2026 Midwest Film Fair and Expo

The Midwest Film Festival, in partnership with the City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and the Chicago Film Office, will host the Film Fair and Best of the Midwest Winners Showcase. This immersive expo transforms the space into an interactive "set" representing key filmmaking departments. It features hands-on engagement and insights into various crafts, reflecting a real-world film set ecosystem. Participants include university film programs, equipment vendors, set designers, wardrobe, hair and makeup artists, actors, writers, post-production teams, craft services, and sustainability initiatives. The event also includes screenings of 2025 award-winning films, the announcement of 2026 Best of the Midwest Awards (BMA) nominees, and "How we Made it sessions" with top BMA winners. A Workforce Workshop focused on "Prepping Your Project for Post" is also part of the program.