2008 Fest FAQ's

Welcome to the 25th annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival!

October 23 - November 2, 2008

When will the 2008 Festival Schedule be available?

The complete film festival schedule will be available in late September or early October, 2008. This includes: the Weekend general public Schedule, Weekday School Group Schedule, PLUS info on Take One! Workshops, celebrity appearances and special events like the Opening Gala & the American Airlines Closing Night Award Ceremony.

Teachers & group leaders! Book your group at the Festival's weekday and post-Festival screenings. Contact "Group Sales" at 773-281-9075 or fldtrips@facets.org.

What is the Chicago International Children's Film Festival?

The Chicago International Children's Film Festival (CICFF) is the largest festival of films for children in North America features over 200 films from 40 countries and screens a wide range of projects from live action and animated features, to Happy Kids at Fest shorts, TV series, documentaries, and child-produced works. One of the most unique festivals in the country, showcasing the best in culturally diverse, non-violent, value affirming new cinema for children, the CICFF is the only children's film festival to be an Academy Award® Qualifying Festival.

Welcoming 25,000 Chicago area children, adults, and educators each year, over 140 filmmakers, media professionals & celebrities attend the Festival to lead interactive workshops with kids. Interactive workshops comprise an important part of the CICFF's mission to make media a participatory rather than a passive experience. Past attendees include: Shia LaBeouf (Transformers, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Scull), LeVar Burton (Reading Rainbow, Star Trek: The Next Generation), Jane Seymour (Wedding Crashers), Harold Ramis (Ghostbusters), Sissy Spacek (Coal Miner's Daughter); Terry Jones (Monty Python's Flying Circus); and film critic Roger Ebert.

For more than 30 years, the Chicago International Children's Film Festival has set new standards for what children's festivals can achieve. As the largest and longest running children's film program in North America, the CICFF discovers the best in world cinema by continually raising the bar for quality children's programming.

What are your age ranges?

Our festival features films for children between the ages of 3 and 16. The festival schedule lists recommended ages with each film program. These suggested ages are offered as a general guideline only. Special programs for our youngest audiences (ages 3-5) are also indicated by the My First Movie icon.

Are the films rated?

Symbols will be used to mark programs that contain mild profanity (P), mild violence (V), or mature themes (M). The “M” symbol is similar to a PG rating. Insert P, M & V symbols.

What if films are in a language other than English?

Professional actors will read the English subtitles aloud for programs for kids nine and under. The sound from the film will be audible while subtitles are read.

Where does the Festival take place?

The Festival takes place at Facets Cinema (1517 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago) in Lincoln Park, and at other Chicago venues. A complete listing of Festival venues for 2008 will be available soon.

What are your Take One! Workshops®?

Interactive workshops comprise an important part of the CICFF's mission to make media a participatory rather than a passive experience. During the film festival, Take One! Workshops® provide children with an unprecedented opportunity to benefit from the knowledge and experience of accomplished media professionals. Each year, the CICFF offers Take One! Workshops® in a variety of media or film-related areas. The complete Take One! Workshop Schedule will be available in late-September or early-October, 2008.

We will be taking Take One! reservations when the schedule is made public. Workshop space is limited and registration must be done in advance. You can register for a workshop via Ticketweb or by calling “Kidsfest” 773-281-9075.

Can audiences vote?

Kids count at the CICFF! After each screening, children can vote and evaluate for their favorite film for the “Best of the Fest” audience prize, the most coveted prize with the CICFF. "Best of the Fest", along with the Adult and Children’s Jury awards, will be announced at the American Airlines Closing Night Awards Presentation, the last day of the Festival.

Are there Q&A's for screenings?

The CICFF welcomes nearly 150 filmmakers & celebrities each year. There are Q&A's for many, but not all, screenings. When a filmmaker is present for a screening, they are introduced following the film program to speak a little about the making of their film & to take audience questions. The Q&A period can last between 5 and 20 minutes.

How can I purchase tickets?

General Public Admission: $6.00 for children (3-16) and $8.00 for adults. Prices for 2008 are TBA.

Tickets for weekend screenings can be purchased at the box office 30 minutes prior to a screening or via the CICFF website through Ticketweb. The ONLY way to guarentee seating is to pre-purchase through Ticketweb. All seating is general admission.