Conversations at the Edge

Join us for screenings, performances, and talks by groundbreaking media artists. 

For 25 years, SAIC’s Conversations at the Edge series has welcomed landmark and emerging artists to Chicago for adventurous screenings, performances, and conversation. Bringing together an extraordinary breadth of forms, traditions, and histories, CATE explores—and expands—our sense of what moving images can do.

Held at SAIC’s Siskel Film Center, CATE treats the cinema as a flexible space for gathering and experimentation—presenting films as well as gallery-based works, live performance, internet-native projects, video games, and more. Artist talks and conversations extend each program, offering audiences new ways to experience the works and the ideas behind them.

CATE is organized by SAIC’s Department of Film, Video, New Media, and Animation and is made possible through its ongoing collaboration with the Siskel Film Center and Video Data Bank.

"Conversations at the Edge is a cultural arts gem."    
—Chicago Tribune

Visitor Information

Location

Siskel Film Center   
164 N. State St.   
Chicago, IL 60603 

Tickets

$14 General public   
$9 Students & seniors
$8 Siskel Film Center members   
$8 SAIC faculty & staff/Art Institute staff   
Free for SAIC students   

All CATE programs are free for SAIC students. Unless otherwise noted, SAIC student tickets are released five days prior to showtime. Tickets must be picked up in person from the Siskel Film Center box office. A student ID is required.

Accessibility

The Siskel Film Center is fully ADA accessible. Theaters are hearing-loop equipped. Conversations at the Edge events are presented with real-time captions (CART). For other accessibility requests, visit saic.edu/access or email cate@saic.edu.

Sign up for email updates