the who, what, why, how

The Third Coast International Audio Festival (TCF) was founded in 2000 as a part of Chicago Public Radio, WBEZ–FM. After eight great years, the festival became its own non-profit arts organization in the summer of 2009. Since its inception, the TCF has celebrated and supported producers and other artists making compelling, relevant, and innovative audio documentary work of all styles; and has worked to bring this fresh and vital work to audiences throughout the world.

Made up of eight distinct yet complementary elements, the TCF promotes audio culture for radiomakers and listeners worldwide:
 

Listen up!

It’s an Audio Library

This website is packed with hundreds of audio stories of all stripes, producer interviews, weekly podcasts, and the latest Festival happenings.
 

It's a weekly Radio Show

Re:sound, a remix of audio goodness from around the world, airs Saturdays at 1 pm and Sundays at 9 pm on WBEZ 91.5FM Chicago. Tune in for radio you can't hear anywhere else, unless you live everywhere else.

It's a National Radio Show

Best of the Best: The Third Coast Festival Broadcast showcases the winners of the Third Coast / Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Competition and airs on stations across the country each fall.
 

It's a Podcast

The weekly Third Coast Podcast, hosted by Re:sound producer Delaney Hall, presents Re:sound episodes and special features from our vast audio library.

Participate!

Public listening Events

TCF listening events present audio work – in Chicago and beyond - in theaters, cafes, bars... anywhere with a good set of speakers. The Third Coast Filmless Festival, a day-long celebration of sound and story, is held in Chicago each spring.
 

ShortDocs Challenge

Each spring the TCF ShortDocs Challenge invites producers and listeners alike to make short audio stories based on a specific set of rules. No prior experience is necessary.
 

Competition

The annual Third Coast / Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Competition honors the most creative and compelling audio work being produced worldwide. Look for our call for entries in early May.
 

Conference

Held in Chicago each year, the Third Coast Conference gathers producers from all over the world to talk shop and share wisdoms about the art and craft of documentary radio production.

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About the Pigeon

AKA "Pidgey"... he's urban, savvy and gregarious, and a natural-born messenger. He's also the new TCF mascot!