The Chicago International Film Festival concluded its 60th annual celebration on Sunday, October 27, 2024, by honoring legendary director and Chicago native Robert Zemeckis with the Founder’s Legacy Award. Festival founder Michael Kutza presented the award at the Music Box Theatre during the festival’s Closing Night, which featured a special screening of Zemeckis’ latest film, Here.
Here, which had its theatrical release Nov. 1, 2024, reunites Forrest Gump director Zemeckis, writer Eric Roth, and stars Tom Hanks and Robin Wright. Based on Richard McGuire’s acclaimed graphic novel, Here tells the interwoven stories of multiple families inhabiting a single, special place across generations, capturing universal themes of love, loss, laughter, and life itself. The film also stars Paul Bettany, Kelly Reilly, and Michelle Dockery, with Zemeckis, Derek Hogue, Jack Rapke, and Bill Block as producers.
“The Chicago International Film Festival has had the great honor of showcasing Robert Zemeckis’s impeccably crafted, beautifully expressed films for more than 50 years,” said Chicago International Film Festival Artistic Director Mimi Plauché. “With HERE, he continues his tradition of telling deeply moving, human stories, masterfully employing cutting-edge technologies to elevate the art form while creating some of the American cinema’s most iconic movies.”
In Case You Missed It: Standout Festival Films
Running from October 16-27, the 2024 Chicago International Film Festival showcased 122 feature films and 71 shorts in theaters nationwide. Among the highlights were The Piano Lesson, Vermiglio, and All We Imagine As Light.
The Piano Lesson, directed by Malcolm Washington and written by Chicago native Virgil Williams, stars Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Potts, and Ray Risher. Based on August Wilson’s 1987 play, it follows a brother and sister who reunite to settle the fate of a family heirloom piano, bridging two decades between Mississippi and Philadelphia.
Vermiglio, directed by Maura Delpero, earned the Gold Hugo for Best Film. Set in the final days of WWII, this Italian Alps drama captures a young woman’s journey through family struggles, celebrating resilience and joy in the face of hardship.
All We Imagine As Light, directed by Payal Kapadia, won the Silver Hugo Jury Prize. This multigenerational story centers on two roommates at a city hospital, navigating life’s boundaries through friendship and sisterhood.
Audience Awards
As the festival concluded, Audience Award winners were announced across four categories: U.S. Feature, International Feature, Documentary, and Short Film.
- U.S. Feature: Color Book by David Fortune follows Lucky, a single father on a journey with his young son, who has Down syndrome, to his first baseball game, testing his resilience and patience.
- International Feature: Long Good Thursday, a Finnish film by Mika Kaurismäki, explores the humor and warmth in aging, revealing the joy in rediscovering life.
- Documentary: The Light of Truth: Richard Hunt’s Monument to Ida B. Wells, directed by Rana Segal, celebrates the legacy of artist Richard Hunt and anti-lynching activist Ida B. Wells, two figures who fought tirelessly for freedom and justice.
- Short Film: Hoofs on Skates by Ignas Meilūnas tells the whimsical tale of two friends who uncover a mystery beneath the ice of a frozen lake.
Notable Honorees
Mike Myers received the Career Achievement Award for his work in comedy, from Austin Powers to Wayne’s World. Saturday Night Live producer Lorne Michaels discovered Myers at Chicago comedy hub The Second City, and the rest is history.
André Holland, recipient of the Black Perspectives Artistic Achievement Award, has brought depth to roles from Moonlight to Selma. Holland currently stars in Apple’s limited series The Big Cigar, portraying the journey of Huey P. Newton, Black Panther Party founder.
How to Help
The Chicago International Film Festival and various programs flourish under the auspices of Cinema/Chicago — a nonprofit cultural and educational organization dedicated to bridging the gap between people of diverse cultures and access to the art of film.
Be part of a community of supporters who believe in the power of cinema and the arts to make a difference that resonates long after the credits roll. All donations will support Cinema/Chicago’s public and education programs: Chicago International Film Festival, Summer Screenings, Community Cinema, CineYouth Festival, Chicago Industry Exchange Lab (CIX: Lab), and Accessibility at the Festival.
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Jessica Braun Gervais is a Chicago-based freelance writer specializing in health, wellness, and fitness. She earned a B.A. in Journalism from Columbia College and has written content for various health and wellness institutions. Jessica Braun’s passion for wellness comes from her life as an elite athlete competing in Muay Thai kickboxing competitions across the country. In addition to sharing her expertise through writing, Jessica Braun also works as a group fitness instructor and personal trainer. When she’s not writing or training, Jessica Braun enjoys reading historical fiction novels, discovering new coffee shops, and cuddling with her cattle dog, Brady.
