FESTIVAL COVERAGE: Second year of the drive-in program of the 57th Chicago International Film Festival

Image courtesy of Cinema/Chicago

Image courtesy of Cinema/Chicago

Last year’s Drive-In offerings for the 56th Chicago International Film Festival were a big success at the ChiTown Movies location in the Pilsen neighborhood. Continuing that success, the Drive-In program has returned with its classic format for the upcoming 57th Chicago International Film Festival. Five drive-in features will be presented at 2343 South Throop Street. Tickets to the Chicago International Film Festival drive-in screenings, and the full program and drive-in schedule are available online now. 

Image courtesy of Cinema/Chicago

Image courtesy of Cinema/Chicago

This year’s Drive-In series begins with the documentary The Velvet Underground. It plays on Opening Night, Wednesday, October 13, 2021. The event features a virtual Q&A with director Todd Haynes after the feature. Consider that appointment viewing for fans of Haynes and his approachability with his films.

The other four selections in prestige and excitement in plenty of places. One of them is the star-studded Netflix western The Harder They Fall starring Idris Elba, Jonathan Majors, Regina King, Zazie Beetz, LaKeith Stanfield, and Delroy Lindo. The western screens on Saturday, October 16. 

Other selections include:

  • Michael Pearce’s thriller Encounter starring Oscar winner Octavia Spencer and Oscar nominee Riz Ahmed

  • Antlers, the new film combining the creative talents of The Shape of Water’s Guillermo del Toro and Hostiles, Into the Furnace, and Crazy Heart director Scott Cooper

  • A late-night presentation of indie coming-of-age occult horror hit Hellbender 

Drive-in audiences at every screening will receive alcohol-free Heineken 0.0 beer. For an extra perk, Dark Matter Coffee will be on hand at the drive-in screenings of The Velvet Underground, Antlers, and Encounter distributing cans of their new Director’s Cut Cold Brew, part of a first-ever partnership between the Chicago coffee company and the Festival.

For more information on these drive-in selections for any of the offerings of the 57th Chicago International Film Festival, visit the festival website. Festival Passes are on sale now, with individual tickets available for the general public on its purchasing website. Bring your car and a stash of your own snacks and enjoy!

About the Chicago International Film Festival

Celebrating its 57th edition October 13 - 24, 2021, the Chicago International Film Festival is North America's longest-running competitive international film festival. Showcasing the best in international and independent films from around the world, the 57th edition will be held in person and virtually. From dramas and thrillers to documentaries and comedies, the Festival presents a vast diversity of offerings, featuring competitive categories and programs including the 25th anniversary of Black Perspectives; Cinemas of the Americas; International Comedy; Women in Cinema; OutLook; After Dark; and the City & State program, showcasing films made in Chicago and throughout Illinois.

Facebook: facebook.com/chicagofilmfestival/

Twitter: @ChiFilmFest

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Image courtesy of Cinema/Chicago

Image courtesy of Cinema/Chicago