FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 27, 2022
MEDIA CONTACTS
Jill Evans LaPenna / SHOUT Marketing & Media Relations
jill@shoutchicago.com / 312-533-9119
FACETS ANNOUNCES SPECIAL EVENTS HAPPENING THROUGHOUT THE 39TH ANNUAL CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL, NOVEMBER 4 – 20
Press Release
CHICAGO – FACETS 39th Annual Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (CICFF), one of only two Academy Award qualifying international children’s film festivals in the world, running November 4 – 20, announces a selection of special events taking place throughout the festival (see below). Tickets and program information for the festival are on sale for in-person screenings as well via national streaming. The in-person screenings will take place at FACETS, 1517 W. Fullerton Ave, as well as official CICFF39 partner venues, Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E 60th St, Chicago, Chicago History Museum,1601 N Clark St, Chicago, Instituto Cervantes of Chicago, 31 W Ohio St, Chicago and Harold Washington Library Center’s Cindy Pritzker Auditorium, 400 S. State St. General ticket prices are $10 for in-person and $15 for virtual screening, with festival passes and FACETS’ Member discounts available. Visit CICFF39.eventive.org to view all the ticket options, films’ schedules and to purchase tickets.
For the 2022 season, CICFF’s carefully curated selection of 90 virtual and 30 in-person screenings will fall in six major age brackets. Complete festival programming can be found at CICFF39.eventive.org and all screenings will also be available via national streaming, on-demand.
Special Events Announced for the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival include:
Thursday, Nov. 3 • 7 p.m. (check in begins at 6 p.m.)
Opening Night Celebration
Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St.
FREE
More information and tickets click here.
FACETS Leadership, staff and supporters kick off the 39th Annual Chicago International Children’s Film Festival at the Chicago History Museum.
This special event includes a film screening of highly anticipated festival shorts, including multiple premieres and “New Moon,” based on a play by actor Colman Domingo. These engaging films will inspire audiences to discover more about the world around them and appreciate the diverse stories for and about children from all around the world and right here in Chicago. Guests may enjoy a cash bar, light snacks and conversation beginning at 6 p.m. before the screening at 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 4 • 7 p.m.
DOSTOJEE
Recommended for ages 11 – 14
Facets, 1517 W. Fullerton Ave.
$10
In this slice-of-life portrait of childhood innocence, two 8-year-old boys navigate the ups and downs of friendship during a time of religious conflict. Set after the destruction of the Babri Mosque in India, the ongoing strife between Hindus and Muslims divides the boys’ rural village, represented through a literal wall between their houses. Despite the growing dissent, the close friends cling to their childhood and spend their days roaming through nature, playing games, and causing mischief. When a tragic accident occurs, their carefree days come to a halt, pulling them headlong into maturity.
Sunday, Nov. 5 • 10 a.m.
Code Your Chances Worksop – Creative Coding
Recommended for ages 11 – 14
Facets, 1517 W. Fullerton Ave.
FREE
Code Your Chances (CYC) is thrilled to partner with FACETS to offer a free workshop introducing young students to the fundamental concepts of coding, including how computer science is used in creative fields such as film production. Students will explore topics such as loops, algorithms, programming languages and augmented reality. The workshop will use the Code Your Chances mobile app developed in conjunction with Princeton University, as well as hands-on games and activities for a fun and engaging introduction to computer science.
Students are welcome to bring a smartphone to access the CYC app from their personal device, but this is not required. Students of all experience levels are welcome!
Sunday, Nov. 5 • 1 p.m.
Code Your Chances Workshop – Virtual Production
Recommended for ages 14+
Facets, 1517 W. Fullerton Ave.
FREE
Code Your Chances and FACETS will offer an introduction to the new world of virtual production. Virtual production is the technology that is revolutionizing the film and TV industry and used to produce such shows as “Mandalorian,” “The Lion King,” Marvel films, “Westworld” and “Game of Thrones.” This free workshop will introduce teen filmmakers to the Unreal Engine and how computer science is being directly used in the creation of our favorite film and TV content. An early introduction to these difficult concepts will help prepare young filmmakers to succeed in a rapidly evolving industry and give students an increased awareness of the skills needed to work on these exciting projects.
Sunday, Nov. 6 • 2 p.m.
“Butterfly in the Sky”
Recommended for ages 14 and up
Cindy Pritzker Auditorium at the Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St
FREE
For more information and tickets click here.
FACETS is pleased to offer a feature-length documentary telling the story of PBS’s “Reading Rainbow” at CICFF. Hosted at the Harold Washington Library Center, the film explores the legendary 80s television program hosted by LeVar Burton that has been notably recognized as a classroom staple. “Butterfly in the Sky” chronicles the journeys of a handful of broadcasters, educators, filmmakers and one incredible host who believed television could inspire a lifelong love of reading.
Monday, Nov. 7 • 7 p.m.
“The Last Election and Other Love Stories”
Recommended for ages 18 and up
Facets, 1517 W. Fullerton Ave.
$10
For more information and to purchase tickets click here.
Timing couldn’t be more perfect to present “The Last Election and Other Love Stories.” From sunrise on November 3, 2020 to sunrise on November 4, 2020, two podcasters Khadim Diop and Xisko Monroe capture the genuine perspectives of New York in Times Square as they await the 2020 Presidential Election results. Amid the political turmoil stirring in the streets, Khadim and Xisko chase a personal dream to win a $20,000 podcast competition. However, conflicts arise when an old romance resurfaces between Khadim and Xisko’s sister, Kimber. Will these reporters produce an award-winning segment? Will the division in the nation and in their love lives consume all? Will this be the last election?
FACETS Chicago International Children’s Film Festival Mission Statement
Established in 1984, FACETS Chicago International Children’s Film Festival strives to support the work of talented and dedicated filmmakers by showcasing international films of the highest quality and awarding prizes in multiple categories of production formats and genres. The film experiences of young viewers are deepened through a broad range of programs which extend Festival film viewing into discussion and learning.
Films presented in CICFF39 will be issued awards at its conclusion by the CICFF Professional Jury, Youth Jury, and Children’s Jury, including in the Academy Award Qualifying Best Animated and Best Live-Action Short Film categories. CICFF juries are composed of independent filmmakers, film industry professionals, educators, parents, and kids and teens who have graduated from FACETS Film 101 summer camp.
About FACETS
FACETS connects people to independent ideas through transformative film experiences. Founded by the late Milos Stehlik in 1975, FACETS inspires audiences to engage with film not simply as entertainment, but as an exciting tool to bridge cultural divides, promote digital literacy, and expand perspectives through empathy-driven storytelling.
FACETS presents the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (CICFF), one of only two Academy Award-qualifying international children’s film festivals in the world. The 39th Annual Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (CICFF39) will be presented November 4 – 20 at FACETS in-person and via national online screening. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, Oct 5 and buyers should visit CICFF39.eventive.org to view all the ticket options and to purchase tickets.
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FACETS’ CICFF39 is supported by the Alphawood Foundation, Comer Family Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Illinois Arts Council, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, The MacArthur Fund for Culture, Equity, and the Arts at Prince, Allstate Foundation, Conant Family Foundation, Stuart R. Abelson Foundation, Seabury Foundation, Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Foundation, City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Jentes Family Foundation, WTTW, and WBEZ.