# Top movies we saw at this year’s Chicago International Film Festival: Reginald Ponder’s picks

> Reginald Ponder highlights five films from Chicago International Film Festival: '14th', 'Elsinore', 'Once Upon a Time in Harlem', 'All of a Sudden', and 'Mouse'.
- Title: Top movies we saw at this year’s Chicago International Film…
- Summary: Reginald Ponder highlights five films from Chicago International Film Festival: '14th', 'Elsinore', 'Once Upon a Time in Harlem', 'All of a Sudden', and…
- Keywords: chicago international film festival, reginald ponder, 14th, elsinore, once upon a time in harlem, all of a sudden, mouse, documentary, theater, film festival, news, local
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/movies-and-tv/2026/10/26/chicago-international-film-festival-14th-elsinore
- Published: 2026-10-26T10:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: chicago international film festival, reginald ponder, 14th, elsinore, once upon a time in harlem, all of a sudden, mouse, documentary, theater, film festival, news, local
## Most Galvanizing
Reginald Ponder selected '14th' as the most galvanizing film at the 2026 Chicago International Film Festival.

> The 14th, 'Elsinore', 'Once Upon a Time in Harlem', 'All of a Sudden' and 'Mouse' made my top five 'most' list.
## Most Inspiring
Elsinore, a film about actor Ian Charleson, was chosen as the most inspiring film at the festival.

> Andrew Scott stars as Scottish actor Ian Charleson in 'Elsinore.'
## Most Intimate
Once Upon a Time in Harlem completes William Greaves' work on the Harlem Renaissance.

> Once Upon a Time in Harlem completes the work of famed filmmaker William Greaves.
## Most Revolutionary
All of a Sudden, a film about patient care reform, was selected as the most revolutionary film.

> Marie, a nursing home director, struggles to convince her institution to revolutionize patient care from speed and profit to humane, self-affirming treatment.
## Most Unsettling
Mouse, a film about grief after a tragic accident, was chosen as the most unsettling film.

> Sophie Okonedo plays Helen, a mother whose promising daughter, Callie, is graduating from high school.
## Premiere Dates
14th will premiere on Netflix Dec 4 after a theatrical run starting Nov 27.

> The 14th will premiere worldwide on Netflix on Dec. 4, following a theatrical release in select U.S. theaters beginning Nov. 27.
## Theater Release
Elsinore opens in limited theaters on November 20.

> Elsinore will open in limited theaters Nov. 20.
## Theater Release
Once Upon a Time in Harlem opened in theaters in October.

> Once Upon a Time in Harlem opened in theaters in October and is not available for streaming yet.
## Theater Release
All of a Sudden is scheduled for a U.S. theatrical release on November 25.

> All of a Sudden is scheduled for a U.S. theatrical release on Nov. 25.
## Theater Release
Mouse opens in limited theaters on November 6 before expanding to wider audiences on November 13.

> Mouse in open in limited theaters Nov. 6, before expanding to wider audiences on Nov. 13.
## Festival Details
The Chicago International Film Festival showcases over 100 feature films and nearly 60 short films.

> The Chicago International Film Festival is a movie lover’s delight, showcasing more than 100 feature films and nearly 60 short films.
## Films Seen
Reginald Ponder saw 19 feature films and eight short films over 12 days at the festival.

> In addition to special events, red carpets and interviews, I saw 19 feature films and eight short films over 12 days.
## Film Selection
Reginald Ponder selected five films for his top list at the 2026 Chicago International Film Festival.

> The 14th, 'Elsinore', 'Once Upon a Time in Harlem', 'All of a Sudden' and 'Mouse' made my top five 'most' list.
## Film Descriptions
All of a Sudden focuses on a nursing home director's efforts to improve patient care through compassionate approaches.

> Marie, a nursing home director, struggles to convince her institution to revolutionize patient care from speed and profit to humane, self-affirming treatment.
## Film Descriptions
Mouse explores grief through the eyes of a mother and her best friend after a tragic accident.

> Sophie Okonedo plays Helen, a mother whose promising daughter, Callie, is graduating from high school.
## Key takeaway

Reginald Ponder selected five films for his top list at the 2026 Chicago International Film Festival: '14th', 'Elsinore', 'Once Upon a Time in Harlem', 'All of a Sudden', and 'Mouse'.