Next Stop: The Criterion Mobile Closet at the Chicago International Film Festival
After wildly successful stops in multiple cities across the United States and, most recently, in Toronto at TIFF, the Criterion Mobile Closet is making a trip to Chicago!
October 17–19: Chicago International Film Festival
Stocked with more than 1,700 of the greatest films from around the world, the Criterion Collection Closet may offer more cinematic inspiration per square foot than any other place on the planet. Filmmakers, stars, and creative luminaries of all kinds come to Criterion to champion their favorite films in our popular Criterion Closet Picks video series. Last year, we opened the door to everyone by taking the Closet out on the road, and Chicago will be our seventh stop. Come in, explore the collection, and make your own Closet video!
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Location
NEWCITY Lincoln Park
1457 N. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60642
Opening Hours
October 17: 3–7 p.m.
October 18–19: 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Important to know: the Mobile Closet will open to the public at 3 p.m. on Friday, October 17. We will begin forming a line at 1:30 p.m. Please understand that we are unable to accommodate people waiting before that time, and anyone arriving or attempting to line up before then will be asked to return at 1:30 p.m.
On Saturday and Sunday (October 18–19), we will begin forming the line at 9:30 a.m. in advance of the Mobile Closet opening to the public at 11 a.m. Again, anyone arriving before that time will be asked to return at 9:30 a.m.
Take a look at some of the memorable moments we have shared with movie lovers at our previous stops!
Transportation and Parking
The Mobile Closet location is steps away from the North/Clybourn stop on the Red Line. If you are planning to drive there, please note that there is ample parking space available in the parking garage adjacent to the location. You can enter via 710 West Schiller Street.
How It Works
- The Criterion Closet is stocked with every in-print edition from the Criterion Collection, including box sets, as well as all in-print releases from our Eclipse and Janus Contemporaries lines.
- The Mobile Closet will be open to the general public on a first-come-first-serve basis.
- You don’t need a reservation to visit the Criterion Mobile Closet—there are no advance tickets or time slots; just show up at the site and find your place in line. Up to five people can share a Closet visit, so bring your friends or make friends in line! (We encourage group visits.)
- As long as supplies last, you’ll receive a Criterion tote bag and a printed pocket guide to the Criterion Collection.
- Use the pocket guide to find films you love from the Collection. The numbered order of the films in the guide matches the order of the films in the Closet so that you can easily find what you’re looking for once inside.
- If you don’t know what to choose, don’t worry! Just tell us about a film or filmmaker you love, and we’ll help you find something that fits you.
- Although we’ll have our camera rolling throughout the Closet visit, there’s absolutely no pressure to perform or talk about your selections. Your experience in the Closet is yours to create!
- If you would like to film or photograph your visit on your own camera or phone, you’re welcome to use our wall mount.
- Each Closet visit will last three minutes. Once the clock starts (spoiler: it’s when you enter!), you’ll have that time to explore the collection or talk about your selections. Don’t worry—the Criterion Closet team is there to help you find what you’re looking for, and if all you want to do is look around, that’s okay too!
- No purchase is required, but you are able to buy up to three items with our special Mobile Closet discount of 40 percent off, in honor of our fortieth anniversary. A limited amount of Criterion merch may also be available for purchase at the time of your visit. We accept credit cards only.
- At the end of every Closet visit, we take a Polaroid of our visitors with their selections, which will be yours to keep as a souvenir along with the tote bag and guide to the Collection, while supplies last.
- You might be featured on our social feeds, so keep an eye out and be sure to follow us on social media: Instagram, X, and Facebook.
- If you post your Criterion Mobile Closet experience on social, don’t forget to tag and use the hashtag #criterionmobilecloset
Instagram: @criterioncollection
X: @criterion
Facebook: @CriterionCollection
FAQ
More: FYI
Next Stop: The Criterion Mobile Closet at the Toronto International Film Festival
After wildly successful stops in multiple cities across the U.S., we’re taking the Mobile Closet outside the country for the first time this September.
Eclipse Is Back!
In November, Criterion’s series of rare films relaunches on Blu-ray with a box set of early works by Abbas Kiarostami.
Next Stop: The Criterion Mobile Closet in Los Angeles
After a wildly successful stop at SXSW, where we welcomed over a thousand film fans, the Mobile Closet is making its way to Vidiots and American Cinematheque in LA.
On the Road with the Criterion Mobile Closet
Take a look at some of the memorable moments we have shared with movie lovers since the Mobile Closet launched last fall.