Danny Boyle's latest, Jim Gaffigan, 'Alien' 40th anniversary highlight 2019 Chicago Critics Film Festival

The Chicago Critics Film Festival, the first known film festival programmed and selected by a critics organization, opens its 7th annual lineup at the Music Box Theatre May 17-23 with an impressive lineup of hits from Sundance & SXSW, guests and a notable sci-fi horror classic. 

The opening night film is a Chicago-based drama "Saint Frances," a dramedy about a disgruntled nanny clashing with the six-year old child of an affluent suburban family while simultaneously dealing with the abortion of an unplanned pregnancy. Writer-star Kelly O'Sullivan and director Alex Thompson will be on-hand to present this look at personal struggles and reluctant friendships. 

​The latest film from Academy Award-winning director Danny Boyle will also be part of the week-long lineup. "Yesterday" follows a talented but struggling musician who travels around inspiring people with the music of The Beatles--except he's the only one left on earth to have ever heard of the British rock group.

Following a trend started two years ago, the Chicago Film Critics Association will highlight a significant classic film on Saturday, May 18 when a 35mm presentation of "Alien" is shown in honor of it's 40th anniversary. On hand to answer questions and present will be "Alien" star Tom Skerritt. 

The festival closes on May 23 with actor-comedian Jim Gaffigan and filmmaker Paul Harrill to showcase their film "Light from Light." Gaffigan co-stars as a widower haunted by a ghost believed to be his deceased wife, who is offered help by a paranormal investigator. 

Other films that made splashes on the festival circuit making their windy city premieres, thanks to the CFCA include "The Farewell," which stars Awkwafina in her follow-up to last year's sleeper hit "Crazy Rich Asians" with director Lulu Wang scheduled to attend; actress Aisling Franciosi ("Game of Thrones") will be present for "The Nightingale," in which she stars as an Irish convict seeking vengeance for her family against a British office during the late 1800s; "Orphan Black" actor Tom Cullen will present his directorial debut "Pink Wall" with "Orphan Black" co-star Tatiana Maslany and actor Jay Duplass, who star as a couple facing continued struggles after six years of marriage; "Greener Grass" was a hit at Sundance, a twisted comedy about suburban life turned upside down; "The Perfection" was a hit at Fantastic Fest, a horror flick with a sly sense of humor about a musical prodigy facing shocking turns when encountering a new classmate; and Italian language film "Piranhas" has teenage boys doing hits for Naples mob bosses in Italy.

This is just a mere sample of films on the docket for the CCFF, which also includes a short films program and three documentaries. Hollywood Snitch will be present at the fest to celebrate and cover this wonderful festival. 

Full festival passes ($150) and individual tickets are currently available via https://musicboxtheatre.com/events/chicago-critics-film-festival. The festival begins on Friday, May 17 and runs through Thursday, May 23. All info pertianing to the fest, including the full lineup and schedule can be found at https://chicagocriticsfilmfestival.com.