Movies and TV shows casting in Illinois

Written by:
Backstage
February 18, 2026
Media_Photos // Shutterstock
This story was produced by Backstage and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media.

Movies and TV shows casting in Illinois

The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities' Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of that journey.

Whether you're a working actor or an aspiring one, you might be curious to know which movies and TV shows are casting roles near you. Backstage compiled a list of projects casting right now in Illinois and nationwide, and which roles they're looking to fill.

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Dpongvit // Shutterstock

'The Greener Side Of Life'

- Project type: documentary
- Roles:
--- Real People (real people, 18-75)
- Roles pay up to: $200
- Casting locations: Chicago, IL; Minneapolis, MN; Milwaukee, WI; Michigan Center, MI; Indianapolis, IN
- Learn more about the documentary here

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Grusho Anna // Shutterstock

'Girl's Night Out'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Maddie (lead, female, 18-30)
- Roles pay up to: $1,000
- Casting locations: Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY; San Francisco, CA; Chicago, IL
- Learn more about the short film here

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'Animal Control'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- The performer (lead, female, 33-45)
- Roles pay up to: $600
- Casting locations: Auditions: Mar 8, 2026 in Chicago, IL
- Learn more about the short film here

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Grusho Anna // Shutterstock

'Overcoming Jealousy In a Time of War'

- Project type: student film
- Roles:
--- Jessie (lead, female, gender-nonconforming, trans female, 23-45)
--- Blaire (supporting, female, gender-nonconforming, trans female, 27-55)
- Roles pay up to: $100
- Casting locations: Auditions: Feb 19, 2026 in Chicago, IL
- Learn more about the student film here

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KinoMasterskaya // Shutterstock

'The Crawl Space'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Daniel Field (lead, male, 24-31)
--- Dr. Sasha Petty (lead, female, 30-45)
--- Richard Field (lead, male, 50-65)
- Roles pay up to: $500
- Casting locations: Chicago, IL; Joliet, IL
- Learn more about the short film here

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Tikkyshop // Shutterstock

'Why Don't We Smoke'

- Project type: student film
- Roles:
--- Tori (lead, female, 25-35)
--- Jun (lead, female, 25-35)
- Roles pay up to: $300
- Casting locations: Chicago, IL
- Learn more about the student film here

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Media_Photos // Shutterstock

'Your Audience'

- Project type: student film
- Roles:
--- Percy (lead, all genders, 18+)
--- Damien the Director (supporting, all genders, 18+)
--- John (supporting, all genders, 18+)
- Roles pay up to: $125
- Casting locations: Auditions: Feb 25, 2026 in Chicago, IL
- Learn more about the student film here

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Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

'Noise Gate'

- Project type: short film
- Roles:
--- Tabitha (lead, female, 20-27)
--- Wolfie (lead, male, 20-27)
- Roles pay up to: $625
- Casting locations: Chicago, IL
- Learn more about the short film here

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Grusho Anna // Shutterstock

'Put Your Body in My Bag'

- Project type: student film
- Roles:
--- Daniel (lead, male, 23-29)
--- Mark (lead, 23-29)
--- Dead Body (background / extra, male, 23-29)
- Roles pay up to: $250
- Casting locations: Chicago, IL
- Learn more about the student film here

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muratart // Shutterstock

'That Gifted Kid 15 Years Later'

- Project type: student film
- Roles:
--- Noah (lead, male, 18-25)
--- Noah's Mom (supporting, female, 30-60)
- Roles pay up to: $200
- Casting locations: Chicago, IL
- Learn more about the student film here

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Grusho Anna // Shutterstock

'Christmas Retreat'

- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- Ava (lead, female, 25-40)
--- Clay (lead, male, 28-40)
- Roles pay up to: $7,000
- Casting locations: nationwide
- Learn more about the feature film here

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guruXOX // Shutterstock

Korean Feature Film Project 2026

- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- Tyler (supporting, male, 18-26)
- Roles pay up to: $3,000
- Casting locations: nationwide
- Learn more about the feature film here

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Grusho Anna // Shutterstock

'Painted with L.O.V.E.'

- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- Lilly (lead, female, 22-30)
--- Patrick Jones (lead, 25-35)
--- Lois (supporting, female, 22-30)
- Roles pay up to: $10,000
- Casting locations: nationwide
- Learn more about the feature film here

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Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

'The Summer of Your Life'

- Project type: reality TV
- Roles:
--- Single Hot Leading Man (real people, male, 25-31)
- Roles pay up to: $4,000
- Casting locations: nationwide
- Learn more about the reality TV show here

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Grusho Anna // Shutterstock

Indie Drama Feature Project

- Project type: feature film
- Roles:
--- James (supporting, male, 30-55)
--- Penny (supporting, female, 9-12)
--- Bully Kid (day player, male, 4-6)
- Roles pay up to: $3,488
- Casting locations: nationwide
- Learn more about the feature film here

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