The Chicago International Children`s Film Festival will show more than 100 films, including live-action and animated features and short subjects from the United States, Canada, Eastern and Western Europe, Australia and Asia. For feature films and selected shorts that are in a foreign language, people will be provided to read subtitles aloud. Here are some of the highlights of the 10-day festival. Because the schedule is subject to change, call 312-281-9075 to confirm screenings as well as to obtain a complete schedule.
FRIDAY
Cinema Program: Six short subjects including ”The Drakes Show Themselves” (Czechoslovakia) about clever birds who outwit a scientist,
”Fishy Love” (USA) about the owner of a gold fish who goes looking for a mate for his pet (the film`s director, Michael Seitzman, will be present) and ”Mutzmag” (USA), a terrifying Appalachian folk tale about a girl who gets the better of a witch and a giant (actress Robbie Sams, who stars in the movie, will be present). For ages 8 and up. 7:30 p.m.
Video Program: ”Truckers” (UK), a feature-length animated film about Nomes who have landed on Earth by accident and discover thousands of other creatures just like themselves who are living in a department store. All ages. 7:30 p.m.
SATURDAY
Animation Celebration: Two programs in different screening rooms include such films as ”Every Dog`s Guide to the Playground” (Canada), about a dog who has a rough time trying to imitate humans, ”Manipulation” (UK), winner of the 1992 Academy Award for Best Animated Short, ”The Balloon” (UK), about a little girl who faces her fear of the dark and ”How the Loon” (USA), a folk tale about a brave loon. All ages. Noon.
Cinema: ”The Clean Machine” (Canada), live action comedy about two boys who start their own business. Ages 6 and up. 2 p.m.
Cinema: Three films include ”Mutzmag” (see opening night), ”Fat Monroe”(USA), with Ned Beatty, who plays a gruff mountain man who gives a young boy a hard time, and ”Magic Lantern” (USA), about a lonely Latino boy who tries to break out of his fantasy world and face the realities of his urban life with a single parent (the film`s director, John Henry Davis, will be present). Ages 8 and up. 4 p.m.
SUNDAY
Cinema: A series of short films includes ”Portly`s Hat” (UK), an animated film about a penguin`s search for his lost hat and ”Cooking Tandoori Chicken” (USA), a live action film about a young boy`s fruitless struggle to get even with the female class bully (the film`s star, actor Luca Bartoccioli, and the director, Lane Janger, will be present). All ages. Noon.
Video: Folk Tales and Fables-both live action and animated versions of stories from around the world. All ages. 2 p.m.
OCT. 16
Video: Eco-Video-live action and animated films about caring for the planet. All ages. Noon.
OCT. 18
Cinema: ”The Flying Sneaker” (Canada/Czechoslovakia), a feature that combines live action and animation to tell about a young boy who has a cocoon that changes into a fairy with magical powers. Ages 6 and up. 10 a.m.
Best of the fest: Two programs presenting the festival`s award winners for best film and best video. 4 p.m.
