CONFERENCE SCHEDULE OUTLINE
*SUBJECT TO CHANGE
SOLD OUT! CHICAGO CUBS GAME presented by hiike independent
Presented by HIIKE INDEPENDENT
Join us on Sunday, June 21 at 1:20 PM to pre-game the conference week with an afternoon of baseball as the Cubs take on the Toronto Blue Jays. IND/EX pass holders will all sit together, providing a great way for everyone to get to know each other ahead of the week’s festivities. This event has sold out!
IND/EX SUMMER SNEAK PEEK SCREENINGS
Get an early glimpse of some of the summer’s most exciting indie films. As a partner venue for the Independent Film Exhibition Conference (IND/EX), returning to Chicago June 22–25, 2026, the Siskel will present a limited slate of sneak-preview screenings from some of our favorite art house and film festival distributors. Free for IND/EX badge holders (must show IND/EX conference registration confirmation at box office) and open to the public, these special screenings offer audiences a first look at acclaimed new independent cinema before wider release.
Sunday June 21
6:00 pm - IND/EX Sneak Peeks: YOU HAD TO BE THERE (Greenwich) - Theater 1
6:15 pm - IND/EX Sneak Peeks: ABOUT A HERO (Utopia) - Theater 2
Monday, June 22
9:00 am - IND/EX Sneak Peeks: SUMMER TOUR (Utopia) - Theater 1
9:15 am - IND/EX Sneak Peeks: ORFEO (Oscilloscope) - Theater 2
11:00 am - IND/EX Sneak Peeks: UNION COUNTY (Oscilloscope) - Theater 1
11:15 am - IND/EX Sneak Peeks: THE SCOUT (Greenwich) - Theater 2
IND/EX Day ONE
Join us for programming at VenueSIX10 from 1-5 followed by our opening night party at the Chicago Cultural Center, presented by Filmbot.
OPENING NIGHT PARTY PRESENTED BY FILMBOT
Join us at the Chicago Cultural Center for our Opening Night Party presented by Filmbot.
Light Bites & Drinks on us!
No dress code!
FIRESIDE CHAT WITH TABITHA JACKSON AND GINA DUNCAN PRESENTED BY WATERMELON PICTURES
We are pleased to announce our 2026 IND/EX Fireside Chat with Tabitha Jackson (Film Forum) and Gina Duncan (The Moth).
In this chat they will move beyond programming strategy and operational how-tos to explore the deeper why behind this work - what it means to be connectors, not just presenters, what's at stake when free expression and shared human experience are under threat, and how the field builds the trust and resilience to act together. This is a conversation about meaning, purpose, and the irreplaceable value of the physical space of cinema.
SORRY TO BOTHER YOU WITH BOOTS RILEY + AFTER PARTY
Join us at the Music Box Theatre for a night of cinema followed by a Happy Hour hosted by Agile Ticketing Solutions.
TRAILER WARS PRESENTED BY SPOTLIGHT CINEMA NETWORKS
Join us at Joe’s on Weed Street for the return of Trailer Wars, followed by a night of Trivia.
TRIVIA PRESENTED BY STUBHUB
Presented by StubHub.
Join us for the return of IND/EX Movie Trivia, emceed by Martin Starr & The Potash Twins (SweetStash) with questions provided by Stewpendous Productions.
ADD ON EVENT: CHICAGO ARCHITECTURAL BOAT TOUR (FILM EDITION!) SPONSORED BY SCREEN DOLLARS
Sponsored by ScreenDollars
On Thursday, June 22 at 1:00 PM, join us for a private Chicago Architectural Boat Tour with a cinematic twist. As an IND/EX attendee you will be among the first ever to experience an exclusive 90-minute tour that highlights Chicago architecture while weaving iconic cinematic locations into the journey.
Enjoy unobstructed sight lines and guaranteed seating in an open-air upper deck, with full-service cocktail and snack bars available in the climate-controlled interior salon. This is one trip you DO NOT want to miss! Registered attendees can reach out for ticketing information here.