Network & Mingle

Link Up Happy Hour Mixer
Wednesday, October 1 / 7:00p-9:00p 
Evelyn's at The Hutton Hotel

Check in, grab a badge, and start the conversations that matter. The Link Up is your chance to meet fellow filmmakers, industry insiders, and festival guests before the screenings begin. Network, swap stories, and set the stage for an unforgettable IBFF 20th Anniversary weekend.

Rhythm & Smoke Opening Night Party
Thursday, Oct. 2 / 8p-1a
Analog at Hutton Hotel  

We’re kicking off IBFF’s 20th Anniversary on the dance floor! Live music sets the vibe, and one of the hottest DJs in the city, DJ Smoke, keeps it lit on the turntables. Are you hanging? Bring your crew. Doors open at 8 PM

PRIVATE EVENT
Director's Breakfast: An Exclusive Gathering of Filmmakers, Cast & Crew
Saturday October 4 / 8a - 10:30a
Location: Chicago's Chicken & Waffles

An exclusive, by-invitation-only event at the 2025 International Film Festival! The Director's Breakfast is where the creative minds behind the festival’s films come together for a morning of inspiration, networking, and celebration.
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This private event is a unique opportunity to connect with fellow filmmakers, cast, and crew in an intimate setting, fueling collaboration and creativity for the exciting days ahead.

HE+SHE LEADS  Day Mixer 
Thursday, Oct. 2 / 5:00p-6:30p
Evelyn's at Hutton Hotel 
 
Step into an evening where influence meets inspiration. The He + She Leads Mixer brings together dynamic leaders—men and women who are shaping culture, business, and creative industries—for a high-energy exchange of ideas and connections. Guests will enjoy lively conversation, a spirited panel discussion on leadership in today’s shifting landscape, and the chance to build relationships that extend well beyond the festival.
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This is more than a mixer; it is a celebration of collaboration and the power of diverse voices leading with vision and purpose.

HOSTED BY: Percy Bell, Festival Ambassador

Sunset Social & Karaoke Day Party
Sponsored by:
Creative Artists of Tennessee


Friday October 3 / 5p - 8p
Sunset Lounge at Supperclub

The Sunset Social where filmmakers, creators, and festival guests gather for an afternoon into an evening of conversation and community. From 4–8 pm, enjoy a lively panel discussion, a relaxed mixer over food and drinks, and cap it all off with karaoke, because stories deserve to be shared on every stage.

HOSTED BY: Percy Bell, Festival Ambassador

PRIVATE EVENT
Scene 20: IBFF Speakeasy
Saturday October 4 / 8p - 11:30p
Location: It's a Secret!
 

The word is out, but only for those who listen closely. Past the unmarked door, you’ll find a room alive with elegance — sharp style, effortless charm, and glasses raised to something rare.

From the stage, a voice drifts — smooth, intoxicating, and unforgettable — weaving through laughter and low conversations, filling the space with soul and sophistication. The music lingers long after each note, elevating the night into something timeless.

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No lists, no signs, no noise. Just a hidden world inside IBFF’s 20 Years Amplified, where conversation, music, and presence create a moment that can’t be replicated.

If you’ve made it this far, you’re already part of the story.