CICFF Classics: A Watchlist Retrospective

Since its founding in 1975–whether it be through educational film camps for children or through weekly screenings of classics, indie gems, and more–FACETS aims to help the surrounding community experience cinema as not just entertainment but as a source of education, a lens into another world, or a point of connection.


In 1984, FACETS founded the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival–the first competitive festival for children’s films in the US. Since then, the annual CICFF has served as both a launchpad for award-winning children’s films and as an opportunity for families to come together over eye-opening, curated films. With each year FACETS works to bring to the Chicago community powerful films that touch audiences of all ages, films that highlight diverse perspectives and voices.


In celebration and preparation for the upcoming 39th Chicago International Children’s Film Festival running November 4-20, 2022, we look back through almost 40 years of CICFF history to highlight classic films which premiered at CICFF.

ANIMAL BEHAVIOR (CICFF35)

In this Canadian animated short film, a group of animals attend a group therapy session. As the session unfolds, we learn about each animal, their unique problems, and their chaotic yet entertaining group dynamic. Directed by Alison Snowden and David Fine, Animal Behavior–a 2019 Oscar Nominee for Best Animated Short Film–introduces the topics of mental health and therapy through an accessible, humorous lens. 

Stream Animal Behavior from Youtube or Apple TV, and visit this link for fun extra content about Animal Behavior’s cast, its production, and the studio behind it. 

TOYLAND (CICFF25)

Toyland, a German short film directed and co-written by Jochen Alexander Freydank, tells the story of a family living in Nazi Germany. As their Jewish neighbors disappear, the mother lies to her son and tells him that the Jews are being taken to Toyland, a happy paradise of candy, toys, and fun. When one of their family friends gets taken away, the mother’s attempt to protect her son from the painful truth ultimately endangers him. 

Freydank, who directed, produced, and wrote Toyland, attended the 2008 CICFF; with a full house of children from Reilly & Prescott Elementary Schools attending the short screening, Freydank spoke to the audience about the production process of Toyland, the historic realism of the short, and his career in TV production. This powerful short film about responsibility and guilt went on to be nominated for and ultimately win the Academy Award for Best Live Short.

Watch Toyland for free here on Youtube.

ONE SMALL STEP (CICFF35)

In this heartwarming animated short, a Chinese-American girl is enamored by the wonders of space and dreams of becoming an astronaut. She’s encouraged towards her dream by her loving, supportive single father, who works as a cobbler to support their family. Through the beautiful animation directed by Andrew Chesworth and Bobby Pontillas, we fully experience the girl’s dramatic journey towards her dream, struggle and all. One Small Step was nominated for the 2018 Best Animated Short Film category, and also is the winner of the Professional Jury Prize for Animated Short Film at the 2018 CICFF.

Watch One Small Step for free here on Youtube, and visit this link for stills, behind-the-scenes production content, statements from the directors, and a cool video discussing the short’s score with the composer! 

NEW BOY (CICFF25)

In New Boy, directed by Steph Green, we’re led through the first day of school for an African boy named Joseph, who immigrated to Ireland in order to escape civil unrest in his hometown. As he begins to attend school in Ireland, he’s immediately pinned as the “new kid” and faces bullies, leading him to think back to his happier days with his father back in Africa. Adapted from Roddy Doyle’s 2005 short story of the same name, this powerful story about loss and moving on was nominated for the 2009 Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film. 

Watch New Boy for free here on Youtube.

QUIERO SER (I WANT TO BE…) (CICFF18)

Winner of the 2001 Oscar for Best Short Subject, Quiero Ser (I Want to Be…) tells the story of two homeless brothers in Mexico City. As the two brothers struggle to support themselves, their tight relationship is challenged when one of the brothers falls in love. This Mexican-German short drama film was directed by Florian Gallenberger, and is also the winner of the 2001 CICFF’s Adult Jury Prize for Best Live Action Short Film. Director Gallenberger attended the 2001 CICFF and was present to accept his award at the Closing Night Ceremonies. The film went on to win the 2001 Academy Award for Best Short Film, Live Action.

Watch Quiero Ser (I Want to Be…) for free here

WHEN LIFE DEPARTS (CICFF14)

This Estonian short film, directed by Karsten Kiilerich and Stefan Fjeldmark, explores life after death through the eyes of young children. With charming animation similar to crayon doodles, When Life Departs simmers the age-old, existentially terrifying question of what comes after death down to simple, sweet, heartfelt musings from children. When Life Departs was nominated for the 1999 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. 

Watch When Life Departs in the Animation Show of Shows Box Set 3 here.

ARCHIE (CICFF36)

Captured in beautiful stop-motion, Archie is a Scottish animated short directed by Ainslie Henderson and the winner of the 2019 CICFF Best of Fest Award. Based on the children’s picture book by Domenica More Gordon and produced for Young Films and the BBC, the short tells a charming, slightly melancholic story about Archie, who learns about his aunt’s death and decides to go on a long journey to her home. With no dialogue, Archie fully delivers an emotional tale with powerful imagery and amazingly detailed sets.

Watch Archie for free here.

WAY OF GIANTS (CICFF33)

This stunning animated short, directed by Alois Di Leo, tells the story of Oquirá, an indigenous girl living in the lush forests of the Amazon. We follow Oquirá as she comes to understand her people’s tradition, the circle of life, and her own role within her world through her own terms. Way of Giants, winner of the 2016 CICFF’s Best of Fest Award, weaves together themes of tradition, culture, and understanding the circle of life with beautiful animation and music.

Visit wayofgiants.com to not only watch the short for free but also access behind-the-scenes production videos, read up on festival news regarding Way of Giants, and see the full production team.

THE GRUFFALO (CICFF27)

Directed by Max Land and Jakob Schuh, The Gruffalo brings to life the beloved 1999 picture book written by Julia Donaldson– a playful story about a witty mouse and his encounter with the Gruffalo, a fabled, ferocious monster. Producer and director Jakob Schuh–also the co-founder of Studio Soi–attended the 2010 CICFF and led Q+A sessions with screening audiences. The Gruffalo was nominated for the 2011 Academy Award for Best Animated Short, and won both the 2010 Best of Fest Prize and the 2nd prize from the Adult Jury for Animated Short Film at CICFF.

Watch The Gruffalo on streaming sites like Youtube and Apple TV. FACETS members can rent and watch The Gruffalo from our Video Rental Collection here.

PARANORMAN (CICFF29)

Produced by the beloved LAIKA Studios, ParaNorman is a stop-motion animated film directed by Sam Fell and Chris Butler. Nominated for the 2013 Oscar for Best Animated Feature, ParaNorman follows Norman Babcock, a boy who can see ghosts and is ostracized for his unique ability. When he’s called upon to end a curse cast on his hometown by a 300-year-old witch, Norman teams up with his family and unlikely allies, and learns to accept himself. In 2012, LAIKA Marketing Director Mark Shapiro attended CICFF and spoke with audiences about the making of ParaNorman following 2 screenings of the film held during the Festival, and also showcased some of the character puppets used in the actual film.

Watch ParaNorman on streaming sites like Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, and Apple TV. FACETS members can rent and watch ParaNorman from our Video Rental Collection here.


Stephanie Chung is the Marketing Production Intern at FACETS, a current student at the University of Chicago majoring in Sociology and Cinema and Media Studies. An avid fan of animation, her favorite of this bunch is Archie!