Dare to Dream Film Festival
Description
Dare to Dream Film Festival is a new Chicago film festival celebrating bold independent filmmaking and the voices shaping the future of cinema.
Join us October 21 at the historic Davis Theater in Lincoln Square for an unforgettable night of 11 original short films from Chicago, across the U.S., and around the world. Expect films that surprise you, move you, challenge you, and stay with you long after the lights come up.
Walk the red carpet. Get your festival photo. Meet filmmakers and fellow creatives. Enjoy a tarot reading, discover local businesses, and enter to win prizes throughout the night. And, of course, celebrate the filmmakers who dared to make something of their own.
Dare to Dream intentionally creates space for voices too often overlooked by the film industry, including LGBTQ+, BIPOC, neurodivergent, disabled, and women filmmakers. A portion of festival proceeds will also support Organized Communities Against Deportations (OCAD), a Chicago organization supporting immigrant communities.
Follow us on IG for updates and to meet the filmmakers before the festival!
Discover the next generation of filmmakers. Leave inspired to tell your own story.
Schedule
6PM Doors Open & Interactive Networking Activities
6:30PM Films Start
8:00PM Meet the Dreamers Q&A, Raffle Prizes, and Award Ceremony
9:00PM Closing
We are committed to equitable access. Attendees with disabilities or financial barriers may request a submission discount or fee waiver by emailing daretodreamfest@gmail.com with the subject Discount Code.
Questions? Email daretodreamfest@gmail.com
FAQs
- What comes with VIP tickets?
Physical Step and Repeat Photograph to Take Home
Festival Poster Signed By Selected Filmmakers
10 Tickets for Raffle Prizes
Thank-you credit in festival program/website
Reserved premium seating
- How do I submit my film?
We are taking submissions until August 31. Please submit your film on FilmFreeway here.
- Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?
Age 13+, anybody 13 and under due to the content (swearing, graphics) in films must be accompanied by an adult
- Accessibility
The Davis Theater meets ADA standards for accessible seating and has multiple spaces specifically designed for wheelchairs and include features such as an accessible approach, location at grade, clear floor space, and larger dimensions. The male and female restrooms each have a single accessible stall. We also have two private, accessible, gender-neutral bathrooms.
Theater 2 has eight designated spaces for wheelchairs and mobility devices, while Theaters 1 & 3 have four of the same designated spaces.
We have eight closed caption devices that can toggle through various languages, as well as wireless headsets with capabilities to play Hearing Impaired and Visually Impaired audio tracks. These accessibility features are available depending on what is provided to us by the film’s distributor on a title by title basis, visit the main page of the film in question to see which features (if any) are available.
- What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?
Davis Theater is surrounded by Street Parking, Lots & Stations
● Western Avenue Brown Line Stop
● CTA Bus Lines 11, 49, 49B, 81
● Metered City Parking Lot #70
● Metered City Parking Lot #71
● Metered City Park Lot #48
All transit locations are within 2 blocks of the theater and are easily walking distance.
- How can I stay updated about the festival?
Please follow us on IG for BTS, to learn more about the films, and the filmmakers!
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
