Chicago International Children's Film Festival Number 31 Is Here #ChiILFlixPicks #ChiILPicksList

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Here at ChiIL Mama we've volunteered at Facets box office from 1990-2014. That's 24 years!! During that time we've volunteered at Kids' Fest and covered it in the media. We've reviewed films, interviewed filmmakers, and watched this fab fest sprout and grow into the largest CICFF yet. This year's Festival features:  288 films from 43 countries selected from over 3000 entries screened in venues across the city  29,000 film lovin' kids, parents, and teachers ChiIL Mama will be there... will YOU?! Must See List: Of course the lineup of must see will vary widely on the ages of your kids & personal taste. We're super jazzed for A Letter to MOMO, a favorite of ours from a past CICFF year when we saw a subtitled version. Now it's back in a new English language version. A LETTER TO MOMOAnimated Feature Film (Japan)Grades 5-10+, Ages 10-16+140 min. (weekday - film + media education)120 min. (weekend - film running time only) After attending her father’s funeral, a grieving 13-year-old Momo discovers an unfinished letter in her father’s desk with only two words: “Dear Momo...” Wanting desperately to know what her father had planned to write her, Momo tries to search for clues, but first she must deal with the appearance of three meddling goblins, visible only to her, that steal immense amounts of food and cause problems for Momo and her mother. However, she eventually learns that the goblins may have some connection to her father in the afterlife, so when her mother’s depression turns into life-threatening illness, Momo enlists the help of these unlikely friends who help her discover just how strong she can be in times of grief. Themes: Courage; Communicating grief; Adventure; Discovery; Friendship NEW! English language version.  $40.00 Unlimited Family Pass: CICFF Runs Through November 2 Get more Fest for less!  Order your Family Pass today! GET YOUR FAMILY PASS Online or in our Facets Rental Store  For only $40, your family of four can come to the Flick or Treat screening, and all the other screenings during the Festival!  Get the full schedule at facets.org

Let's Get Multi-Culti! Here at ChiIL Mama we love that life in the big city allows us the opportunity to introduce our kids to people, culture, film, music, art, ideas and food from all over our amazing world. Check out the following French children's film.

Alliance Française de Chicago

54 W. Chicago Avenue

Chicago IL 60610

312-337-1070

www.af-chicago.org

The Chicago International Children’s Film Festival

comes to the Alliance!

Join us for a special French language selection from the CICFF exclusive to the Alliance.

Saturday, November 1^st

9:30 a.m./ 11:30 a.m./1:00 p.m.

9:30 a.m. Le Coq de Saint-Victor (90 mn.) – Age 5-8

By Pierre Greco, in French with English subtitles

A goûter with treats from Quebec will be served at the entr’acte.

11:30 a.m. Prévert, Poetry and a Preference for Carrots (68 mn.) – Age 10-16

In French with English subtitles

Refreshments will be served at the entr’acte.

1 p.m. A Tribute to Folimage Studios (73 mn.) – Age 10-16

In French with English subtitles

Admission $6 for Children, $9 for Adults

Le Coq de St-Victor (90 min.) - Ages 5-8 by Pierre Greco

Saturday, November 1st at 9:30 a.m

In French

For seven years, the residents of St-Victor have woken up bright and early every morning, thanks to their mayor’s raucous rooster that crows at 4 AM. Once the residents are awake, St-Victor is booming and prosperous, a fact the mayor takes a great pride in. Some of the residents eventually grow tired of this routine and decide to oust the rooster in exchange for a lucky donkey. Now they can enjoy the pleasures of sleeping in, but it’s not long before their neglect causes town to fall apart. Will the people of St-Victor be able to bring back their rooster and find the perfect balance between work and play before it’s too late?

Prévert, Poetry, and a Preference for Carrots (68 min.) - Ages 10-16

Saturday, November 1^st at 11:30 a.m

In French with English subtitles

Introduction to this program led by the Alliance’s Philippe Schaller, director of Chez Kids Academy

En sortant de l’école is a collection of 12 animated adaptations of poems from the great French poet and screenwriter Jacques Prévert. Each poem is brought to life in a variety of styles with the talent and graphic creativity of young directors just out of French animation schools. En sortant is paired with Scent of Carrots, a short about a carrot-loving rabbit who befriends a nut-loving squirrel. Bon appétit!

A tribute to Folimage Studios (73 min.) - Ages 10-16

Saturday, November 1^st at 1 p.m

In French with English subtitles

Founded in 1981, Folimage Studios specializes in creating animation films. Folimage Studios is the genius behind A Cat in Paris, nominated for an Oscar in 2012 in the Best Animated Feature category and winner of the CICFF’s top children jury prize for animated feature in 2011.

             

Smart Films, Smart Kids - The 2014 Chicago International Children's Film Festival offers even more than just a good time at the movies.

From October 24 through November 2, 2014, Facets' Chicago International Children's Film Festival returns to celebrate its 31tst anniversary of presenting the best in child and youth cinema from around the world. This year's CICFF will feature over 270 films, from over 50 countries, selected from over 3000 entries at venues across the Chicago including the Alliance Française.

For more information and to register for Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, Click Here

A bientôt!

Think Globally-Cherry Blossoms for Japan

In Merit School choir last year,  both kids learned songs in many different languages, from different cultures around the world.   One of their favorites is Sakura, the Japanese Cherry Blossom Song.  Sakura means cherry blossoms in Japanese and the song details the flowers blooming in the spring and the sweet smell in the air.    Children traditionally sing this classic in the spring, when the flowers first open.   It has a hauntingly beautiful melody.

We have a number of family friends in Japan and while my parents were up for Du's 10th birthday last weekend, they were frantically trying to reach everyone.   By Sunday we had heard back from all of the families, and they had all survived the earthquake and resulting tsunami without injury.    Still, we feel so much empathy and sorrow for all those who weren't so lucky, and those who survived but are now facing a nuclear crisis and shortages of basic necessities.   Three generations of our family got on line last Sunday and Skyped with our closest friends there, a Japanese surgeon and his wife.

Sagezilla started to sing Sakura for Chiyuki and Yoko and their faces lit up in happy recognition.   Then they began to sing along with her--a trio of voices bridging an ocean.   It still amazes me that we can see our friends on video, half way around the world, and join them in a children's folk song.   It had me tearing up.

There is so much compassion and love for people whose countries are ravaged by natural disasters.    We were thrilled that Little Miss Ann put out some great energy and acknowledged the Japanese people with an American cherry song last Sunday.   Please send positive energy and take time to lead by example and teach your children empathy.   Jump and dance and celebrate life and love with your children.   If you can help monetarily as a family, we have added a button to the bottom blog bar here at ChiIL Mama where you can donate to Red Cross for Japanese humanitarian aid.   

As spring comes, we are wishing Japan cherry blossoms, good smells, kind deeds, and new growth from the death and destruction.