Chicago, IL Oct 16, 2006 The CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL (Thursday, October 19-Sunday, October 29), the largest and longest running children’s film festival in the U.S. begins its 23rd year of programming for Chicago audiences. This year’s festival includes a comprehensive collection of wildly imaginative films from 44 countries, including over 200 international films and 32 world premieres. In addition, this year incorporates new locations bringing the fest closer to its audience, special 9:30 a.m. screenings for young children, and celebrity guest appearances including radio/TV/movie personality Shadoe Stevens (America’s Top 40, Hollywood Squares, Mr. Saturday Night) and PK The Cosmic DJ from Radio Disney AM 1300 Radio Patrol.

This year’s 30 second PSA, which doubles as the Festival trailer, was created with the support and talent of Calabash Animation and Emoto Music using Bill Mayer’s engaging “movie monsters”. Reid Brody’s Filmworker’s Club was instrumental in converting the piece to 35mm so audiences can enjoy it on the big screen prior to every festival program.

Bill Mayer, the celebrated artist and illustrator, has created cutting-edge concepts including fanciful monsters, wacky animals
and fabulous people for some of the nation’s best companies and publications including IBM and the New York Times. Mayer’s
vivid and meaningful characters have represented Fortune 500 companies across the nation. He credits his clients with having trust in his work that allows for such innovative experimentation in marketing pieces, and is known for giving campaigns a totally fresh look. For Mayer, whose variety of styles and techniques includes airbrush, watercolors and scratchboard, it’s all about color. “It’s a good way to get someone’s attention,” he said.

Admission to film screenings is $6 for children and $8 for adults. Locations for this year’s festival are: Facets Multi-Media (1517 W. Fullerton Ave.), Beverly Arts Center (2407 W. 111th St.), DuSable Museum (740 E. 56th Place), Wilmette Theatre (1122 Central Ave.). Advance ticket sales for Facets, Wilmette, and DuSable Museum are available online via Ticketweb at www.cicff.org or by phone 1-866-468-3401 (Regular admission prices only. Additional fees will apply.). Advance ticket sales are available
for the Beverly Arts Center at www.beverlyartcenter.org or by phone (773)-445- 3838. A complete schedule is available on-line at www.cicff.org or for more information call (773)281- 9075. To check out Bill Mayer’s artwork log onto www.thebillmay er.com

Chicago, IL Oct 16, 2006 Join us as we celebrate twenty-three years of the best in children’s film programming at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival’s Opening Night Gala on Thursday, October 19th. We’re kicking off the amazing ten-day festival of screenings, workshops and special opportunities to speak with directors from around the world, starting with a fun filled evening for the whole family featuring fantastic food, face-painting, roving (child) reporters and Radio Disney’s Party Patrol.

The event includes special sneak previews of short live action and animated films guaranteed to entertain all ages. First up will be First Flight by Dreamworks (their first “original character” short); Little Matchgirl by Disney (a beautifully animated rendition of the Hans Christian Andersen tale); and The Drive, a dreamy, innovative child-produced short by 10-year-old Joseph Procopio of Ontario Canada. As party of the CICFF’s “Literacy Through Media” focus, the Opening Night Gala will include two book-based films -- Ish directed by John Lechner (based on the popular book by Peter H. Reynolds), Moongirl by Henry Selick (based on the book by Henry Selick.) The event will be hosted by special guest Patty Kan, “PK the Cosmic DJ.” PK and her party crew the Radio Disney AM 1300 Party Patrol, will keep the entertainment coming throughout the night with their high energy dance moves and popular tunes. Talented performers from Chicago’s own Circ-Esteem Youth Circus will be featured during the stage presentation.

This year, the CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL will feature 220 films from 44 countries. It is the largest festival of films for children in the U.S, as well as Chicago’s largest multi- cultural family event.

The Chicago International Children’s Film Festival is also the only children’s festival in the world to be recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as an Academy© qualifying festival.

The Festival provides educational and insightful workshops for children of all ages and backgrounds as well as celebrity led seminars, acting instruction, hands-on animation experience and much more. Enjoying the world’s best children’s cinema is only a start to what the ten day Festival has to offer!

The Chicago International Children’s Film Festival is presented by Facets Multi-Media, Inc., a not-for- profit film and video organization. A complete schedule is available on-line at www.cicff.org or for more information please call Marita Blanken at (773) 281-9075.

Chicago International Children’s Film Festival Opening Night Gala
Thursday, October 19th
6:00 p.m. Reception
7:15 p.m. Opening Remarks
7:45 Film Presentation

Thorne Auditorium
375 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago

FIRST FLIGHT (USA, 9 min)
WANDER (USA, 7 min)
CHESS (Sweden, 5 min)
LITTLE MATCHGIRL (USA, 9 min)
THE DRIVE (USA, 5 min)
MOONGIRL (USA, 9 min)
ISH (USA, 7 min)
___________
51 minutes

Admission
$50 per adult
$25 per child

For tickets please call (773) 281-9075 or visit our web site at www.cicff.org.