THE BIGGEST GENRE FESTIVAL IN THE U.S. HEADS TO THE WINDY CITY WITH CHICAGO’S PREEMINENT THEATRE IN APRIL 2026
Beyond Fest, the largest and most influential genre film festival in the United States, is thrilled to announce its first-ever geographical expansion, bringing its signature blend of cinematic chaos and celebration to the Windy City. In partnership with the legendary Music Box Theatre, Beyond Fest: Chicago will take place from April 2 to 5, 2026, transforming the historic venue into a four-day spectacle of horror, sci-fi, action, and cult cinema. The event promises the same “all-killer-no-filler” energy that has made Beyond Fest a must-attend destination for filmmakers, fans, and industry insiders alike.
“Since inception, Beyond Fest has existed in service of film fans and filmmakers that are obsessively passionate about film,” said Christian Parkes, Beyond Fest founder. “This passion isn’t something that resides exclusively in Los Angeles; for decades, Music Box Theatre has fostered and entertained some of the best audiences in the world. It’s going to be electric, having our worlds collide.”
Submissions for Beyond Fest Chicago 2026 are officially open via FilmFreeway, welcoming visionary creators from around the world, with a special call to filmmakers from Chicago, the Midwest, and the Great Lakes region. From boundary-pushing horror and underground thrillers to bold new voices redefining genre storytelling, Beyond Fest invites artists to showcase their most daring and original work before one of the most enthusiastic film communities in the country. This expansion marks a major milestone for Beyond Fest, uniting two powerhouse institutions, the Los Angeles-based festival and Chicago’s beloved Music Box Theatre, in a shared mission to celebrate the weird, the wild, and the wonderful world of genre cinema.
Beyond Chicago is presented by Beyond Fest and the Music Box Theatre, combining their shared mission to preserve, celebrate, and advance the cinematic arts.
Filmmakers can submit their work now via FilmFreeway
(https://filmfreeway.com/BeyondFestChicago). The full lineup, guests, and special events will be announced in 2026.
For more information, visit beyondfest.com and musicboxtheatre.com
