CIFF Founder Michael Kutza Honored by Polish Consulate

Kutza recognized for decades of support for Polish filmmakers at the Chicago International Film Festival.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 10:21am

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A bold, abstract illustration featuring jagged geometric shapes and heavy black silhouettes in a high-contrast color palette, conceptually representing the global impact and artistic vision of the Chicago International Film Festival.The Chicago International Film Festival's decades-long commitment to showcasing global cinema has cemented the city's reputation as a hub for cinematic discovery.Chicago Today

Michael Kutza, the founder of the Chicago International Film Festival, was honored by the Polish Consulate of Chicago with the 'Meritorious for Polish Culture' Honorary Badge. The award reflects Kutza's longstanding commitment to bringing Polish cinema to American audiences through the festival, which has screened nearly 200 Polish films over the course of his tenure.

Why it matters

Kutza's dedication to international programming, including a strong focus on Polish filmmakers, helped establish the Chicago International Film Festival as a respected stop on the global festival circuit long before other major festivals like Sundance or Toronto rose to prominence. His vision shaped Chicago's cultural identity as a city engaged with cinema from around the world.

The details

As the founder of the Chicago International Film Festival, which he started at just 22 years old in 1964, Kutza built something in Chicago that did not exist anywhere else in the country at the time. Under his leadership, the festival became the longest running competitive film festival in North America and introduced American audiences to emerging international voices, including filmmakers like Martin Scorsese, Wim Wenders, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Mike Leigh and Oliver Stone. Kutza also brought global icons like Orson Welles, Bette Davis, Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and Spike Lee to the city, cementing Chicago's place in the global film conversation.

  • Kutza founded the Chicago International Film Festival in 1964.
  • Kutza stepped down as Artistic Director in 2018 and now holds an emeritus role.

The players

Michael Kutza

The founder of the Chicago International Film Festival, who built the event into the longest running competitive film festival in North America and a respected stop on the international festival circuit.

Polish Consulate of Chicago

The organization that awarded Kutza the 'Meritorious for Polish Culture' Honorary Badge in recognition of his decades of support for Polish filmmakers.

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What they’re saying

“Over the course of his tenure, nearly 200 Polish films were screened at the festival. Filmmakers including Krzysztof Kieślowski, Andrzej Wajda, Agnieszka Holland and Roman Polanski found a Chicago audience through Kutza's keen instincts.”

— Barbara Roche, Author

The takeaway

Michael Kutza's vision and dedication to international programming, including a strong focus on Polish cinema, helped establish the Chicago International Film Festival as a globally respected event that shaped the city's cultural identity as a hub for engaging with films from around the world.