SPRING THEATER & ARTS PREVIEW

CHICAGO CRITICS FILM FESTIVAL Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport 5/5-5/ 11

$150 early-bird festival passes, $200 after March 24 chicagocriticsfilmfestival.com to’s early hip-hop scene; Passages, the French romance from director Ira Sachs; and Ernest and Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia , a touching animated film from Julien Chheng and Jean-Christophe Roger about a couple looking to fix a beloved violin.

On April 17, the CFCA plans to announce the festival’s entire film selection, alongside a full screening schedule. During the festival, the Music Box Theatre will feature more than 30 critically acclaimed films as well as guest appearances from filmmakers. For regular visitors or newcomers to the Music Box, the CCFF’s programming aligns with Chicago’s premier local theater’s general pursuit of introducing important films to locals.

“Given the state of the movies right now, some of these presentations might be the only chance a Chicago audience has to see a certain movie on the big screen,” says Buck LePard, marketing manager and senior operations manager at the Music Box. “The Music Box has a lot of di erent types of film fans in our audience, and we’re always trying to make sure that we have something for everyone on our schedule. CCFF does that too, except they condense it all into one huge film-filled week.”