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Reeling: Chicago's LGBTQ International Film Festival Announces Opening And Centerpiece Titles For 43rd Edition
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The following is a press release from EDGE OUTreach partner REELING
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Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival today revealed a peek at this year’s program with the announcement of the Opening Night and Centerpiece Films for the 43rd annual film festival, running in person September 19 - 28, 2025. This year’s Opening Night and Centerpiece presentations screen at the Landmark Century Centre Cinemas (2828 N. Clark St.); for the full slate of programs and screening schedules, and to purchase tickets online, visit www.reelingfilmfest.org starting Monday, August 11, 2025.
On September 19, Opening Night sees audiences strap in for a cosmic quest with directors Emma Hough Hobbs and Leela Varghese’s LESBIAN SPACE PRINCESS, the first animated film to open Reeling. Filled with endless sapphic jokes, addictive pop songs, and candy-colored animation, introverted princess Saria ventures out of her bedroom into the unknown to rescue her kidnapped girlfriend Kiki.
This year’s Narrative Centerpiece turns gender-swap comedy conventions inside out in first-time director Siobhan McCarthy’s SXSW breakout SHE’S THE HE, a hilarious, heartfelt teen satire following two best friends who pretend to be trans girls during their last week of high school, shaking up everything from graduation to their friendship. With an almost entirely queer, trans, and nonbinary cast and crew, the biting satire and sincere coming-of-age film unspools Thursday, September 25.
Documentary Centerpiece IT’S DOROTHY! tells the story of Oz through the women who’ve played its iconic heroine. Ever since Dorothy Gale started her epic journey on the Yellow Brick Road more than a century ago in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, she’s become a celebrity, a brand, and a beacon for marginalized voices across our culture. IT’S DOROTHY! brings to life her timeless adventures in Oz with those who’ve portrayed her from Judy Garland to Shanice Shantay, and the cultural icons who she’s inspired to hope and to dream, including John Waters, Lena Waithe, and Rufus Wainwright. With a magical remix of archival and cinematic art, director Jeffrey McHale presents an insightful look at a queer cultural touchstone, screening September 21.
Ticketing Information
Tickets are available online at www.reelingfilmfest.org beginning August 11, or at the theater’s box office on the day of the screening. Tickets are $15 ($12 for members) for regular screenings at Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema and Chicago Filmmakers Firehouse Cinema, with the opening night film $18 for the film only ($15 for members) or $55 for the film and after party ($50 for members). Passes are also available for purchase, and members receive discounts on tickets and passes.
ABOUT REELING: THE CHICAGO LGBTQ+ INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Reeling is the second longest-running film festival of its kind, showcasing a wide range of queer cinema — from international and local narrative features to documentaries and shorts. Reeling is a production of Chicago Filmmakers , a 50+ year-old not-for-profit media arts organization that supports independent filmmakers through education, funding, workforce training, equipment access and other services and resources. Chicago Filmmakers provides film lovers with fresh and compelling work through regular screenings as well as two festivals: Reeling and The Onion City Experimental Film Festival.
