Beyond Fest expands from LA to Chicago with inaugural April 2026 edition
30 features including world premieres and archival restorations at Music Box Theatre
Notable guests include Bob Odenkirk, RZA, and Lilly Wachowski
Free films sponsored by MUBI emphasize global artistry and unexpected craft
📖 Full Retelling
Beyond Fest, the acclaimed Los Angeles genre film festival now the largest of its kind in the United States, has announced programming details for its inaugural Chicago edition at the Music Box Theatre from April 2-5, 2026. The expansion brings the festival's signature anything-goes programming to Windy City audiences, featuring 30 films including world premieres, archival restorations, and unique screening opportunities with special guests. Opening night will showcase Curry Barker's supernatural sensation 'Obsession,' which premiered to critical praise at TIFF last year, while closing night will feature the world premiere of Daniel Goldhaber's 'Faces of Death,' presented in 35mm and starring Barbie Ferreira. The Chicago edition maintains the eclectic mix of contemporary mayhem and cult favorites that defines the Los Angeles festival while offering a more concentrated lineup that still delivers a powerful punch for genre enthusiasts.
🏷️ Themes
Film Festivals, Genre Cinema, Chicago Arts Scene, Film Preservation
The Chicago International Film Festival is an annual film festival held every fall. Founded in 1964 by filmmaker and graphic artist Michael Kutza, it is the longest-running competitive film festival in North America.
The Festival has a rich history of discovering and showcasing ground-breaking direc...
Beyond Fest is the largest genre film festival in the United States, held annually in Los Angeles, California. Established in partnership with the American Cinematheque, Beyond Fest focuses on showcasing horror, science fiction, fantasy, and other genre films. The festival features a diverse range o...
The Music Box Theatre is a Broadway theater at 239 West 45th Street (George Abbott Way) in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City, New York, U.S. Opened in 1921, the Music Box Theatre was designed by C. Howard Crane in a Palladian-inspired style and was constructed for Irving Ber...
