My First Movies

Presented by FACETS Chicago International Children’s Film Festival in partnership with Chicago Children’s Museum and Navy Pier

My First Movies is for the littlest littles and youngest filmgoers. These films from around the world are intended to delight, bring out a smile or a giggle (or two). Most of all, these films are meant to be seen as a shared experience between caregivers, parents, and children to spark a lifetime love of the cinema. My First Movies is a 15-minute program of short films hand-picked for your littles from FACETS Chicago International Children's Film Festival.

Film screenings are FREE and filmgoers receive a 10% discount on Navy Pier parking.

When: Every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, beginning on Wednesday, October 11 through November 2 at 10:30 am and 12:30 pm

Where: Navy Pier Fifth Third Family Pavilion Grand Stairway and Landing, just outside of Chicago Children’s Museum’s Entrance and Ticket Desk

 

About the Films

  • Musicanimals
    Directed by Stella Raith, Germany, CICFF 2019
    Five "musicanimals" are half animal and half instrument, each lives with different beat. What comes next?

    Sweet Tusk
    Directed by Anna Hrachovec, U.S., CICFF 2021
    Two walruses find each other to brush each other's tusks. Then they realize they have also found the true love…

    Colourful Feathers
    Directed by Maribel Suárez, Mexico, CICFF 2021
    A group of white chickens cackle in a pasture with their chicks, when they see a blue chicken arrive. They show their discontent and refuse to share their shelter. But when the fox is on the prowl they realize that they are stronger together and unite despite their differences

    Marmalade
    Directed by Radostina Neykova, Bulgaria, CICFF 2020
    Take flight on an adorable animation about spending time in the sun, eating ice cream, and being a hero.

    Blanket
    Directed by Marina Moshkova, Russia, CICFF 2020
    When a grumpy Polar Bear gets a visit from Brown Bear, can he welcome him in and learn to enjoy sharing?

  • Ben Nevis’ Nap
    Directed by Tilmann Vogt, U.S./Germany, CICFF 2003
    Ben Nevis is a cuddly blue lizard who just wants to take a nap, but there's a busy bee keeping him awake. Ben needn't feel too sorry for himself, however. As it turns out, he's not the only one who can't get to sleep!

    Sharing
    Directed by Tony Dusko, U.S., CICFF 2010
    Sharing is fun—especially when at first we want to keep something all to ourselves. Let this short be a reminder about just how exciting it can be to share your favorite things with a good friend. Who knows, you might just get something back in return, as well!

    Fitting In
    Directed by Taylor Annisette, Canada, CICFF 2011
    A little octagon girl feels out of place at a school full of squares and circles. She tries changing herself to fit in with each crowd, but she soon finds that she is most comfortable when she’s being herself! This sweet, relatable short tells an important story for everyone who’s ever felt like an outsider.

    Janie and Jerome: Rain
    Directed by Eric Weil, U.S., CICFF 2003
    Janie is sad to see it's raining today, but her teddy Jerome likes to see the bright side of things. The two go for an imaginary walk, splashing in puddles and chasing raindrops, and transform a rainy day into lots of fun.

    Happy Holi Maya!
    Directed by Kavita Ramchandran, U.S., CICFF 2005
    What is your favorite holiday of a year? Halloween? Christmas? New Year’s eve? Meet Maya. Her favorite day is Holi the celebration of the coming of the spring. Everything is perfect about Holi except, like any other special day, it happens only once a year.

    Kiri and Lou: Funny Feeling
    Directed by Harry Sinclair, New Zealand, CICFF 2019
    Kiri and Lou follows the friendship between Kiri, a feisty little dinosaur and Lou, a gentle creature, as they explore the world through laughter, song and adventure in their forest home. Hand-crafted in traditional stop-motion animation, Kiri and Lou explores empathy and how to get along.

 

About FACETS and Chicago International Children’s Film Festival

FACETS Chicago International Children’s Film Festival is honored and delighted to share this short film program with you and your children in celebration of our 40th anniversary. The Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (CICFF) is the first Academy®-qualifying children’s film festival in the world. From November 3-19, view CICFF films during in-person screenings at FACETS and official partner venues across Chicago or enjoy virtual screenings. Shorts and feature films are curated for ages 2-18+ from FACETS' official selection of 269 films from 50 countries including 27 features and 242 shorts, containing a wide variety of genres and filmmaking styles.