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Beyond Fest Sets First Chicago Edition at Music Box Theatre for April 2–5, 2026

Submissions are open on FilmFreeway with a spotlight on Chicago and Great Lakes filmmakers.

Overview

  • Organizers announced the festival’s first move beyond Los Angeles, bringing the brand to Chicago next spring.
  • The edition will take place entirely at the Music Box Theatre, the independently owned 1929 venue in Lakeview known for cult and midnight programming.
  • Entries are being accepted via FilmFreeway, with special outreach to artists from Chicago, the Midwest, and the Great Lakes.
  • Organizers describe plans for high-energy premieres, repertory screenings, and late-night discoveries tailored to communal big-screen experiences.
  • Details on the lineup, guests, and special events will follow in 2026 after a 2025 Los Angeles run that drew more than 30,000 attendees and 95 features.