3rd Annual City of Lights Film Festival
September 18 - 20, 2025
Submissions now open!
The City of Aurora’s film festival is community minded. Illinois’ second-largest city retains a strong multi-cultural, artistic diaspora—and this need for creative expression is reflected in our downtown!
Join us in September and take in all that the downtown area has to offer—small businesses, outdoor art, diverse dining options—and make your attendance at the 3rd annual City of Lights Film Festival a weekend of open minds and full bellies.
Whether you come as an attendee, submitter, or one of our chosen filmmakers, you are a part of the festival’s fabric. Join us!
Direct any questions to filmoffice@aurora.il.us
Interested in Volunteering? Review what's on offer and send an email to filmoffice@aurora.il.us to get signed up!
Schedule
As our annual festival nears, find the full schedule of events right here. Specific screening information—including synopses, ratings, location—will be posted, as well as ticket information. You’ll also find our Opening and Closing Night program on this page, so you can decide how badly you need to join us every night, all weekend long.
Getting Here
Stay tuned for information on travel, parking, and more.
Venues
All screening and reception locations will be located in the heart of downtown Aurora. Venue announcements coming soon...follow us @cityoflightsfilmfestival to stay in the know!
Tickets
Tickets will be sold for each screening, as well as Opening and Closing Night receptions. Check back here for when they go on sale in Summer 2025.
Check out Last Year’s Lineup