CFCA Ethics

The Chicago Film Critics Association is a not-for-profit organization that believes in civil discourse and safe, all-inclusive environments, and expects its members to practice the following guidelines in professional spaces and in the larger public as representatives of our community. All members are held to the same standards and the board reserves the right to suspend or ban members who do not conduct themselves accordingly. 

Inclusion Statement 

Film criticism is an ongoing conversation, one in which inclusion plays a central part. The CFCA believes in and supports equality across age, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, physical abilities, race, and religion. It is our mission to uphold the diverse voices who make film a vital art form for social change.  

Professional Guidelines 

We expect members to uphold the quality and integrity of the writing that initially brought them into the association.  

Films provided by studios are an extension of privilege as an accredited member of the association. We expect members to adhere to studio requests regarding the handling of their screeners, embargos, or the access of screenings. Acts like torrenting or selling screeners, or filming during screenings, are a violation of the trust between the association and studios, and a negative reflection on the critics group that will lead to expulsion. 

We believe that access to films, filmmakers, and other creatives is a privilege not a right, and that members are to conduct themselves in person and online with the same respect. Abuse of that privilege through unprofessional conduct may result in expulsion from the organization. Members should avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived, and be transparent with their audience when they arise. Members uncertain about whether or not a course of action is appropriate are encouraged to seek advice from a board member.

Harassment / Hate Speech 

Members are to always act in a professional manner when interacting with studio representatives, publicists, theater staff, filmmakers, and other critics. The CFCA holds a zero-tolerance policy for abuse and harassment, related to a member’s in-person and/or online behavior. Harassing behavior we will not tolerate includes but is not limited to: bullying/stalking, disruption of CFCA events, hurtful language, inappropriate physical content, intimidation, physical assault, unwanted recording, or unwanted sexual attention. 

Similarly, the CFCA will not tolerate hateful language or actions from members related to age, citizenship status, disability, gender identity or presentation, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any further areas deemed unprofessional. 

For all of these issues, the CFCA establishes that if someone comes to the board with an accusation of such behavior, the CFCA begins from a place that seriously considers all accusations and supports and protects those who report them. The privilege of membership will not be a protection for immoral behavior. Accounts of such behavior will be addressed publicly by the CFCA, and members deemed to have engaged in illegal, criminal, or inappropriate public behavior may be subject to review or expulsion as the board sees fit.