Chicago IndieCon 2026

Independent Film • Acting • Industry Access

📅 Festival Dates: February 21–22, 2026
📍 Location: Hollywood Blvd Cinema | Woodridge, IL

Chicago IndieCon is a filmmaker-first independent film convention celebrating storytelling, performance, and real industry access. Now in its 3rd year, IndieCon brings together filmmakers, actors, casting professionals, and industry leaders for two days of screenings, panels, showcases, and networking.

Below are featured programming highlights included with festival admission.

Actors and actresses perform a 1-minute monologue LIVE on a theater stage in front of:
🎥 Casting Directors
🎬 Filmmakers
🎞️ Producers
🎭 A real festival audience

🏆 Prizes awarded to the winner

This is a live showcase designed to give actors visibility, experience, and opportunity — not a guaranteed audition.

An interactive discussion exploring voice-over and music composition careers in film, television, and beyond, with audience participation.

Moderator:
Johnny “Koolout” Starks – Actor, radio personality, host (Tom Joyner Cruise)

Panelists:
• Rob “Diggy” Morrison – International film & TV composer, Grammy-recognized, Chief Composer (The Family Business)
• Craig J. Harris –
– Voice of Lt. Jackson “Jax” Briggs (Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance)
– Producer (Hoarders, Chicago ER, First 48: Missing Persons)
– Stunt Performer (Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Pr*son Break)

Indie Film Do’s & Don’ts — what filmmakers need to know before cameras roll and after the film is completed.

Featuring industry professionals from:
• Kathy Byrne – SAG-AFTRA Chicago, Director of TV/Theatrical
• Natasha Parker Olguin – Illinois Film Office
• Doreena Towner – Illinois Tax Credit Office
• Kelvin Abraham – Distributor, Acquisitions Executive at Filmhub

🎥 “White History Month” Screening & Talkback – 1/22

A powerful screening followed by an in-depth talkback exploring:
• The film itself
• The responsibility of Black filmmakers to balance message-driven vs. entertainment-driven storytelling
• How and when to lend your name and talent in an ever-changing entertainment landscape without diminishing your brand
• Passion vs. Pay — navigating purpose and opportunity in today’s industry

Moderator:
Tyra Martin – Senior Segment Producer, News & Entertainment & Community Affairs, WGN-TV

Panelists:
• Aaron Wallace – Director / Writer / Producer
• Wesley Jonathan – Actor (Sanders)
• Sharon King – Producer / Casting Director
• Jody Williams – Cinematographer
• Natasha Parker Olguin – Producer, Deputy Commissioner, Chicago Film Office

🎥 Chicago IndieCon is where actors and filmmakers connect, learn, and take their careers to the next level.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Jay Davis