2025 Festival Schedule & Tickets
Tickets for the 2025 Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival are now available for purchase online. The 15th annual festival will run April 27-May 13 throughout the Chicagoland area, including Classic Cinemas Elk Grove XQ, Facets Film Forum, Music Box Theatre, Palatine Public Library, and Tivoli Theatre.
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An Autumn Summer + Short Selections
Classic Cinemas Elk Grove XQ 1050 Elk Grove Town Center, IL, Elk Grove Village, ILOpening night of the 2025 Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival, featuring three (3) short films and one (1) feature narrative.
Battersea + Short Selections
Classic Cinemas Elk Grove XQ 1050 Elk Grove Town Center, IL, Elk Grove Village, ILSecond Night of the 2025 Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival, featuring three (3) short films and one (1) feature narrative.
The Pantone Guy + Short Selections
Classic Cinemas Elk Grove XQ 1050 Elk Grove Town Center, IL, Elk Grove Village, ILThird Night of the 2025 Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival, featuring four (4) short films and one (1) feature documentary.
Discovering Catharine
Palatine Public Library 700 N North Court, Palatine, IL, United StatesA BWiFF 2025 Beyond Competition Presentation
"Discovering Catharine" explores McCulloch’s trailblazing career as one of the first female attorneys in the U.S. and her relentless fight for women’s equality, particularly in the legal and political arenas.
Shiners: Voices from Owsley County
Palatine Public Library 700 N North Court, Palatine, IL, United StatesA BWiFF 2025 Beyond Competition Presentation
Along with stunning original and traditional music, high school students write and perform a play about growing up in rural Appalachia. While overcoming problems of addiction in one of the nation's poorest counties, the inspiring students travel from their small town to Kentucky’s high school theater competition.
1925 Cinema Centennial | ‘The Gold Rush’
A gold prospector in Alaska struggles to survive the elements and win the heart of a dance hall girl. This special virtual presentation will feature music by Gail Gallagher and sound effects by Nicholas White performed live.
Eugene O’Neill’s The First Man
Palatine Public Library 700 N North Court, Palatine, IL, United StatesA BWiFF 2025 Beyond Competition Presentation
World renowned anthropologist Curtis is consumed by grief over his young daughters' deaths. He finds solace in immersing himself in preparations for his upcoming expedition to Asia, where he aims to unravel the mystery of "The First Man."
Segal + Short Selections
Classic Cinemas Elk Grove XQ 1050 Elk Grove Town Center, IL, Elk Grove Village, ILFourth Night of the 2025 Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival, featuring three (3) short films and one (1) feature documentary.
Never Not Yours + Short Selections
Classic Cinemas Elk Grove XQ 1050 Elk Grove Town Center, IL, Elk Grove Village, ILFifth Night of the 2025 Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival, featuring three (3) short films and one (1) feature narrative.
Dawn Dusk + Short Selections
Classic Cinemas Elk Grove XQ 1050 Elk Grove Town Center, IL, Elk Grove Village, ILClosing Night of the 2025 Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival, featuring four (4) short films and one (1) feature documentary.
Filmmaker Testimonals
“We appreciate the welcome gifts and the staff intentionally creating a warm and inviting space from entering the theater to sharing about the film during Q&A. This festival is a gem of the Midwest.”
“I was not able to attend physically but they went out of their way to include me in the Q&A of my film virtually. This festival is truly about the filmmaker.”