring a Small Film Festival

Sponsoring a small film festival is an easy way to get in front of targeted customers without breaking the bank.

'A Chance Encounter' (2022) © Samuel Goldwyn Films

Complete List of 2021 Blue Glass Award Winners

Top 2021 award-winners include 'Coda 77,' 'Far Out West,' 'Ribblehead,' and 'Forgive Me, Father' with 2 awards each and narrative feature 'A Chance Encounter' (formerly 'Molto Bella') receiving 5 Blue Glass awards.

Nika Burnett and Alessandro Marino in 'Brindisi' (2020)

Complete List of 2020 Blue Glass Award Winners

Top 2020 award-winners include 'Five Years North,' 'Mug,' 'Teranga: Life in the Waiting Room,' and 'Woman of the Photographs' with 2 awards each and narrative feature 'Brindisi' receiving 5 Blue Glass awards.

'A Chance Encounter' (2022) © Samuel Goldwyn Films

Illinois Films in Spotlight at 2021 Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival

Blue Whiskey will present over 30 films with character-driven stories from around the globe during the in-person event, including seven outstanding indie films made by local Illinois filmmakers.

Nika Burnett and Alessandro Marino in 'Brindisi' (2020)

10th Annual BWiFF Opens July 16 at Chicago Filmmakers with In-Person Event

The tenth annual Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival (BWiFF) opens this weekend at Chicago Filmmakers, marking the start of a two-week long celebration of character-driven independent films.

Delia Kropp and Dustin Gooch in 'Landlocked' (2021)

Illinois Films Get a Nod as BWiFF Announces 2021 Official Selections

Out of hundreds of entries considered this year, the festival’s selection committee has chosen 34 films from 10 countries for exhibition during the in-person event. The line-up will feature seven outstanding indie films made by local Illinois filmmakers.