A look back on Chicago Zine Fest's Festivals over the years...

2020

In 2020 CZF moved entirely online! Due to COVID-19, an in-person event wasn’t possible, so the organizers pulled together a vibrant online event, including a zine reading, a discussion with the CZF organizers, a yoga-with-zinesters class by Heather Anacker, a prompt list activity by cartoonist and zinester Elias Gonzalez, and a behind-the-scenes tour of Quimby’s Bookstore from Liz Mason. The organizers also promoted the Zinester Directory, an opportunity for people to discover their new favorite zines! Find all the virtual haps from CZF 2020 on this page.

The 2020 artwork was designed by Caroline Cash.

2019

​The tenth year of Chicago Zine Fest expanded to a three-day event! CZF 2019 started with a tour of the zine collection at DePaul University’s Special Collections and Archives and a Zines + Social Justice Panel discussion on Thursday May 16, featuring panelists Anthony Rayson, Casey Goonan, Daisy Yessenia Zamora Centeno, Jonathan Valelly, LizMarie Palomo, and Vicki White, with moderator Derek Potts. Friday May 17th included an exhibitor reading at Quimby’s followed by a fun game of Zine Jeopardy with contestants John Porcellino, Julia Eff, and Billy the Bunny.

More than 250 zinesters exhibited at Plumbers’ Union Hall on Saturday May 18th. The karaoke after party was held at Emporium Arcade Bar Logan Square. Find more information about CZF 2019, including a schedule of the workshops held on Saturday, here.

The 2019 artwork was designed by Neil Brideau.

2018

​Year nine of Chicago Zine Fest started with a pre-fest tour of the zine collection at DePaul University’s Special Collections and Archives on Thursday May 17. Friday May 18th featured a panel discussion: “On Speaking Terms: Zines, Librarians and Communities” with panelists Oscar Arriola, Doro, and Milo, moderated by Sarah Wenzel. Following the panel was an assortment of stories and comics from Zach Auburn, Shira Mario, Megan M. Metzger, Ariel Chan, Marian Runk, Katie Armentrout, and Cathy Hannah.

New for 2018’s exhibition on Saturday May 19 was a youth area geared toward the next generation of zinemakers. The karaoke after party was held at Co-Prosperity Sphere. A full list of exhibitors at CZF 2018 is available here. Find more information about CZF 2018, including a schedule of the workshops held on Saturday, here.

The 2018 artwork was designed by Yewon Kwon.

2017

​Our eighth fest, CZF 2017, started with a Friday evening panel at Co-Prosperity Sphere in Bridgeport, moderated by Kelly Cree and featuring panelists JC, Rinko Endo, and Kevin Budnik discussing the topic “Tools of Survival: Using Zines for Self-Care.” Following the panel was an exhibitor reading with zinesters & comics artists Natasha Hernandez, Bianca Xunise, Aus & Lauren, Eryca Sender, Sage Coffey, Javier Suarez + Cameron Del Rosario, Fiona Avocado, and Jim Joyce.

Saturday’s exhibition was the third held at Plumbers’ Union Hall. The karaoke after party was held at The Learning Machine. A full list of exhibitors at CZF 2017 is available here. Lots more information about CZF 2017, including a schedule of the workshops held on Saturday, is available here

The 2017 Atwork was designed by Mike Centeno.

2016

​CZF 2016 started with a Friday evening panel at Workshop Chicago, moderated by Monica Trinidad and featuring panelists Leila Abdelrazaq, Sarah Gonzalez, and Monika Harris speaking on “Permission Not Granted: Women of Color and the Politics of Zines.” Following the panel was an exhibitor reading with zinesters  Andi Santagata, JC, Jonas, Marnie Galloway, Rachel & Sari, Taryn Hipp, Tanuja Jagernauth, and Vicky Lim.

Saturday’s exhibition was the second held at Plumbers’ Union Hall. The after party was held at Cafe Mustache. A full list of exhibitors at CZF 2016 is available here. More information about CZF 2016, including a schedule of the workshops held on Saturday, is available here.

The 2016 artwork was designed by Erik Rodriguez.

2015

​CZF 2015 began with a Friday evening panel at Access Living discussing “Zines: a Future Craft” with zinesters Julia Eff, Jonas, and Ocean Capewell. The panel was moderated by Jenna Freedman and a CART transcription of the panel is available here. The panel was followed by a youth reading and exhibitor readings featuring Annie Mok, Celia Pérez, H. Melt, Martha Grover, Matt Davis, and Mimi Thi Nguyen.

Saturday’s exhibition was held at a new location, Plumbers’ Union Hall in the West Loop neighborhood, and we celebrated the close of another successful zine fest with a Dance ‘n’ Draw after party at the International School of Comics.

A list of exhibitors who tabled in 2015 is available here. More information about CZF 2015, including a schedule of the workshops held on Saturday, is available here.

The 2015 artwork was designed by Corinne Mucha.

2014

​Our 5th anniversary! We kicked off the celebrations with a Friday afternoon panel entitled “In it for the Long Haul: A Discussion on Longevity in Zines” with Cindy Crabb (Doris), Tomas Moniz (Rad Dad), and Alex Wrekk (Brainscan) (CART transcription here). We continued onto Hairpin Arts Center for a youth reading and exhibitor readings at Hairpin Arts Center (featuring Amber Dearest, Amelia Hruby, Caitlin Constantine, Cindy Crabb, Curiouser Jane, K of Lake Effect, Joyce Hatton, Keiler Roberts, Khristina Acosta, LB of Truckface, Mack Attack, and Tevor Grabill). Friday evening’s events culminated in a dance party DJed by CHIRP Radio. Saturday’s exhibition was held at Columbia College.

A list of exhibitors who tabled in 2014 is available here.

A schedule of the workshops held on Saturday is available here.

The 2014 artwork was designed by Marnie Galloway.

2013

​Friday featured a panel entitled “Writing about Health, Disability, and Accessibility in Zines” with Kerri Radley, Maranda Elizabeth, and Dave Roche (CART transcription here). Friday continued into the evening with a youth reading and an exhibitor reading at 826CHI, and a game called Zine, Lose, or Draw at Quimby’s. Saturday featured a zine exhibition at Columbia with over 200 tablers and 2,000 attendees, along with workshops, panels, kids activities, and an art show / zine reading room. Saturday ended with a CZF favorite: a karaoke afterparty.

The 2013 artwork was designed by Laura Berger.

2012

​Friday featured a reading by students from Columbia College, a panel entitled “Gender, Race, and Sexuality: A Discussion with Women in Self-Publishing” with Cristy Road, Mimi Thi Nguyen, and Anne Elizabeth Moore, a youth reading and an exhibitor reading at 826CHI, and the 2012 Spring Zine Olympics at Quimby’s. Saturday featured a zine exhibition at Columbia with over 200 tablers (along with a DIY film fest, workshops, panels, kids activities, and an art show / zine reading room) and a karaoke afterparty.

The 2012 artwork was designed by Lilli Carré.

2011

​Friday featured a student reading & panel discussion with Al Burian and Aaron Cometbus at Columbia College, a youth reading followed by an exhibitor reading at 826CHI, and zinester karaoke at Quimby’s Bookstore. Saturday featured a day of workshops and zinesters from around North America as well as New Zealand and Germany exhibiting their zines at Columbia, and an (in)Formal dance after party.

The 2011 artwork was designed by Edie Fake.

2010

​Our first year! Friday featured a reading at Quimby’s Bookstore, an art show, and a screening of the Gadabout Film Festival at Johalla Projects. Saturday featured workshops and a day of zinesters from around North America exhibiting their zines at Columbia College, and an aftershow featuring bands and more readers at the Ball Hall.

The 2010 artwork was designed by Sara Drake.