MediaBridge YouthFest, the dynamic international film festival curated by youth from Mexico, India, Portugal, Russia, and Sri Lanka and teens from Chicago, downstate and western Illinois, has announced its winners. Held on Saturday, August 9th at The Normal Theatre in Normal, IL, MediaBridge Youthfest featured films from eight countries, all selected by MediaBridge youth participants. The MediaBridge Youthfest Jury Award-winner for Best Animated Short Film went to Marc Craste's Varmints, an alle...

For every Harry Potter, Frodo Baggins, and Luke Skywalker, there has been a Dumbledore, a Gandalf and an Obi Wan Kenobi. And for every budding screenwriter, there are mentors who help steer them on their way. At Facets Multi-Media's third annual MediaBridge Screenwriters' Lab, held August 4-8 at the Harold Washington Cultural Center (4701 S. King Drive), a team of "creative advisors," will read and critique the MediaBridge screenwriters' scripts. Five professional actors will apply their talents...

The MediaBridge YouthFest is ready for its close-up. This dynamic short film festival will feature live action and animated works from eight countries, curated by youth ambassadors from Mexico, India, Portugal, Russia, and Sri Lanka working together with teens from Chicago, downstate and western Illinois. Two MediaBridge screenings will be held on Saturday, August 9th at The Normal Theatre (209 North Street, Normal, IL) at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Tickets are $6.00 per screening. MediaBridge is a...

24th Annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival Applauds 30 Directors Receiving Prestigious AwardsChicago, IL October 29 - This year The 24th Annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival congratulates its winners of the 30 awards presented at the CICFF's American Airlines Closing Night Awards Presentation, Sunday, October 28, 2007 at Columbia College's Film Row Cinema. Gerren Taylor, teen supermodel represented by Elite Management and the subject of award-winning documentar...

The 24th Annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival's American Airlines Closing Night Awards Presentation, celebrates 2007's top films for children!   On Sunday, October 28th, Gerren Taylor, teen supermodel and lead actress of America the Beautiful, emcees this year's Awards Presentation held at the Film Row Cinema at Columbia College (1104 S. Wabash, 8th Floor).  This year, the CICFF has more than 130 directors, filmmakers and stars in attendance from around the globe, including t...

The 24th Annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival's American Airlines Closing Night Awards Presentation, celebrates 2007's top films for children! On Sunday, October 28th, Gerren Taylor, teen supermodel and lead actress of America the Beautiful, emcees this year's Awards Presentation held at the Film Row Cinema at Columbia College (1104 S. Wabash, 8th Floor). This year, the CICFF has more than 130 directors, filmmakers and stars in attendance from around the globe, including teen...

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...

Largest Children’s Film Festival Launches 22nd Kidsfest!Chicago International Children’s Film Festival Welcomes Hollywood Stars and 100 International Filmmakers The CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL (Thursday, October 27-Sunday, November 6) launches into its 22nd year complete with celebrity guest appearances and a rich palette of the best children’s films from around the world. The largest and longest running festival of children’s films in the U.S., the 2005 Festival b...

Five Grads from Young Chicago Critics Fly to Giffoni Festival for Fun, Sun, & FilmFive Chicago teenagers will get the chance of a lifetime from July 15th through July 25th, 2005 when they become jury members for the acclaimed Giffoni Film Festival in Italy. Now in its 39th year, Giffoni has long distinguished itself as a place where kids – and their opinions about movies – really count.Young Chicago Critics graduates Charlie Schmidlin, Michael Cunningham, Raven Evans, Dane Shubert, and Abbey...

YOUNG CHICAGO CRITICS 2004Wednesday, JUNE 23rd – Thursday, JULY 2nd Presented by the CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL CHIDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL The Young Chicago Critics program is an intensive “movie camp” for kids who love movies and love sharing their thoughts and opinions. This summer, kids ages 7-14 from all over the city will have the opportunity to explore the art of really “seeing” a movie as the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival presents Young Chicago Critics 2004 at Face...