Chicago Film Critics Association: Awards, Festival & Membership

Updated for 2026–27. Originally published October 15, 2022.

The Chicago Film Critics Association (CFCA) is a nonprofit professional organization for film critics whose work has a Chicago presence. Its members work across print, online, broadcast and other media, and the association oversees the annual Chicago Film Critics Association Awards, the Chicago Critics Film Festival, critic roundtables, professional initiatives and programs supporting emerging critics.

Chicago Film Critics Association at a Glance

• Founded: 1990 by film critic Sue Kiner, following the launch of the Chicago Film Critics Awards in 1989
• Status: Tax-exempt nonprofit with 501(c)(3) status
• 2026–27 membership: More than 50 critics representing local, regional and national media outlets
• President: Brian Tallerico
• Major programs: CFCA Awards, Chicago Critics Film Festival, critic roundtables and the CFCA/Rotten Tomatoes Emerging Critics Program

What Does the Chicago Film Critics Association Do?

CFCA combines professional film criticism with awards, public programming, education and industry advocacy. Its principal activities include:

• Chicago Film Critics Association Awards: Annual honors recognizing films, performances, filmmakers and crafts.
• Chicago Critics Film Festival: A film festival programmed by CFCA members.
• Critic Roundtables: Informal gatherings at colleges and universities intended to encourage public discussion about film and criticism.
• Industry and rights issues: The association may take positions on issues affecting film, criticism and artists’ rights.
• Emerging-critic support: Programs developed with Rotten Tomatoes provide grants, mentoring and professional opportunities to early-career critics.

Chicago Film Critics Association Awards

The Chicago Film Critics Awards began in 1989, one year before the association itself was founded. CFCA members vote annually on honors including Best Picture, Director, acting categories, screenwriting, cinematography and other achievements, along with awards recognizing emerging performers and filmmakers.

For the 2026 awards, CFCA has announced that nominations will be revealed on December 8, 2026, with winners announced on December 10, 2026. For current nominees, winners and announcements, visit the official CFCA site.

Chicago Critics Film Festival

CFCA founded the Chicago Critics Film Festival in 2013. The festival is programmed by film critics and presents a mix of festival favorites, Chicago premieres, undistributed work, repertory screenings and filmmaker appearances.

The 2026 Chicago Critics Film Festival ran May 1–7 at the Music Box Theatre. Its program included more than 20 feature films, shorts programs and visiting filmmakers and performers. CFCA has announced that the next festival will take place April 30–May 6, 2027.

CFCA & Rotten Tomatoes Emerging Critics Program

The CFCA & Rotten Tomatoes Emerging Critics Program supports up-and-coming film and media critics in the Chicago region. The program is open to college and graduate students as well as other early-career writers and critics who meet the published eligibility requirements.

For 2026, two recipients were selected. Each received a $2,500 grant, access to the Chicago Critics Film Festival, mentoring opportunities with CFCA members and an opportunity to pitch story ideas to Rotten Tomatoes editorial staff. Because application dates and requirements change, prospective applicants should use CFCA’s official program page for the next application cycle rather than relying on an older application form.

CFCA’s Mission and Approach to Film Criticism

CFCA describes film criticism as an evolving conversation that changes alongside cinema, media and the ways audiences experience film. Its ethics and inclusion policies emphasize professional integrity, civil discourse and support for diverse critical voices.

The association also expects members to follow professional standards when handling screeners, restricted media and other materials provided for review. Current ethics and professional guidelines are available through CFCA’s official site.

How to Join the Chicago Film Critics Association

CFCA membership is intended for professional film critics whose work has a Chicago presence. The association’s current requirements emphasize substantive film criticism and an ongoing body of work rather than interviews, capsule descriptions or material without critical assessment.

Current membership requirements include:

• Applicants must be recognized as professional film critics associated with qualifying media work that has a Chicago presence.
• Applicants must provide film criticism rather than only interviews, capsule descriptions or other work without critical assessment.
• Applicants must demonstrate an ongoing body of published, broadcast or otherwise qualifying critical work.
• CFCA’s detailed member requirements state that candidates must have served at least six months in their current positions.
• Applicants must meet CFCA’s Chicago-area requirements. Its detailed member page defines the area as Cook County, the collar counties and part of Northwest Indiana.
• Educational publications and broadcast outlets, including college and high-school outlets, are not eligible.
• Members cannot simultaneously belong to another Chicago-market film critics organization. Membership in national critics organizations is permitted.
• New applicants must provide confirmation from an editor that they serve as a film critic for the outlet listed on the application. CFCA states that this requirement also applies to critics who serve as their own editor.
• Members must agree to follow CFCA’s ethics policy.

CFCA’s most recently published application cycle listed annual dues of $75. Fees, deadlines and procedures can change, so applicants should verify the current amount directly with CFCA.

For the current application, deadlines and instructions, use the official CFCA Membership page. This is preferable to linking directly to a Google Form, which may change between application cycles.

CFCA Membership and Professional Conduct

Membership includes professional responsibilities as well as eligibility requirements. Members are expected to maintain the quality and integrity of their criticism, follow CFCA’s ethics policy and protect restricted screeners and other media entrusted to them. Unauthorized copying, distribution or recording of protected material can result in disciplinary action.

Who Leads the Chicago Film Critics Association?

As of the 2026–27 cycle, Brian Tallerico serves as CFCA president. Because board roles can change, readers looking for the complete current leadership roster should consult the association’s About Us page.

Chicago Film Critics Association Members

The 2026–27 CFCA roster includes more than 50 members representing local, regional and national media outlets. Rather than reproducing a roster that changes over time, ChicagoCritic.com recommends using CFCA’s current member directory.

2026–27 New Members

CFCA announced three new members for the 2026–27 cycle: Sam Bodrojan, Brendan Hodges and Daniella Mazzio. Because membership changes annually, the official directory remains the best source for the current roster.

CFCA Awards vs. Chicago Critics Film Festival

The two programs serve different purposes. The CFCA Awards recognize films, performances, filmmakers and technical achievements each year. The Chicago Critics Film Festival is a public film festival featuring movies selected and programmed by CFCA members.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Chicago Film Critics Association?

The Chicago Film Critics Association is a nonprofit professional organization for film critics whose work has a Chicago presence. Its activities include annual film awards, the Chicago Critics Film Festival, professional programs and initiatives supporting film criticism.

When was CFCA founded?

The association was founded in 1990 by film critic Sue Kiner, following the successful launch of the Chicago Film Critics Awards in 1989.

Who can join CFCA?

Membership is intended for professional film critics who meet CFCA’s work, editorial, geographic and professional requirements. Applicants should review the association’s current Membership page before applying.

How much does CFCA membership cost?

The most recently published application cycle listed annual dues of $75. Applicants should confirm the current fee because dues can change.

What are the Chicago Film Critics Association Awards?

They are annual awards voted on by CFCA members recognizing films, performances, filmmakers and other achievements in cinema. The 2026 nominations are scheduled for December 8, with winners announced December 10.

What is the Chicago Critics Film Festival?

Founded by CFCA in 2013, the Chicago Critics Film Festival is programmed by critics and presents new films, festival selections, special screenings and guest appearances. The next edition is scheduled for April 30–May 6, 2027.

More Chicago Film Coverage

For more local movie coverage, see our guide to the best movies set in Chicago. For the latest CFCA membership, awards and festival announcements, visit the Chicago Film Critics Association.