By Ola Stepien
A family attending the film festival (Photo Credit: FACETS)
This week wraps up the FACETS’ 40 Chicago International Film Festival (CICFF40), the first Academy Award-qualifying children’s film festival internationally. Filled with culturally enriching events for all ages, Chicago’s families will have a final chance until Nov. 19 to experience the festival’s films and premieres, attend Q&As with directors and filmmakers, and participate in activities.
Mathew A. Cherry presenting with the Inspire Award by Festival Program Director Diedre Searcy (Photo Credit: FACETS)
The festival kicked off at the Chicago History Museum on Nov. 3 with a special celebration, film program and presentation of the first Inspire Award to Matthew A. Cherry, Academy Award-winning director of “Hair Love”.
This week’s final film-loving celebrations will be:
A still shot from “I Am Not Your Token.” One of the short films that will be part of the Cineaste: Teen Screen program on Friday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. (Photo Credit: FACETS)
On Friday, at 7 p.m., people who are 14 and older can attend Cineaste: Teen Screen, a short program celebrating teens and young adult-oriented films made by young people, where several directors, some Chicago-based, will be in attendance for Q&As after their respective screenings.
A still shot of “Butterfly Tale” (Photo Credit: FACETS)
A still shot of “Kensuke’s Kingdom” (Photo Credit: FACETS)
On Saturday, there will be two film screenings. At 1 p.m., suitable for kids ages six and older may attend The North American premiere of “Butterfly Tale,” winner of the Germanic Animation Screenplay Award. At 3 p.m., “Kensuke’s Kingdom,” best suited for kids between eight and ten, can watch how a young boy discovers he has company while shipwrecked on a deserted island, an older Japanese soldier who retreated there after World War II. As dangerous invaders appear on the horizon, it becomes clear they must join forces to save their fragile island paradise.
A still shot of “Somni.” One of the short films from the Storytellers 2 program on Sunday, Nov. 19, at 1 p.m.
A still shot of “Coco Farm” (Photo Credit: FACETS)
On Sunday, the last day of the festival, the whole family can attend Storytellers 2 at 1 p.m., as parents can sip on Mimosas from the lounge at FACETS while kids, best suited for those between six to eight years old, participate in the short film program and a two-step dance party hosted by the Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble. The last event of the festival, best suited for kids ages eight to fourteen, will close out at 3 p.m. with enjoyable screenings beginning with “Joie,” the animated short about the yearning to have a conversation in your native language and finishing with “Coco Farm” about an unstoppable young entrepreneur and his friends who are determined to change the world even if it takes one farm at a time.
Another family attending the festival (Photo Credit: FACETS)
A family seated during the opening night of the festival (Photo Credit: FACETS)
All images used were provided by and belong to FACETS.
Learn more about CICFF40, view the full schedule, and buy tickets at CICFF40.eventive.org.
For more information about FACETS, visit: https://facets.org/
