The Chicago International Children's Film Festival

For ten chilly fall days each year, the Windy City becomes the center of my children’s media world. Starting today, the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival will celebrate, not just 26 years of world-class children’s entertainment, but 26 years of empowering kids to become media literate and aware of the influence television, magazines and the internet can have on their everyday lives.

I interned for the CICFF in 2004. It was my big break into the world of children’s media, and I’ve never looked back. When I started working there I was full of energy and totally on board with all the hopes and expectations of a typical fresh-faced little media darling; the glitz and the glamour and the chance to be creative for a living – cool!

But there was more to it than that. I started to hear all kinds of things about the impact on-screen violence has on children; about consumerism and pester-power and the general dumbing-down of a generation or two of kids.

I didn’t believe a word of it. In fact, I resented such a crazy notion. If you’re reading this and you grew up in the 80’s like I did, you’re probably thinking the same thing as me – I grew up with He-Man/G.I. Joe/Ninja Turtles, and I turned out just fine.

For most of us that’s true, but we didn’t spend our childhoods in an instant information world where every kind of media format, both good and bad, bombards us almost every minute of the day. Let’s be honest here, nobody’s quite sure what effect this state of being “always-on” has on growing children.

Before you say this is alarmist, I’m not asking for a blanket ban on any kind of media nastiness. I don’t believe our youth are doomed to become sociopathic vegetables, numbed to scenes of violence, or slaves to consumerism. As broadcasters, it’s our responsibility to share information, tell a story and entertain. I’m just asking you to think about what effect that ad your writing, the show your animating, or the online community your developing might have on impressionable minds.

Ok, enough with the serious eyebrows. This year the CICFF will be showing over 200 films from 40 countries and will also host 25,000 kids as well as a wide range of activities and interactive workshops to get involved with. There’s something for kids of all ages, and plenty of filmmakers and celebrities show up too. There I go with the glitz, again!

If you’re anywhere near the Windy City over the next few days, I can totally recommend taking the kids for a visit. Even if you’re not in town, take a look and see if there’s a film fest for children in your area. You’ll see the magic of the big screen in a whole new way.

Happy film watching!