The 29th Chicago International Children’s Film Festival presents weekday shows for school field trips, weekend shows for young children, and weeknight shows for older children. But in addition to the children’s programming, there are also some special events of interest to grown-up cinephiles.
Best of Chicago voting is live now. Vote for your favorites »
The Oregon-based animation studio Laika, Inc., made its name with the macabre children’s fantasy Coraline (2009) and scored again this summer with ParaNorman. The latter is still playing in theaters around town, but its festival screening includes a Q&A session with Laika’s marketing director, Mark Shapiro (Sat 10/27, 10 AM, Music Box). Shapiro also hosts a workshop on stop-motion animation for children ages 11 to 14 (Sat 10/27, 1 PM, Facets Cinematheque).
Last but not least, A Tribute to the National Film Board of Canada collects nine shorts from the venerable animation unit, which was founded in the 1940s by the pioneering Norman McLaren (Sat 11/3, 1 PM, Facets Cinematheque).
10/26-11/4, various days, times, and locations. Tickets at ticketweb.com or 866-468-3401. Information and schedule at cicff.org or 773-281-9075. Regular admission $6 children, $9 adults; workshops $25-$65, advance registration required.
