FACETS' 40TH ANNUAL CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL, NOVEMBER 3 – 19, 2023

ChiIL Mama’s ChiIL Picks List 

FACETS ANNOUNCES TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE

FOR THE 40TH ANNUAL

CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL 

CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL

 NOVEMBER 3 – 19

Tickets On Sale Today - Thursday, Sept.  21

Special Early Bird Pricing Through Thursday, Oct. 12

Use Code CICFF40EARLYBIRD15 

FACETS 40th Annual Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (CICFF), the first Academy Award qualifying international children’s film festivals in the world, announces tickets for the 40th annual festival are now on sale. The festival is presented from Friday, Nov. 3 through Sunday, Nov. 19. FACETS is pleased to offer in-person screenings as well as limited festival selections available via national streaming. The in-person screenings will take place at FACETS Cinema, Logan Center for the Arts, Music Box Theater and The Kehrein Center For The Arts with special events happening at other venues around Chicago including Chicago History Museum and AMC New City 14.  CICFF showcases films for ages 2 - 18 years old and their families. General ticket prices are $12 for in-person and virtual screening, with festival passes and FACETS’ Member discounts available. 

Tickets are on sale now, ticket buyers should visit https://cicff40.eventive.org/ to purchase tickets and see the current schedule. The site will be updated regularly as additional programming is finalized. The early bird discount rate, available by using code CICFF40EARLYBIRD15, is valid through October 12 on the festival website.

HIGHLIGHTS OF CICFF40:

CICFF40 Opening Event (Friday, Nov. 3 at 6 p.m.): CICFF40’s Red Carpet Opening at Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St. with live entertainment, a special screening of family friendly short films and reception celebrating the festival’s 40th anniversary.

“My First Movies” Event (Sunday, Nov. 5): A family friendly event at AMC New City 14, 1500 N. Clybourn Ave., geared for the youngest viewers. A screening of age-appropriate shorts for children ages 2-5 years old with special attention paid to what will make their first movie experience a delight. For an added treat, FACETS provides opportunities for hands-on play activities and live music for  sing-alongs.

Animation Celebration Event (Saturday, Nov. 11 at 10 a.m): CICFF will celebrate the best animated shorts at Chicago History Museum, 1601 N Clark St., with some new and some fan favorites, showcasing a variety of animation styles. FACETS also offers an animation workshop for budding animators and festive food offerings.

Every year FACETS’ Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (CICFF) is proud to present a diverse selection of high-quality films for children and teens from around the world. For the 2023 season, CICFF’s carefully curated selection of several virtual and in-person screenings will fall in five major age brackets:

My First Movies (Ages 2 - 5 years old)

Storytellers(Ages 6 - 8 years old)

Adventurers(Ages 8-10 years old)

Film Mavens (Ages 11-14 years old)

Cineastes (Ages 14 and older)

My First Movies (Ages 2 - 5 years old): CICFF40’s “My First Movies” program strand provides a movie going experience geared towards the youngest viewers, ages 2 - 5 years old, with attention given to high quality content that is diverse and age appropriate. FACETS is intentional in creating an environment that supports the needs and behaviors of young children. They introduce the film program and allow parents to answer questions that may arise while watching, FACETS expects that children might speak out loud sometimes and also expect giggles, belly laughs and a little surprise now and then. No need for embarrassment if children need to get up or walk out to the lobby or spend time in the activity area in the studio space next to the cinema.

Storytellers (Ages 6 - 8 years old): Content for this age group tends to focus on stories from around the world. These could be tall tales, legends from different cultures or amazing adventures that stir the imagination. The accompanying activities will be art activities that allow children to respond to what they have seen creatively and imagine what happens next.

Adventurers (Ages 8 - 10 years old): For ages 8-10, CIFF provides thoughtful films picked to engage kids in new and surprising ways, focusing on programming for curious minds that supports growth development and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and empowering films for girls.

Film Mavens (Ages 11-14 years old): For ages 11-14 CICFFprovides programming that addresses the complexity of coming of age with sensitivity. These young people are coming into their own and the programming assumes that they are the inquisitive, thoughtful and passionate beings they are.

Cineastes (Ages 14+): From the climate crisis to LGBTQ+ rights, these films empower important conversations.

New Dimensions (Ages 18-25+): Unique and diverse films with more mature themes for young adults.

“This year marks the 40th annual FACETS’ CICFF, celebrating the past, present and future of youth cinema from around the world,” said Deidre Searcy, FACETS festival program director. “We are delighted to shine a spotlight and roll out the red carpet for the best films produced for young people ages 2 - 18 and their families. Join us for opening night at the Chicago History Museum for films and family friendly live entertainment. Be sure to check out films for the very youngest audiences at AMC New City or enjoy a celebration of animation with films and make your own animation workshop at the Chicago History Museum.

FACETS Chicago International Children’s Film Festival Mission Statement

Established in 1984, FACETS Chicago International Children’s Film Festival strives to support the work of talented and dedicated filmmakers by showcasing international films of the highest quality and awarding prizes in multiple categories of production formats and genres. The film experiences of young viewers are deepened through a broad range of programs which extend Festival film viewing into discussion and learning.

To maintain its longtime standing as one of the top children's film festivals in the world, films presented in CICFF40 will be issued awards on November 9th  by the CICFF Professional Jury, Youth Jury, and Children's Jury, including in the Academy Award Qualifying Best Animated and Best Live-Action Short Film categories. CICFF juries are composed of independent filmmakers, film industry professionals, educators, parents, and kids and teens who have graduated from FACETS Film 101 summer camp.

About FACETS 

Established in 1975, FACETS expands perspectives and affirms a shared humanity through inclusive engagement with film. FACETS' mission is to create cinematic experiences for youth and adults that foster vital conversations and community action through film exhibitions, media education, and film resources. Learn more at facets.org.

FACETS presents the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (CICFF), the first Academy Award-qualifying international children’s film festivals in the world. The 40thAnnual Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (CICFF40) will be presented November 3 - 19  at FACETS and via national online screening. Tickets are on sale now. Ticket buyers should visit https://cicff40.eventive.org/ to purchase tickets and see the current schedule. The site will be updated regularly as additional programming is finalized.The early bird discount rate, available by using code CICFF40EARLYBIRD15, is valid through October 12 on the festival website.

FACETS’ CICFF40 is supported lead sponsor WTTW; lead program sponsors City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Seabury Foundation, Kirkland and Ellis Foundation, Comer Family Foundation, Liz Stiffel, WBEZ Radio, Illinois Arts Council, A.G. Cox Charitable Trust, National Endowment for the Arts, and Stewart R. Abelson Foundation; program supporting sponsors, Allstate Foundation and Choose Chicago; and program supporter, U.S. Educational Charitable Trust.

FACETS' CICFF OPENS SUBMISSIONS FOR THE 40TH ANNUAL CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FILM FESTIVAL

CICFF40 will take place 

November 3–19, 2023

FACETS' Chicago International Children's Film Festival is excited to announce that submissions are now open for CICFF40. The Festival will run November 3-19, 2023. The Early Deadline for submissions is May 1, 2023 the submission fees are $40 for each short film, and $80 for feature films. The Regular Deadline is May 31, 2023 and submission fees are $60 for each short film and $100 for feature films. FilmFreeway Gold Members receive a 10% discount on all submissions. Submit to CICFF40 through FilmFreeway. Full details here: https://facets.org/programs/facets-cicff-opens-submissions-for-the-40th-annual-chicago-international-childrens-film-festival/

ABOUT CICFF

For almost 40 years CICFF has set the standard of excellence, celebrating films from around the world that break new ground in their approach to storytelling, offer unique or seldom-heard points of view and demonstrate artistic and technical mastery. Our goal is to raise the bar of what films for children and teens can achieve.

CICFF is an advocate for children, prioritizing their human rights and protecting their health and well-being. Films selected for the Festival are child-or teen-driven in their approach to storytelling. The content speaks positively to people of different backgrounds, cultures, and orientations.

We strongly believe that audiences should be engaged, entertained, and enlightened. Films should stimulate discussion and insight into new concepts and motivate active responses from children and teens.

We seek and provide opportunities to connect filmmakers with our festival audiences. In addition to the Festival, CICFF provides year-round thematic programming that promotes media education in the community and the classroom. Through virtual Q&As, available to a worldwide audience, filmmakers have an incomparable opportunity to discuss their work with the widest possible array of viewers.

ORGANIZATION

The Chicago International Children’s Film Festival is the first Academy®-qualifying children’s film festival in the world. Oscar®-qualifying film categories include Live-Action Short Film and Animated Short Film.

Founded in 1984, the CICFF is the oldest children’s film festival in the country and the largest in the world, screening 307 films from 55 countries during the 39th season in 2022.

The Chicago International Children’s Film Festival serves as a global hub for filmmakers and producers of films for young people, as an opportunity to connect with and elevate the aesthetic and production standards for youth cinema production.

Festival films reach unique audiences diverse in age, socioeconomic background, and ethnic heritage, as well as a broad range of children and teens, educators, parents, and peers unduplicated in the youth film festival audience landscape worldwide. At in-person and virtual screening Q&A’s filmmakers have an incomparable opportunity to discuss their work with the widest possible array of viewers.

MISSION

The Chicago International Children’s Film Festival aims to set an internationally recognized standard of excellence in film production for children and youth.

We strive to support the work of talented and dedicated filmmakers by showcasing international films of the highest quality and awarding prizes in multiple categories of production formats and genres. The film experiences of young viewers are deepened through a broad range of programs which extend Festival film viewing into discussion and learning.

The Chicago International Children’s Film Festival is produced and presented by FACETS. FACETS is a nonprofit that connects people to independent ideas through transformative film experiences. Since 1975, we have produced pioneering programs focused on film education, exhibition, and distribution.

As the first Academy®-qualifying children’s film festival in the world, our festival presents the best, most innovative international films for kids and teens. We seek out films that both entertain audiences and challenge them to widen their perspectives. But more importantly, we invite film submissions that are for kids, not simply about them.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Festival films reach unique audiences diverse in age, socioeconomic background, ability, and ethnic heritage, as well as a broad range of children and teens, educators, parents, and peers unduplicated in the youth film festival audience landscape worldwide. At post-screening discussions, filmmakers have an incomparable opportunity to connect with the widest possible array of viewers.

ABOUT FACETS

Established in 1975, FACETS expands perspectives and affirms a shared humanity through inclusive engagement with film. FACETS' mission is to create cinematic experiences for youth and adults that foster vital conversations and community action through film exhibitions, media education, and film resources. Learn more at facets.org

   

WIN TICKETS TO FACETS' 38TH ANNUAL CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL Now Streaming Through NOVEMBER 14

ChiIL Mama’s Chi, IL Picks List:

FLASH GIVEAWAY enter through noon 

Friday 11/12!

Enter HERE for your chance to WIN a 4 movie pass good for your choice of any CICFF films through Sunday 11/14.

The Festival Includes the Launch of Young Adult Program, New Dimensions, In-Person Screenings at FACETS and ChiTown Movies Drive-In with National Streaming through the Eventive Platform 

Here at ChiIL Mama, we've attended, promoted, and volunteered at Chicago International Children's Film Festival as a family for years. I started volunteering at FACETS in 1990, working their box office and concessions a handful of times monthly for decades. Even as technology has changed, FACETS and CICFF remain an invaluable resource in the indy film scene. FACETS Annual Chicago International Children’s Film Festival is still going strong and celebrating their 38th season with a full streaming option, as well as limited in-person screenings in Chicago at FACETS as well as opening night at ChiTown Drive-In. Don't miss this amazing international, multicultural smorgasbord of films for all ages. 

FACETS 38th Annual Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (CICFF), one of only two Academy Award qualifying international children’s film festivals in the world, announces this year’s tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at facets.org.

Presented from Friday, Nov. 5 through Sunday, Nov.14, FACETS is pleased to offer limited in-person screenings as well as the entire festival available via national streaming.  The in-person screenings will take place at FACETS, 1517 W. Fullerton Ave. and Opening Night will be held at ChiTown Drive-In, 2343 S. Throop St.

Also new this year will be the launch of New Dimensions, a program designed for film enthusiasts 18 years old and older. CICFF, traditionally showcasing films for ages 3-18, believes the young adult audience should continue to have the opportunity to experience the best in cinema within this festival that cater to their interests, life-experiences and curiosities. The program will contain more mature content, new innovative, edgy animation and high-quality shorts, documentaries and feature films. The full schedule for the CICFF will be available the day of the ticket on-sale, October 14.  General ticket prices are $10 for in-person and $15 for virtual screening, with festival passes and FACETS’ Members discounts available. Ticket buyers should visit facets.org to view all the ticket options and to purchase tickets. 

Karen Cardarelli, executive director of FACETS said, “Through the many phases of programming over the years, none have had as big of an impact as the current global pandemic.  Last year, we swiftly shifted the festival to an all-virtual format and we are so pleased to once again be welcoming guests for live screenings from around the world.  Our new relationship with ChiTown Movies is one we are extremely excited to offer families as it will bring the thrill of the screen to a safe and outdoor space. We are so committed to maintaining quality programming that we are even expanding and offering more films for young adult and college-aged audiences 18 and older.  We have named this program New Dimensions and with its launch we hope to bring back our much loved audience who may think they have ‘aged out’ of our festival and also those who believe in high quality programming and love experiencing the well-curated cinema in general.” 

Every year FACETS’ Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (CICFF) is proud to present a diverse selection of high-quality films for children and teens from around the world. For the 2021 season, CICFF’s carefully  curated selection of shorts and features presents girls and young women who are powerful and determined and young people who struggle, triumph and are free to express joy through all the stages of growing up. CICFF38 films feature young and upcoming Black actors and directors like Camrus Johnson ("Luke Fox" aka "Batwing" in the CW/HBOMax series Batwoman), and FreeBird, a short that lovingly depicts a child with downs syndrome for the first time ever in an animated film. CICFF38 also showcases familiar family-friendly content like the animated shortRunaway Bunny based on the award-winning book and narrated by Tracie Ellis Ross with music by Mariah Carey and Rufus Wainwright, and the unfamiliar like the live-action, critically acclaimed short for teens, The Right Words that just premiered at Cannes Film Festival and was selected to screen at CICFF.

 

Festival Highlights - FEATURE FILMS 

Any Day Now (Finland) 

Directed by Hamy Ramezan  • Persian with English Subtitles • 82 Minutes • View Trailer • Recommended for ages 11-14

Ramin is 13 years-old and about to start junior high school. He and his Iranian family have been living in a refugee center in Finland. The audience will see their everyday joys, morning rituals before school, parties with friends and how Ramin and his family keep a positive attitude despite the always looming danger of deportation. It is a sweet coming of age story caught in the difficult reality of immigration. As families await final news about their asylum applications, Ramin wonders how to approach a girl he likes. Any Day Now shows the human side of immigration and provides insight into the experiences, challenges and hopes of youth who await news of their status.

 

Ape Star (Sweden)

Directed by Linda Hambäck • English • 74 Minutes • View Trailer • Recommended for ages 6-10

Based on Frida Nilsson’s award-winning novel “The Ape Star,”, this family film brings together Jonna, a young girl who desperately wants to be adopted with her new mom, who to everyone’s surprise is a gorilla.  As the pair overcome their physical differences, they find common ground and learn about love, acceptance and the true meaning of family. They will have to work together to defeat a town bully who not only threatens the future of the orphanage but also tries to break up their new happy home. 

 

Birta (Iceland)

Directed by Bragi Thor Hinrisskon • Icelandic with English subtitles • 85 Minutes • No Trailer Available • Recommended for ages 8 - 14 

Birta, an 11-year old, overhears her single mom talking about their precarious financial status and determines that Christmas may not happen this year. She decides to take on the responsibility for making Christmas possible for the family and goes on a quest to make enough money before the holidays to help her hard-working mom. Birta is a charming, persuasive, young entrepreneur with amazing problem-solving skills. She enlists the help of her younger sister and best friend to sell everything from cookies to frozen fish.  However, not everything goes as planned.  It's not so easy when one is  only eleven years old and trying to keep it all a secret. Birta is fun, family entertainment that will melt a frozen holiday heart but also has lessons about the true meaning of giving and importance of honesty.

 

City of Lost Things (Taiwan)

Directed by Yee Chih-Yen • Chinese with English subtitles • 91 Minutes • View Trailer • Recommended for ages 14+ 

City of Lost Things has a visual style sure to appeal to lovers of sophisticated animation. It centers on Leaf, a 16-year-old struggling urban teenager. He doesn’t think much about his life. He lacks self-confidence and views himself as worthless and disposable. When Leaf skips classes and runs away from home, he ends up, mysteriously, in a place called the City of Lost Things. There he finds discarded, forgotten trash and decides he has finally found a place where he belongs. He befriends Baggy, a plastic bag who doesn’t see himself as just another piece of unwanted junk. Baggy has a purpose in his life and wants Leaf to help him lead his friends and family away from the City of Lost Things. Leaf faces several challenges along the way and must decide who he is and where his loyalties lie. He must also recognize his own value in order to find his true purpose.

 

Dear Werner (Walking on Cinema) (Spain)

Directed by Pablo Maqueda • English • 79 Minutes • View Trailer • Recommended for ages 18+

In 1974 Werner Herzog walked from Munich to Paris, an act of faith to prevent the death of his mentor Lotte Eisner. In 2020, a young filmmaker follows in Herzog ́s footsteps in an act of love to one of the best filmmakers of our time. Pablo Maqueda collaborated with Herzog and the resulting film has been described as poetic, inspirational and beautiful.  This “film letter” is a meditation on filmmaking and a must see for admirers of Werner and lovers of film. 

 

Youth v Gov (United States)

Directed by Christi Cooper • English • 109 Minutes • View Trailer • Recommended for ages 11+

This inspiring documentary follows the lives of a group of brave, young American citizens from across the country who decide to take on the world’s most powerful government. Twenty-one courageous youth lead a groundbreaking lawsuit against the U.S. government, asserting that it has willfully acted over six decades to create a climate crisis, thus endangering their constitutional rights to life, liberty and property. Youth v. Gov not only informs but motivates young people to take action.

 

Festiva Highlights - SHORTS 

DỌLÁPỌ̀ IS FINE (United Kingdom)Directed by Ethosheia Hylton • English and Yoruba with English subtitles • 15 Minutes • View Trailer • Recommended for ages 11+

Nigerian teenager, Dọlápọ̀ attends a British boarding school. She is bright, fun and free-spirited but when she tries to find a job in London’s financial center, she is pressured by a Nigerian female mentor to abandon her natural hairstyle, wear a wig and use a nickname that is easier to pronounce. Dọlápọ̀ is faced with questions about her identity and self-image. She must decide if she is willing to change who she is in order to meet the expectations of others.

 

Salt (United States)

Directed by Alicia Scott Nichols • Nonverbal • 6 Minutes • Recommended for ages 6-10

This beautifully animated short depicts West Africa near the Senegalese city of Dakar where for generations the people have harvested salt at Lake Retba. Young Sanura learns to find her joy one afternoon, during the salt harvest, working alongside her mother.

Stairs (Mongolia)

Directed by Zoljargal Purevdash • Mongolian with English subtitles • 12 Minutes • View Trailer • Recommended for ages 11+

Stairs is an inspirational story about Sonor, a talented young man who uses a wheelchair. His goal is to get the additional training he needs to land his dream job.  While issues of access and the attitudes of others about disabilities threaten to stand in his way, it is his young sister’s love and unwavering support that inspires and helps him to overcome the obstacles and see his dream fulfilled.

Vanille (France)

Directed by Guillaume Lorin • French with English subtitles • 29 Minutes • View Trailer • Recommended for ages 8-10

Vanille is a fresh example of innovative TV that mixes animation and live action backgrounds to tell the story of Vanille, a feisty, 9-year-old girl who is bi-racial.  Vanille straightens her hair every morning because she doesn’t like the way it looks. She reluctantly leaves her home in Paris to visit her aunt in Guadeloupe. She finds herself on a journey that takes her to the heart of the lush tropical rainforest to battle a shapeshifting creature in order to lift a strange curse. The real journey, for Vanille however, is finding out who she is, where she comes from and learning to love herself just the way she is.

FACETS Chicago International Children’s Film Festival Mission Statement

Established in 1984, FACETS Chicago International Children’s Film Festival strives to support the work of talented and dedicated filmmakers by showcasing international films of the highest quality and awarding prizes in multiple categories of production formats and genres. The film experiences of young viewers are deepened through a broad range of programs which extend Festival film viewing into discussion and learning. 

To maintain its longtime standing as one of the top children's film festivals in the world, films presented in CICFF38 will be issued awards at its conclusion by the CICFF Professional Jury, Youth Jury, and Children's Jury, including in the Academy Award Qualifying Best Animated and Best Live-Action Short Film categories. CICFF juries are composed of independent filmmakers, film industry professionals, educators, parents, and kids and teens who have graduated from FACETS Film 101 summer camp. 

About FACETS  

FACETS  connects people to independent ideas through transformative film experiences. Founded by the late Milos Stehlik in 1975,  FACETS  inspires audiences to engage with film not simply as entertainment, but as an exciting tool to bridge cultural divides, promote digital literacy, and expand perspectives through empathy-driven storytelling.  

FACETS presents the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (CICFF), one of only two Academy Award-qualifying international children’s film festivals in the world. The 38th Annual Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (CICFF38) will be presented November 5 - 14 at FACETS and Chi-Town Drive In. Learn more: facets.org.

FACETS’ CICFF38 is supported by the Alphawood Foundation Chicago, Comer Family Foundation, NEA Art Works, Illinois Arts Agency (partial support), Kirckland & Ellis LLP, Prince Charitable Trust, Allstate, Conant Family Foundation, Stuart & Jesse Abelson Foundation, Seabury Foundations (New Dimensions program), Sterling Bay, and WTTW.

WIN A Family Pass ($75 Value/2 Winners) To The 35th Annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival November 1st-9th, 2018

ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List: 

35th Annual Chicago International 

Children's Film Festival 

November 1st-9th, 2018

Get your tickets to watch the best films for kids and teens! Here at ChiIL Mama, we're elated to partner up with Facets and the Chicago International 

Children's Film Festival on an excellent ticket giveaway for our readers. I volunteered at Facets from 1990 to 2016, and my teens grew up enjoying award winning family friendly films from around the world at the annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival (CICFF). We highly recommend CICFF for tots through teens, and even adults. 

Enter Below for your chance to WIN

A Family Pass ($75 Value/2 Winners) To The 35th Annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival through midnight October 30th, 2018

Pass contains 20 tickets

Each ticket admits one to any public Festival screening

Pass must be presented at the box office

No refunds on individual tickets

ChiIL Flicks On Our Radar

The Festival is a legendary Chicago cultural institution for
globally-minded, creative families, educators, and media
professionals.

Their mission is to seek out and champion films that
represent the best of their kind and can adequately speak
to the experience of contemporary kids and teens.

The Festival is run by Facets, a pioneering nonprofit
that connects over 30,000 people annually to independent

ideas through transformative film experiences.

Get the ultimate Festival experience. 

With a Festival pass, you can watch the best films from around the world for kids and teens right here in Chicago.

Family Pass - $75
Get a 20 ticket pass for your family to use at any Festival screening.

Pass contains 20 tickets
Each ticket admits one to any public Festival screening
Pass must be presented at the box office
No refunds on individual tickets




Lineup:
Get tickets or family passes in advance and check out the full lineup right here.

Enter for your chance to WIN

A 20 Ticket Family Pass ($75 Value/2 Winners) To The 35th Annual 
Chicago International Children's Film Festival  through midnight October 30th, 2018

Pass contains 20 tickets

Each ticket admits one to any public Festival screening

Pass must be presented at the box office

No refunds on individual tickets

ENTER HERE

Disclosure: Here at ChiIL Mama, we're elated to partner up with Facets and the Chicago International Children's Film Festival on an excellent ticket giveaway for our readers. We have been compensated and/or given complimentary tickets for our giveaway and review purposes. As always, all opinions are my own. 

Check Out The 34th Annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival Through Nov 5th, 2017

ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List:

Award winning films from around the world, 

and creative and though-provoking 

workshops and symposia for 

Facets' 34th Chicago International Children's Film Festival

Attendance prices are very moderate, ranging from $20 to $50, with one free event - Facets Members receive a discount on all events.

The full Festival workshop schedule, film schedule, ticketing information, field trip bookings, and Festival Family passes are available now at www.facets.org/cicff.



The lineup for workshops and symposia for the 34th Festival is packed full of fun events that will activate the imaginations of kids, teens, and adults. The core of Facets and the Festival's missions are to foster a lifelong appreciation for film as art and expression. The workshops and symposia are an extension of our curated film programs and media education during our screenings, and are both educational and entertaining. 

Damián Perea, filmmaker and producer of the Animayo International Film Festival in the Canary Islands, will lead a bilingual (Spanish and English) stop-motion animation workshop at Instituto Cervantes called "¡Animate with Animayo!" on November 3. Last, but certainly not least, Mauro D'Addio, who directed Festival Film On Wheels, will instruct the "After the Table Read" workshop on November 25.

Festival Professional Jury member and award winning filmmaker Anahita Ghazvinizadeh will be leading both "Real Deal Documentary" workshops on November 3 & 5.

It is important to note that Friday, November 3 is a Chicago Public Schools in-service day and students will not have class.

Facets' 34th Chicago International Children's Film Festival runs from October 27 - November 5, 2017, with screenings at 8 Chicagoland locations. Festival workshops and symposia take place at Facets and Instituto Cervantes on October 28 & 29 and November 3 & 5. The full Festival workshop schedule, film schedule, ticketing information, and field trip bookings. 




Festival Family passes are available now at www.facets.org/cicff.

Facets' Chicago International Children's Film Festival presents the best, most innovative film and educational experiences for kids, teens, families, students, and industry professionals. The Festival is operated by Facets, a nonprofit that connects 30k+ people annually to independent ideas through transformative film experiences. 

CICFF 30th Anniversary Schedule & $40 Family Pass #ChiILPicksList

I've been a volunteer at Facets Multimedia for 23+ years.   And I've adored and attended the Children's Film Festival since long before I had kids of my own.  My tweens who are 10 & 12 grew up on the fest and are eagerly anticipating this year's lineup which features more tween features in addition to all the early childhood and elementary age favs.

Check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often.   We'll have our ChiIL Picks List up shortly.

We sat down and picked the brains of projectionists and staff at Facets about their favorites and we'll be adding our own wish list as well.   What will you see? It's a multicultural feast of fam friendly cinema.

Of course you'll want to adapt the schedule to the ages & tastes of your kids.   If you plan to hit more than one show, buy a family pass.   It's a smokin' deal at just $40!   But go early to the screenings you want to see. Entry is limited by capacity.

This year's CICFF features the absolute best in new world cinema for kids of all ages. The programs we've designed to celebrate our 30th anniversary will empower and inspire the next generation of film lovers. Join us and take amazing journeys with a wealth of character-driven stories, painterly and cutting edge animation, and thoughtful resolutions. Every screening at the CICFF is a visual treat for the whole family.

The Family Pass is on sale now.

The best family entertainment deal in Chicago

Click here and get your family pass today!

CLICK HERE FOR SCHEDULE

This was one of our fav Halloween children's books when the kids were small.

Guessing Game... Can you guess the films these images came from?   Check the schedule & discover some of our top ChiIL Picks.

Like Japanese anime... French fare... Halloween themes... grrrrl power... martial arts... Fantastic Planet remastered?   There's something for everyone!!

Chicago International Children's Film Festival Awards Announced #CICFF

Thank you for making the 2012 Festival a success!  

And, be sure to mark your calendars for the 30th annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival, October 25 - November 3, 2013.

The best in films for children, youth and families from around the world, right here in Chicago!  

2012 Festival Awards Announced!

Congratulations to filmmakers, juries and audiences for your hard work and dedication to creating and supporting the best in media for children and young adults. You inspire us! 

Check out the winners.   Many of these movies can be rented at Facets, purchased or watched on line.    I saw a fabulous northern European film, Iris, that I'd highly recommend for tweens and up.   Iris is a young girl living a pampered life with her independent mother, Ester, in fast-paced Stockholm. Since Iris interacts mainly with adults, she feels quite mature for her age. However, when Ester, a professional artist, finds she must travel to Paris for a summer exhibition, there is no alternative but for Iris to return to the small, remote island of her mother’s youth to live with Uncle Elias and his family. Iris is suddenly thrust into a world of chores and children— a vast difference from the big city. Just as she warms to working hard and playing with other children, a town secret turns her views on family upside down.

With the help of her newfound friends, Iris begins to understand the true meaning of family and discovers who she really is as a young person. Screened in Swedish, with English subtitles.

Another friend of ours went to Ways to Live Forever (Spain) with her 11 year old son and he said it's the best film he's EVER seen.

Sam is a 12-year-old leukemia patient who chronicles his daily challenges with a self-narrated video diary. After befriending the more daring Felix, a fellow leukemia patient, Sam develops an elaborate bucket list of goals that he wishes to fulfill before he dies. Though Sam believes most of these tasks are impos- sible, it is Felix who encourages Sam that they are not out of reach.

With the help of his friends and family, Sam is able to break a world record, watch a horror movie, and even kiss a girl! But when Sam’s father discovers the list and video diary, his paternal denial gets in the way of Sam’s journey. Ultimately, father and son positively confront and recognize their feelings surrounding Sam’s illness.

Ways to Live Forever is an exploration of dying—both physically and spiritually—from a tween’s point of view, told with humor and grace. Featuring beautiful ensemble acting by Ben Chaplin, Greta Scacchi, Emilia Fox, Phyllida Law, Alex Etel, and Robbie Kay as Sam. Screened in English.

Get Even More Animated At This Year's Children's Film Festival

October 26 - November 4, 2012 I've been a volunteer at Facets Multimedia for 22 years this September and I was an avid fan of the Children's International Film Festival long before I had children of my own.   Whether you're in charge of introducing your children to world class multicultural offerings, or you're a child at heart, check out the fabulous films and workshops this year.   Highly recommended!

Three major animation studios, Pixar, Aardman, and LAIKA Studios, have teamed up with Facets' 29th annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival for an exciting array of screenings and workshops during this year's festival, from October 26 to November 4. **LAIKA Studios, the makers of ParaNorman and Coraline, present their "Stop Motion Magic" workshop at Facets Multi-Media on Saturday, October 27, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. $25 for Facets members and $30 for non-members. LAIKA will also present special Halloween screenings and events for their most recent hit film ParaNorman at the historic Music Box Theater October 27, at 10 a.m., and the Logan Center for the Arts in Hyde Park October 28, at 6 p.m. Both screenings include a special Q&A with LAIKA Studio's Mark Shapiro and a zombie costume contest for the kids. **The British animation studio Aardman, which produced the wildly popular Wallace and Gromit series and their new hit The Pirates! Band of Misfits, offers their clay animation workshop "Genius of Stop Motion" at Facets on Saturday, October 27, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. $65 for Facets members and $75 for non-members. On Saturday, October 28, at 11:30, Aardman Studio's Creative Director will host a special Halloween screening and discussion of The Pirates! Band of Misfits at the Music Box Theater.** Adults are not left out! Aardman is also conducting a behind-the-scenes look for adults called "Behind the Genius of Aardman" at Facets on October 28, at 7:00 p.m. Registration is $30. Pixar joins the festival on November 3 for "Tribute to Pixar Animation." This presentation of Pixar shorts and post-screening discussion with a Pixar artist will be at the Music Box Theater on Saturday, November 3, at 9:30 a.m. Register for all festival workshops here, or by calling 773-281-9075, ext. 3011. Space is limited so registration must be done in advance.  The schedule and tickets for every screening are also available at www.facets.org/kids.   The 29th annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival is October 26 to November 4. It is the largest festival of films for children in North America, boasting over 240 films from 51 countries. This year's Festival includes: short films that bolster English literacy; the annual Tribute to French Animation; and Halloween shorts with presentations, workshops, and costume contests. The Festival will welcome over 23,000 attendees, including nearly 100 filmmakers, who will lead Q&A sessions and workshops at venues across Chicago. The CICFF showcases the best in culturally-diverse, value-affirming new cinema for children and youth, as well as entertaining and educational programs for teachers, parents, and caregivers. The first Academy Award-qualifying children's film festival in the world, the CICFF has distinguished itself over the years with an array of interactive programs and workshops designed for children, youth, and adults.

The Chicago International Children's Film Festival is a program of Facets Multi-Media, a nonprofit organization that for 38 years has been dedicated to the exhibition, distribution and education of foreign, independent, and classic cinema.

Facets Film Camp #Cool Camps for Chi IL Kids

Facets Kids Film Camp Teaches About Movies
from Behind the Scenes

Facets Kids Film Camp, presented by Facets Children’s Programs, is a summer program that introduces kids ages 7-14 to the techniques, language, and process of filmmaking. Professional filmmakers and respected critics provide expert instruction in what it takes to understand, create, and review a film. For over 10 years, Facets Kids Film Camp has given children who love movies a chance to understand filmmaking from behind the scenes. Instruction covers topics such as camera angles, lighting, sound recording, acting, and screenwriting, while providing dozens of hands-on activities, including writing reviews and making a movie.
 
Friends and family are invited to a special graduation ceremony featuring the world premiere of the participants’ completed movies at the end of the program.

Facets Kids Film Camp is broken into three summer sessions. Session 1 includes two weeks of half-day sessions from June 18-29, with kids ages 11-14 meeting in the morning and kids ages 7-10 meeting in the afternoon. Session 2 is a week of full-day sessions for ages 11-14 from July 9-13. Session 3 is a week of full-day sessions for ages 7-10 from July 16-20. Lunch is included for both full-day sessions.

Graduates of Facets Kids Film Camp are eligible for participation in other prestigious film programs at Facets, including the Children’s Jury for the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival – where jurors view, critique, and award prizes for the 2012 Festival – and the Facets Film Ambassador program, which sends kids as delegates to international film festivals in Italy, Korea, India, and Canada.

Facets Kids Film Camp will be held at Facets Multi-Media, 1517 West Fullerton Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614. Registration fee ranges from $350 to $450 based on session. To register, call 773-281-9075 ext. 3011, or email kidsfest@facets.org

Founded in 1975, Facets Multi-Media is a Chicago-based non-profit media arts organization dedicated to making film accessible to all through cinema education, distribution, presentation, and preservation, with an emphasis on the best in classic, world, and independent cinema. Facets Children’s Programs presents the annual Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, which is the largest festival of children’s films in North America, along with various year-round film programs.

For further information call 773-281-9075 or visit www.facets.org/kids
 

Facets Multi-Media | 1517 W. Fullerton Ave. | Chicago, IL 60614 | Facets Multi-Media, founded in 1975, is a non-profit, 501(C)3 organization, and a leading national media arts organization.