Editor

Festival features 33 films from 18 countries

Chicago IL/Summer 2014-The ICFilmFest, the first touring festival of world class children's film programs, launches festival season at the Union League Boys & Girls Club One, located at 2157 West 19th Street, Chicago. Three screenings for children ages 6-10, July 3rd, July 17th, and July 31st, will showcase 33 films from 18 countries.

Three lively shorts programs feature films as diverse as the delightful romp through a pop-up world in The Happy Duckling, a fridge full of wise-cracking eggs from Sweden in Come On, Ketchup!, The Danish film Flap Crashers, a short in which a bird must overcome his fear of flying; and One Shoe Blues starring legendary blues man, B.B. King. The ICFilm Film Festival is curated by Nicole Dreiske and presented by The Union League Boys & Girls Club One in collaboration with the International Children's Media Center.

ICMC Executive Director Nicole Dreiske comments, "The festival experience gives children the chance to start watching movies with critical thinking filters in place. It's fun and challenging to watch 33 films, knowing that you'll get to pick the festival winners."

Children have the opportunity to vote for their favorite films immediately following each program. Their participation determines the winner of the "Best of the ICFilmFest" to be awarded to the film that receives the greatest number of votes.

Margie Cepeda, Executive Director of Club One says, "The ICFilmFest is a great way to introduce children to global culture and the voting validates their preferences and observations. We're excited to make this program available through the Boys & Girls Clubs."

Tickets (per screening) are free for Club One members and $3 for non-members. For more information call 312-777-3222 or visit http://www.ulbgc.org/locations/club-one/

   Amazonia, USA                                                                        Rosa Sommer, Germany

Union League Boys & Girls Club One! ICFilmFest 2014 Schedule:

Thursday, July 3 at 1pm SECRETS AND SURPRISES Ages 6+ (73min)

When we take time to get to know each other, we learn some wonderful secrets and surprises. Let a cupboard of vegetable comedians get you laughing with silly jokes (Come On, Ketchup!, Sweden), tune in to a rockin' Pachelbel (Pachelbel Kanon, US), and watch a Mo Willems' picture book come to life (Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed, US). Ten films from eight countries make up this program of both live action and animated shorts including: What If... (India), How the Bunny Didn't Change to be Someone Else (Russia), Ley Ley (Germany), Tally Ho, Pancake! (Germany),Young Detectives: Teddy Bear (Norway), Oversized (Canada) and The Cosmic Avenger (Finland).

Thursday, July 17 at 1pm TOUCH OF GENIUS Ages 8+ (69min)

There's something special in every one of us. But like the characters in these clever films, we have to find that special something and cherish it. Jam along with the great B.B. King and some quirky sock puppets (One Shoe Blues, US), stay one step ahead of colorful rainforest predators (Amazonia, US), and discover how to escape the mysterious Kingdom of Cats (The Kingdom of Cats, Russia). Catch all 12 live action and animated films from 10 countries including: Mouse for Sale (Belgium), Lexdysia (Poland), Percuissons (France), What Makes Me Happy?: Tung's Film (Vietnam), Love Bug (US), Flap Crashers (Denmark), Monarch (Mexico) Lizard (Australia) and Papa's Boy (Poland).

Thursday, July 31 at 1pm FRIENDS AROUND THE WORLD Ages 6+ (60 mins)

Our loved ones share unique qualities and experiences with us, no matter where they are in the world. Meet a boy who wants to be just like his Papa- a Caribbean carnival stilt walker (Papa Moco Jumbie, USA), discover something amazing while biking through Barcelona (RosaSommer, Germany), and hide between the crevasses of a whimsical pop-up book world (The Happy Duckling, UK). Enjoy ten friendly films from seven countries including: New Digs (South Africa), Because You're Gorgeous (South Africa), Chickens of the Sea (US) Ormie (Canada), Booo (Sweden), Crazy Hair Day (US) and Burning Stage (South Korea).

For press information on the ICFilmFest Film Festival please contact David Orlikoff at 773-882-7272 or e-mail: dorlikoff@icmediacenter.org.

Credits

The ICFilmFest is supported by the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation and the MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation and by Howard and Pam Conant.

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Union League Boys and Girls Club One

2157 West 19th Street, Chicago IL., 60608

312-777-3222

www.ulbgc.org/locations/club-one/  

The International Children's Media Center (ICMC) is a non profit organization dedicated to transforming the way children use, view and engage electronic screens. For information about the ICMC, go to www.icmediacenter.org  The ICFilmFest is supported by the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation at the MacArthur Foundation and by Howard and Pam Conant.