Editor

The Chicago International Children's Film Festival ("CICFF") celebrates its 27th season this October 22-31, 2010. A record number of films have been submitted to the 2010 Festival, an increase of 12% so far over 2009. (In 2009, entries increased by 19% overall from 2008.)

This year, "there is an unprecedented number of entries, already in this early submissions stage", according to Programming Director, Ann Vikstrom. Nancy Goldenberg, Director of Children's Programs for the Festival continues,"we are especially pleased to see an increase in Mexican and Latin American entries this season. One of our signature programs, "Espanol Para Todos" is particularly important for Chicago Public School students in this coming year of potential world language cuts. The CICFF showcases the best in culturally diverse, value-affirming media for both families and teachers".

Because the Festival is the only Academy Award qualifying children's film festival in the world, independent and major studio directors and producers look to the Chicago International Children's Film Festival as a launching pad for their films for children. Over 250 films from 40 countries with more than 150 premieres screen at the Festival each season, selected for wide-raning programs from an anticipated 1,000 entries.

Among this year's film entries are director Jesper W. Nielsen (2009's "Through a Glass, Darkly" 1st Prize winner Adult Jury - Live Action Feature); and producer Ingelore Koenig ("Stella and the Star of the Orient" - 2008 Best of Fest Award winner). North American and US premieres from the films are en route to Chicago from having won at the BAFTA awards (the British "Oscars"); the Berlin Film Festival, Cannes and Toronto's Sprockets Festivals; and all major children's festivals world-wide.

Returning as well just may be never-before seen episodes from the popular television series, "The Wonder Pets", the UK's "3rd & Bird"; Germany's "The Show with the Elephant"; new episodes of Thomas the Tank Engine and Bob the Builder, as well as world premieres from television submitters from around the globe including the BBC, Sesame Workshop, Discovery Kids Latin America, and major tv production companies and stations in Germany, Denmark, Finland, Japan, Taiwan, Croatia, Mexico, Italy, Russia, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Poland, Switzerland and France, among many others.