9 parks will screen a different assortment of 18 Chicago-made films starting August 24th
CHICAGO, IL- The summer blockbuster series only found in Chicago Parks returns! The 13th annual Chicago Onscreen is back and ready to showcase 18 brand new Chicago-made films focused on our shared superpower of transformation. Of the 9 parks chosen to host the multi-day festival, five parks are brand new this year, allowing more park patrons to enjoy the showings than ever before. Multiple genres of films will be screened, including documentaries, animated, feature-length and more. Chicago Onscreen begins on August 24th and ends on August 29th, each showing begins at 8 p.m.
“The Chicago Park District is not only the premier destination in the country for recreation, but it is also a leader in promoting the arts too!” said General Superintendent & CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa. “Chicago Onscreen supports local filmmakers by making their projects accessible in the city they feel so passionately about, allowing countless park patrons to experience and enjoy their creative vision.”
The 2026 lineup of films was selected from 115 submissions evaluated by our Selection Team of 12 Chicago Park District programmers, Chicago Film Office staffers and Chicago-based independent film programmers. The final selection consists of:
- 9 Documentary Films
- 3 Animated Films
- 6 Narrative Films
- 16 Short Films
- 2 Feature-Length Films
Chicago Onscreen is a part of the Chicago Park District’s Movies in the Parks and the Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks initiative. Night Out in the Parks is a year-round event series that features more than 1,000 hours of cultural and arts activities citywide, including 175 movie screenings this summer. For more information, visit Chicago Onscreen.
Below are a few highlighted films from the festival. To see the full schedule, visit here.
Draft Paper (Olivia Moon)
Category: Animated Short
Director: Olivia Moon
Producers: Adrian Nuño, Andrew Nuño)
Synopsis: Modeled after the real-life practice of US sailors being forced to censor their pin-up tattoos during World War II, Draft Paper tells the story of an unfulfilled fashion designer who has to face the moral and personal implications of creating his art during a tumultuous time in history.
First Winter (Schantelle Alonzo)
Category: Animated Short
Director: Schantelle Alonzo
Synopsis: Ángel is a newly arrived immigrant who is experiencing his first winter in Chicago. The film follows his realization of what it may mean to be away from home for a very long time.
Jacuzzi Man (Jesse Rothenberg)
Category: Narrative Short
Director: Jesse Rothenberg
Producers: Jesse Rothenberg
Synopsis: A poolside mystic dispenses unlikely wisdom to a man who has bet everything on a dream.
Roots and Blues: The Muddy Waters MOJO Museum (Chandra Cooper, Nate Wyse)
Category: Documentary Short
Director: Chandra Cooper, Nate Wyse
Producers: Chandra Cooper
Synopsis: 'Roots and Blues' is a documentary exploring the extraordinary life and lasting legacy of Muddy Waters—born McKinley Morganfield—the father of modern Chicago blues. From his humble Mississippi Delta beginnings to becoming a global icon, Muddy’s journey is the embodiment of the American Dream: a testament to resilience, creativity, and the transformative power of music. Set against Chicago’s vibrant South Side, the film showcases how his groundbreaking sound shaped the blues, rock and roll, and countless other genres. Executive Producer and Co-Director Chandra Cooper, Muddy Waters’ great-granddaughter, highlights the Muddy Waters MOJO Museum, housed in his first home, which became a gathering place for legendary musicians and will soon serve as a cultural center. 'Roots and Blues' celebrates Muddy’s enduring influence, the city that embraced him, and the global impact of Chicago blues.
The Good News (Christopher Hoerdemann)
Category: Documentary Feature
Director: Christopher Hoerdemann
Producers: Norman Hoerdemann
Synopsis: The Good News is a documentary about the transformation of Chicago’s Austin neighborhood—told by the people who are leading it. Once dismissed as a lost cause, Austin is now home to a movement of organizers, business owners, and residents who are reshaping the story of their community. The film captures the pride, history, and urgency of a neighborhood that refused to be defined by its past and chose to build its own future.
The Protagonist Gene
Category: Narrative Short
Director: Kyle Leland Cullerton
Producers: Kyle Leland Cullerton
Synopsis: When a timid woman is medically diagnosed as a Supporting Character, she must undergo a radical procedure in order to attain Main Character energy.