With its 2006 schedule, Chicago International Children’s Film Festival expands its enormously popular “My First Movies” screenings, where interactive movie watching is encouraged! This series of programs is created especially for young audiences, ages 2-5 and 4-6, and consists of positive, age-appropriate films that have been specially approved for young children by Facets Artistic Director and the Festival’s Program Director.

The CICFF will extend their “My First Movies” interactive viewings over two weekends, and are expanding their viewing areas to the north and south, adding The Beverly Arts Center and Wilmette Theater to their original Facets location. “My First Movies” programs will also screen at 9:30 every weekend morning at Facets. “We wanted to be sure that north side audiences didn’t miss these special programs, so we added earlier screenings this year,” says Deidre Searcy, Festival Programmer.

This year, CICFF releases five captivating programs : “Little Polar Bear”, “Zoo Pass”, “Goodie Bag”, “Helping Hands”, “Buddy System.” Featuring films from 25 countries, the “My First Movies” programs are indicated by a special icon to make screening selection easier for families.

“Families with very young children truly need high quality film alternatives,” said Founder/Artistic Director Nicole Dreiske. “Media makes an enormous impression on young audiences and we want to help parents introduce their children to the whole experience of movie-going, in a new and fresh way.”

Screenings sell out fast! Admission to film screenings is $6 for children and $8 for adults. Early Group discounts are available. Advance ticket sales for Facets, Wilmette are available online via Ticketweb at www.cicff.org or by phone at (866)-468-3401. Advance ticket sales are available for the Beverly Arts Center at www.beverl yartcenter.org or by phone at (773)445-3838. A complete schedule is available on-line at www.cicff.org or for more information call Marita Blanken at (773)281-9075.






Kidsfest’s “My First Movies” musts for youngsters are:

Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., Chicago

Saturday, October 21
10:00 a.m. Beverly Arts Center
Zoo Pass
64 minutes
Ages 2 to 5

This friendly assortment of animated shorts is a real treat for young viewers who love animals. See dancing penguins, heroic guinea pigs, flying home improvers and work-at-home pigs. This special program features films from six countries, including some of the best work by the innovative Little Airplane Productions company.


Saturday, October 21
1:30 p.m. Beverly Arts Center
Little Polar Bear: The Mysterious Island
Germany, 2005
81 minutes Ages 5 to 8 Directed by Piet De Rycker and Thilo Graf Rothkirch

In this sequel to past festival favorite Little Polar Bear, a young polar bear named Lars and his friend Robby attempt to rescue their penguin pal Caruso, and wind up on the adventure of their lives! While life is great in the North Pole, little Caruso is homesick and wishes he could go back to the South Pole. Tired of hearing his complaints, Kalle the polar bear decides to send Caruso south, though not to the South Pole. When Lars hears about this, he and Robby set out to help their friend, but a series of mishaps traps all three on a train. Before they know it, their journey leads them to the Galapagos Islands. Being on the island and making new friends cures Caruso of his homesickness but, it doesn’t mean the excitement is over: an island volcano is on the verge of eruption. Together with new buddies Darwina, Maria, and a human named Chucho, the group must plan their escape before it is too late! Filmed by the makers of the award winning Laura’s Star and featuring music by Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer, Little Polar Bear: The Mysterious Island is about the power of friendship, the importance of teamwork, and the love of home.


Sunday, October 22
10:00 a.m. Beverly Arts Center
Helping Hands
60 minutes
Ages 2 to 5

Seeing small hands reach out to help is a wonderful thing to behold. Setting a fine example these characters don’t hesitate to jump in and lend hand when someone is in trouble. A little bird drops in to lend a wing to a boy who can’t seem to reach a water fountain. Janie needs a little help warming up to Jake the dog. Miriam the chicken gets a little help from her family to find a proper home.


Wilmette Theater, 1122 Central Ave., Wilmette

Saturday, October 28
10:00 a.m. Wilmette Theater
Goodie Bag
63 minutes
Ages 2 to 5

Find out what’s inside Lolly’s box, and follow Franny’s footsteps for a fun rollicking adventure. Then play with boom chiki boom or sing to your own tune. From England to Estonia, there is something for everyone in this shorts program full of wonderful surprises for little tikes


Saturday, October 28
10:30 a.m. Wilmette Theater
Little Polar Bear: The Mysterious Island
Germany, 2005
81 minutes Ages 5 to 8 Directed by Piet De Rycker and Thilo Graf Rothkirch

In this sequel to past festival favorite Little Polar Bear, a young polar bear named Lars and his friend Robby attempt to rescue their penguin pal Caruso, and wind up on the adventure of their lives! While life is great in the North Pole, little Caruso is homesick and wishes he could go back to the South Pole. Tired of hearing his complaints, Kalle the polar bear decides to send Caruso south, though not to the South Pole. When Lars hears about this, he and Robby set out to help their friend, but a series of mishaps traps all three on a train. Before they know it, their journey leads them to the Galapagos Islands. Being on the island and making new friends cures Caruso of his homesickness but, it doesn’t mean the excitement is over: an island volcano is on the verge of eruption. Together with new buddies Darwina, Maria, and a human named Chucho, the group must plan their escape before it is too late! Filmed by the makers of the award winning Laura’s Star and featuring music by Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer, Little Polar Bear: The Mysterious Island is about the power of friendship, the importance of teamwork, and the love of home.


Sunday, October 29
10:00 a.m. Wilmette Theater
Helping Hands
60 minutes
Ages 2 to 5


Seeing small hands reach out to help is a wonderful thing to behold. Setting a fine example these characters don’t hesitate to jump in and lend hand when someone is in trouble. A little bird drops in to lend a wing to a boy who can’t seem to reach a water fountain. Janie needs a little help warming up to Jake the dog. Miriam the chicken gets a little help from her family to find a proper home.


Facets Multi-Media, 1517 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago

Saturday, October 21
9:30 a.m. Facets Cinema
Goodie Bag
63 minutes
Ages 2 to 5

Find out what’s inside Lolly’s box, and follow Franny’s footsteps for a fun rollicking adventure. Then play with boom chiki boom or sing to your own tune. From England to Estonia there is something for everyone in this shorts program full of wonderful surprises for little tikes.


Sunday, October 22
9:30 a.m. Facets Cinema
Buddy System
60 minutes
Ages 2 to 5

Hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder we laugh, smile and get along better with the help of our friends. This shorts program introduces buddies of all kinds -- fuzzy, furry, crawly garden variety and next door buddies! Meet two unlikely pals in a delightfully funny short from Estonia. In a sweet animated short from France, children offer wonderful advice on how best to get along with your friends. When Gordon’s garden is overrun by his best friends on the day of the competition, it takes a kindly king to solve his dilemma. So come along with us and bring a friend!


Saturday, October 28
9:30 a.m. Facets Cinema
Zoo Pass
64 minutes
Ages 2 to 5

This friendly assortment of animated shorts is a real treat for young viewers who love animals. See dancing penguins, heroic guinea pigs, flying home improvers and work-at-home pigs. This special program features films from six countries, including some of the best work by the innovative Little Airplane Productions company.