Office of Arts Education

Facets Multi-Media/Chicago International Children’s Film Festival

The Chicago International Children’s Film Festival is the largest and longest running festival of films for children in the U.S. and the only Academy-qualifying children’s festival in the world.  In 2008, the CICFF will celebrate its 25th year of showcasing the best in culturally diverse, non-violent, value-affirming new cinema for school groups and families.  With more than 26,000 children, adults and educators in attendance, the Festival programs over 200 films and videos from 40 countries each year.  Nearly 100 filmmakers, media professionals and celebrities also attend the annual Festival to talk to children and lead interactive workshops.

The CICFF offers year-round arts education programs for children, educators and parents, including: CineStudy Spotlight screenings of important new films for grades 8-12; Reel Poetry, which uses short films based on poems to teach children about poetry; Young Chicago Critics, a summer camp introducing children to film aesthetics, moviemaking and written critique; Best of Fest in-school screenings of short multicultural films for grades K-3; the Dream Screen Animation Workshop, an 8-day arts residency in which children create an animated film based on a poem that they select, study and perform; and professional development workshops for teachers on “Taming Media” (pre school-K) and “Using Media to Improve Skills and Scores” (K-12) are taught throughout the year.

Overview of School Programs/Services

Classroom Support/Curricular Alignment