Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (Oct 21-30 , 2011) 

The CICFF has earned an international reputation for presenting the very best in children's media from around the world. The festival advocates inspired, innovative programming for kids. The festival is seeking humanistic, culturally diverse, and compelling films that reveal the world in new ways and leave room for the child's own imaginative response.

The Festival is adjudicated by two juries: an adult jury and a children's jury.

Early Entry Deadline: May 1, 2011 (save 20%)   

 Final Deadline: May 31, 2011

CICFF Award Categories include: Feature, Short, Animation, Live- action, Documentary, TV series, Child-produced film

CICFF Prizes Include: Montgomery Award for Best Emerging Director ($2500); Montgomery Award for Best Child-Produced Film ($2500)

Reflections from 2010 filmmakers:

I found the CICFF an incredibly rewarding, exhilarating and, to be honest, often moving experience. A children's film festival in the truest sense of the word, CICFF gave me the opportunity to watch and discuss an incredibly diverse selection of children's films from all over the world with a similarly diverse audience of children. Both are rare, and the combination felt priceless." 

 - Jakob Schuh, THE GRUFFALO (Animated Short Film)

Being at the CICFF means having both a joyful and informative time, at the same time. (The media education, the introduction of the movies, the question and answer discussions and of course their reactions and feedback is outstanding. (By attending) you get to know Chicago, a city you have to love, and you meet directors from all over the world."

 - Mikaela Ioannou, NUMBER ONE (Live-action Television Production) 

The Chicago International Children's Film Festival is more than just a traditional festival; it takes your film to children and sometimes to their schools! Not only will you get firsthand experience of how children react to your film, you'll also get to field their questions and get immediate, honest feedback. That alone is worth the price of the festival!"

 - Rahul Gandotra for THE ROAD HOME (Live-action short film)

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