Lake County Film Festival returns March 12-23
Published February 24, 2026
The Lake County Film Festival (LCFF) is celebrating 16 years of independent cinema with a diverse, ambitious and international slate of feature films. It runs March 12–23, showcasing feature films, documentaries and more than 100 short films from around the world.
This year’s festival will screen films at three venues: College of Lake County in Grayslake, Gorton Center in Lake Forest, and, for the first time, Antioch Theater in Antioch, expanding the festival’s footprint and access across Lake County.
“College of Lake County is truly the backbone of the Lake County Film Festival. The remarkable facilities allow us to host the majority of our screenings, and their unwavering support has been so vital that, without it, the festival likely wouldn’t exist,” says Nat Dykeman, festival director.
Lake County on the big screen
The festival’s closing night brings the spotlight home with All Skate, directed by Lake County native April Wright.
“I love highlighting films with a Lake County connection and welcoming back alumni whose earlier work we’ve celebrated at the festival,” Dykeman says. “All Skate is a perfect example of both.”
The documentary weaves together the rich, communal history of roller skating through stories from skaters across the country, including Wright’s own family legacy. Her family once owned the Park Roller Rink in Zion, a beloved local gathering place that closed in 2006, making the film both a cultural chronicle and a meditation on what communities lose and preserve over time.
“Playing All Skate as closing night of the Lake County Film Festival is so exciting. It’s full circle for me to be able to come home for this very first screening of the film,” Wright says. “So many people in the area grew up coming to our rink; I hope many of them will be able to come out and share some fond memories.”
Something for everyone
True to the festival’s mission, the Lake County Film Festival does not impose a single theme. Instead, the Sweet 16 lineup reflects a wide spectrum of voices, styles, and subjects, from intimate character studies and inventive comedies to urgent social documentaries and formally daring international work.
“Students should consider attending the LCFF for a variety of reasons. You get to see a bunch of surprising movies, meet some filmmakers, watch some Q and A sessions, and maybe make some new friends,” says Humanities Instructor Chris Cooling. “Attending the festival is a way to meet some local filmmakers and potentially join up with them in creative careers.”
Festival details
For the full festival schedule, tickets and information, visit the Lake County Film Festival website.
Individual tickets are $10, with discounted day, weekend and full-festival badges available. Festival badges include meals, unlimited popcorn and meet-and-greet breakfasts for staff, filmmakers, VIPs and badge holders.
Attend CLC's free international film series
CLC hosts a free international film series throughout the year. All films are at 7 p.m. in Room D100 on the Grayslake Campus.
Showings include:
- March 5 – Kill the Jockey
- April 2 – Caught by the Tides
- May 7 – The Man Who Knew Too Much
Films may have adult content and are not suitable for children. Films are subtitled when necessary. For more information, contact Chris Cooling: email ccooling@clcillinois.edu or call (847) 543-2623.