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Fantastic Flicks Made by Kids for Kids: 22nd CICFF Highlights Works of Young Filmmakers

Chicago IL – Who knows better how to make a film for kids than kids themselves? This year, an ever-increasing amount of children from all over the world have submitted self-produced films to the 22nd annual Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (October 27th – November 6th). From live-action to animation, the CICFF will screen these innovative works at two special showings highlighting the best child-produced work at Top Kid Pix—Young Filmmakers Forum I II (Sunday, October 30, 5 p.m. & Sunday, November 6, 1 p.m.) – both programs will be screened at the Vittum Theatre (1012 N. Noble Street).

Over 90 young filmmakers aged 4 – 17 submitted their films to compete in the 2005 CICFF and 26 of these innovative and inspiring films were chosen to screen at the largest and longest running children’s film festival in North America. Clay animation, live action, and documentary – these young filmmakers have done it all. Share their creations and visions, and be inspired by the latest and greatest achievements by young filmmakers from the Americas to Asia and everywhere in between.

Come be amazed by the creativity and skill these young filmmakers have to offer, and the wide range of subject matter they conquer. In Fishing with Craig, 14 year-old Young Chicago Critics graduate, Dane Schubert, works through the pain of losing a loved one; in Genie in a Bottle: Unleashed, Trace Gaynor and Steven Sotor’s second film screened at CICFF, comments on the Manhattan Project.

Holding their own against these CICFF veterans are the following films: Adventures of the Shoes, produced by this year’s
youngest filmmakers aged 4 to 6 from Finland, invites you to journey to a special animated shoe museum. Toys call out to you to play in a whimsical land animated by 8-year-old filmmaker, Peter Gunderling. The Selfish Giant, produced by a group of Scottish 13- year-olds from special needs schools, tackles the feeling of loneliness that accompanies selfishness. Discover what 11-year- old Akshay Marathe from India knows to be the secret that brings real happiness irrespective of problems, and social and economic constraints in The Gift.

Nicole Dreiske founded the Chicago International Children’s Film
Festival twenty two years ago and created a remarkable forum; one in which issues of awareness, media content and critical viewing could be discussed and applied. “There’s an overwhelming amount of media available for children, but little shared understanding of how to find and program films that engage children creatively,” said Ms. Dreiske, “One of the best ways the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival has found to overcome this challenge is by getting children to take an active role with media and make their own movies – and these are films you don’t want to miss.”

Top Kid Pix-Young Filmmakers Forum I

Sunday, October 30
5:00 p.m. Vittum Theater
Top Kid Pix –Young Filmmakers Forum
81 minutes
Ages 8 to 13

Pop Art (USA, 2005) 1 min
Dancing Skeleton (USA, 2005) 1 min
Magical Lesson (Mexico, 2005) 4 min
Goulaff (Belgium, 2004) 2 min
The Green Worm (USA, 2005) 3 min
Adventures of the Shoes (Finland, 2005) 5 min
Godzilla vs Gigantus (USA, 2004) 8 min
Color Crazy (Wales, UK, 2004) 3 min
The Selfish Giant (Scotland, UK, 2004) 6 min
The Phantom’s Opera (Mexico, 2004) 4 min
Toys (USA, 2005) 5 min
Camel and Cactus (Taiwan R.O.C., 2005) 4 min
When the Lights Went Out (USA, 2004) 4 min
The Legend (UK, 2004) 10 min
A Case On A Peel (USA, 2004) 3 min
We Are (India, 2005) 5 min
Gangz (USA, 2005) 2 min
The Incredible Splat (UK, 2004) 3 min
Green Tee (Canada, 2005) 8 min

Top Kid Pix II- Young Filmmaker’s Forum

Sunday, November 6
1:00 p.m. Vittum Theater
Top Kid Pix II – Young Filmmakers Forum
80 minutes
Ages 8 to 13

Pop Art (USA, 2005) 1 min
The Brave Cat (Mexico, 2004) 3 min
The Gift (India, 2005) 6 min
Happy Day (Croatia, 2005) 2 min
A Message From An Alien (Canada, 2004) 1 min
Kill the Rock (USA, 2004) 3 min
Goodbye Howard (USA, 2005) 7 min
Genie in a Bottle: Unleashed (USA, 2005) 15 min
Fine Art (USA, 2005) 10 min
Fishing with Craig (USA, 2005) 10 min
Horsezilla vs. Chimpkong (USA, 2005) 2 min
Breakdancing, Through the Eyes of the Street (USA, 2004) 10 min
Dream Screen II 10 min

Admission to film screenings is $6 for children and $8 for adults.

Group discounts are available. Advanced ticket sales are available online starting October 1st via Ticketweb.

A complete schedule is available on-line at < a href="www.cicff.org">www.cicff.org

For more information call Kasia Iverson at (773) 281-9075 or email kasia@facets.org.

Funding provided by:
3M Foundation, A. Frank & Dorothy B. Rothschild Fund, Albert Pick Jr. Fund, Alphawood Foundation, American Airlines, Anita Orlikoff, Best Buy Children’s Foundation, Café Ba Ba Reeba, Carpenter School, Chicago Community Trust, City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs - "CityArts", Cosmopolitan Bank & Trust, Days Inn-Lincoln Park North, Donald W. Collier Charitable Trust, Hancock Observatory, Hot Topic Foundation, Howard R. Conant Jr., Illinois Bureau of Tourism, Illinois Film Office, Irving Harris Foundation, JP Morgan Chase Foundation, Karen Carter, Kenneth & Harle Montgomery Foundation, Lands' End, Mercedes Benz, National Endowment for the Arts, Office of Language and Cultural Education, CPS, Oppenheimer Family Foundation, Otto W. Lehmann Foundation, Polk. Bros. Foundation, Prince Charitable Trusts, Radio Disney, Rainforest Café, Sangria, Seabury Foundation, Sherry Schwartz, Vanell Incorporated,
Variety, the Children's Charity of Illinois, Vitamin Brand, William
Wood Skinner Foundation, WLS ABC Channel 7, Wrightwood Neighbors Association
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Kasia Iverson
Marketing & Development Coordinator
Chicago International Children's Film Festival
www.cicff.org
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Facets Multimedia
1517 West Fullerton Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
p 773-281-9075
f 773-929-0266
c 773-412-9054
kasia@facets.org