Home

Scroll down for the latest Facets Children's Programs news for kids, parents, filmmakers & educators!  

30th annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival
October 25 - November 3, 2013

For Kids & Parents:

Second Saturdays - Family Screenings at Facets!

The second Saturday of every month join us for the 'best of the Fest' Second Saturday family screenings at Facets Cinema. With a show at 9:30am for our youngest audiences (2-7) and 11am for older children or youth (8+) our Second Saturday screenings will feature short film programs and feature films that family can enjoy; in cluding encore screenings of some past Festival favorites! 

Join us for our next screenings, Saturday, May 11 and June 8. 

CLICK HERE for program details and tickets! 

Film Criticism Immersion 
Fathers on Film: Passing Down Myth and History 

Saturday, June 15 - 1pm-4pm
Facets Multi-Media (1517 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago)
Ages 11-15
$25 non-members / $20 members
The workshop fee is “Twofer”: one fee for both parent and child to participate

REGISTER ONLINE  or contact us by phone or email. 

CLICK HERE for PDF about the workshop.  

How does history become myth? How does a myth get in the way of the truth? How do myth and history work in tandem to create wonder in film? Who are classic father figures in film? And what are must-see films to pass down to the next generation?

View film trailers and clips to further explore the roles of father figures in classic film genres such as: Western, Science-Fiction/Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Biopics, and Horror. 

Working in teams and through interactive exercises, father and child pairs will use their own historical event to craft a film story with mythic overtones. Led by Dave Canfield, film critic, blogger, and one of the founding members of Twitch Film. 

Weston Woods - From Page to Screen: Brining a Book to Life

Thursday, June 27 - 10am-11:30am
Facets Multi-Media (1517 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago)
Ages 11-15
$35 non-members / $30 members
The workshop fee is “Twofer”: one fee for both parent and child to participate

REGISTER ONLINE  or contact us by phone or email. 

CLICK HERE for PDF about the workshop.   

Wonder what it takes to flip a great book into a great film?

Find out with the award-winning experts from Weston Woods.

Weston Woods Director of Production, Paul Gagne and New York Times bestselling author and illustrator, Tom Lichtenfeld will cover:

• Book selection process for adaptation
• Animation creation process
• Illustration behind the scenes
• Bringing storyboards to life
• Finding the perfect narrator

Through demonstrations and interactive audience exercises, you’ll get the inside story, learn how to take the treasured creation of an author and illustrator to the next level: animation.

Emerging readers and picture book lovers, heads up! You won’t want to miss this rare visit from New York, in which you get a sneak preview of their work-in-progress, “Cloudette”. Become a master multimedia storyteller!

Facets Kids Film Camp - Space still available in 1/2 day June & July sessions

Do you love movies? Facets Kids Film Camp introduces kids ages 7-14 to the techniques, language and process of filmmaking. Professional filmmakers and respected critics provide a foundation in what it takes to understand, create, and review a film. June & July, full & half day sessions offered. FIND OUT MORE!

Facets Film Ambassadors  

Do you love movies AND travel? Then check out the Facets Film Ambassadors program where youth ages 13-17 get an opportunity to represent Facets, Chicago and the United States at prestigious film festivals in India, Canada, India or Korea as part of their youth juries.  

CLICK HERE to find out more and to apply.  

Save the Date! 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!  

Year-Round Screenings and Workshops

There are activities for the family year-round! Check out our Second Saturday screening schedule with movies for the whole family each month AND weekend workshops scheduled throughout the year.  

Submit Your Film to the 2013 Festival!

Calling all child and youth filmmakers - Have you made a movie? Then consider entering it in the Chicago International Children's Film Festival. There's no fee for films made by young people 18 and younger.  

CLICK HERE for submission details (Scroll down to access the Young Filmmaker Entry Form.)

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! 

Award List Archives 

Movie-Themed Birthday Parties & Events at Facets

No Bullies, Please!   

Check out these popular short film programs that foster discussion and promote understanding, tolerence and respect. Programs for grades Pre-K through 8th. 

 

A Cinco de Mayo Celebration!

Celebrate Mexican heritage with these charming and poignant short films from Mexico, Canada and the United States.  

 

Girls POV 

What is a uniquely “girl’s point of view”? Discover girls and young women’s roles, identities, outlooks, and dynamics in these programs for grade levels K-12. These girls do not let other people assumptions set any limits on their POV!

 

Celebrate World Heritage & Language

Facets Group Screenings offer a wide array of programs celebrating world heritage and language. Check out some of these fantastic programs!

African and African American Stories
Mexican Heritage
Jewish Heritage
Asian Heritage 
Native American Heritage
French Language

Year-Round Group Film Screenings

Check out our specially themed group film programs for grades Pre-K through High School. Subjects include Anti-Bullying, Holidays, Films Based on Books, Celebrating African American, Asian, and Jewish Heritage, and more! All films are official selections of the Chicago International Children's Film Festival. We invite you and your students to see relevant, curriculum supported films in an exciting environment guaranteed to create memories that last a lifetime.

In-School Screenings also available.

Contact: Group Sales Coordinator 
773-281-9075 ext. 3009
fldtrips@facets.org

NEW! Group Screening Curriculum 

The Facets Children’s Programs – Group Screening Curriculum is aligned with the Common Core State Standards and the Fine Arts Standards. The Festival Film Unit is a flexible base for a learning adventure that engages every student. Teachers have a range of activity and assessment options for pre-K through high school. Find out more about enriching your classroom through the power of film. All it takes is a trip to the movies! 

Group Screening Information 

Group Screening Curriculum Overview 

 

Get Connected:

Children's Film Fest Facebook Group

Our new CICFF Children’s Facebook Group has just launched, giving children ages 7-16 the opportunity to write reviews, discuss movies, win movie tickets, and collaborate on film-related activities with other kids their age. To learn more, click here.

 

Digital Citizens for Facets Films

Parents and teachers, we've compiled some information and resources on media literacy to help you guide kids towards becoming empowered digital citizens. Click here to learn more, and Like our Facebook page for parents and teachers to participate in the conversation.

 

The Impact of Your Support

CLICK HERE to watch Facets' Children's Programs in action! 

  

The Chicago International Children's Film Festival provides media education programs to students throughout the city and surrounding areas. Thanks to everyone who has donated time and resources to make this programming possible. 

 

Connect with Facets Children's Programs: