Onion City Experimental Film Festival 2027: Late Entries Open Until 19 November
A historic Chicago experimental cinema festival
Chicago Filmmakers is accepting submissions for the 37th Onion City Experimental Film Festival taking place 8–11 April 2027 in Chicago. The regular deadline of 22 October 2026 has already passed. As of 23 October, entries are still accepted during the late application period through 19 November 2026. Experimental documentary, fiction, non-narrative, film-based and digital moving-image projects are all plausible candidates.
Onion City began with Chicago's Experimental Film Coalition in the 1980s. Chicago Filmmakers took over organising the festival in 2001, broadening its programming from celluloid to video, while continuing to show adventurous work by filmmakers from different countries.
Current fee: do not use the expired regular-rate price
The FilmFreeway listing states a late/extended deadline fee of US$35 for the first entry, or US$30 for eligible students; each additional entry by the same filmmaker costs US$15. The previously advertised US$30 regular fee and US$25 early-bird fee refer to earlier periods, not the current late submission window. FilmFreeway Gold pricing, if relevant, is separately shown at checkout.
One part of the provider's metadata still uses the label 'Onion City 2026' although the festival's official site explicitly invites films for its 37th 2027 edition. Confirm that the online category and final fee refer to the intended 2027 presentation before paying. No submission or selection guarantees a cash prize or a travel budget.
Eligible projects and screening deliverables
The current platform rules accept experimental work completed between 2023 and 2027. There is no universal maximum length, though film categories separate short works under 50 minutes from feature-length works of 50 minutes or more. A Chicago premiere is preferred, but is not always required. Applicants supply an online preview screener through FilmFreeway or a password-protected Vimeo-type streaming link.
If accepted, films may need an exhibition DCP, MP4/MOV file or 16mm film copy. Films without English dialogue need appropriate English subtitles, and any separate caption files must meet the specified formats. Before entering, obtain rights for archival footage, performers, music, voices, trademarks and software assets in the submitted work.
Festival relevance and application checklist
The organiser presents a curated programme of international contemporary experimental works, usually including short programmes, guest screenings and discussions in Chicago venues. A filmmaker should not confuse submission to Onion City with Chicago Filmmakers' unrelated production-assistant job training, film-making courses, or the Reeling festival.
Apply through the festival's original website link to FilmFreeway, save receipts and check its provisions on promotional clips, potential withdrawals and video availability. The local time zone should be confirmed from the submission platform instead of assuming the cutoff is midnight in the applicant's country.
Official organiser and application
Official rules checked as of 23 October 2026. Confirm costs, eligibility, country restrictions, legal terms, and deadlines directly with the organiser before entering.