PCFF Reel Connections make real connections between what you experience on the screen and what’s happening closer to home.
We invite audiences of all ages to engage in topics from and beyond our film screenings to better understand the diverse and challenging themes and subject matter presented. Reel Connections spark richer discussions—with youth among their peers, at home, in classrooms, libraries, or after-school programs and other settings—while building community connections that can enhance and extend the film’s impact. Occasionally before, but usually following a screening, meet filmmakers, see performances, and participate in discussions that accompany selected films. As an added bonus, some films include a film guide with discussion questions, hands-on activities and related resources including related books, films and local organizations. Access the guides on the PCFF Film Hub (www.pcffri.org/filmhub). Make it real with Reel Connections!
Saturday, February 18 (Gilder Center for the Arts) Follows the 1:00 PM screening of Kayayo
Wearing traditional dress, the Providence Presbyterian Ghana Choir delights us with Ghanaian songs, tells about life in Ghana, and shows kids how to hold carrying baskets on the head like the kayayo in the film!
Sunday, February 19 (Gilder Center for the Arts) Follows the 1:45 PM screening of Mr. Frog
Angel Bazinet from Biomes Marine Biology Center tells us all about frogs, where we can find them in Rhode Island and how you can help our web-footed friends, then she answers your amphibious questions. Learn more about Biomes, New England’s most hands-on aquarium!
Sunday, February 19 (Gilder Center for the Arts) Precedes the 3:45 PM screening of Brothers of the Wind
Born To Be Wild Nature Center and several recovering raptors introduce this one-of-a-kind film. Meet a regal raptor in the lobby, and at 3:45 learn about the birds and find out how BTBW rehabilitates and/or cares for Rhode Island’s injured and rescued raptors. Don’t be late or you’ll miss out!
Wednesday, February 22 (Warwick Public Library) Follows the 10:30 AM screening of All the Wiser
Join Imagine Kolle 37 director, Michele Meek, and her daughter for a post-film Q&A. Her film is about a German Adventure Playground unlike any playground you’ve seen before!
Friday, February 24 (AS220 Main Stage) Follows the 6:30 PM screening of Sonita
KALI MA HipHop is Providence’s female dynamic duo: Maxx Millanova and Konscious Keke, accompanied by Deejay Kellan. Their use of powerful lyrics and playful vibes light up any stage. Tonight they bring you into their world of storytelling and mysticism from the perspective of two young women bearing the trials and tribulations of the 21st century.
Saturday, February 25, 3:00 PM (Providence Athenaeum) The Power of the Documentary Special screening + discussion:
Why are docs for all ages? In this time of “alternative facts” and “fake news,” is the role of documentary filmmaking changing? Lots to talk about in one of the city’s premiere conversation spots. Leading the discussion will be Sara Archambault, co-founder and programmer of the award-winning documentary film series The DocYard and a creative producer for numerous documentary film projects over the past 15 years, and Kendall Moore, an award-winning documentary filmmaker and Associate Professor in the departments of Journalism and Film Media at URI.
Saturday, February 25 (Metcalf Auditorium Chace Center/RISD Museum) Follows the 3:45 PM screening of Brothers of the Wind
Peter Green, of PROVIDENCE RAPTORS: Urban Wildlife Photography, presents a slide show of his amazing photographs of the many raptors that fly above us here in Providence. He will introduce you to the wildlife around us, even in the city.
Saturday, February 25, 4:15 PM (RISD Auditorium) Partnership Presentation: My Life as a Zucchini
Presented in partnership with Media Smart Libraries which supports public programming events emphasizing the use of film and media texts to promote expanded literacy in the 21st century. MSL raises awareness that libraries are key agents of change in advancing the digital media literacy of children, teens, and families in their communities.
Sunday, February 26 (RISD Auditorium) Follows the 12:30 PM screening of Gus Outdoors: Then & Now Double Feature
Meet the filmmakers! Gus Outdoors films are always a hit at PCFF. The Rhode island father and son documentary team Sean and Gus Nightingale have expanded their filmmaking crew to include sister Talus! Come watch their latest film Fish Frenzy and they will be ready to answer your questions right after the show.
Sunday, February 26, 3:45 PM (RISD Auditorium) Follows screening of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
Glee Gum “Golden Ticket” contest! All children have a chance to win! In the spirit of Willy Wonka’s Golden Ticket Contest, PCFF has partnered with local candymaker, Glee Gum. We’re giving away a Glee Gum sample pack to the first 100 children attending the screening of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory on Sunday, February 26. Five candy samples will have golden tickets redeemable for a special prize!
What better place to watch a story than in a world full of stories? Free Festival library programming is presented in partnership with and support from Media Smart Libraries, Providence Community Library, Warwick Public Library and Providence Athenaeum.
To amplify and broaden the reach of our programming, PCFF collaborates with organizations in Rhode Island that share our mission and vision that ALL youth deserve access to great visual stories that delight and challenge our audiences along with the skills to be their own creative media makers. For more information about the Festival including film schedule, film descriptions, trailers and a full list of community partners, click here.
Film Screening: Gotta Be Me (PCFF Curated Shorts Collection)
@ Providence Athenaeum – 251 Benefit Street, Providence
Tuesday, February 21, 10:30 AM – 11:40 AM
As Henry David Thoreau stated in Walden: “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.” GOTTA BE ME! has stories of people and animals trying to figure out just who their drummers are. Often, the search is as much fun as the beat.
Ages: All ages / Multi-national 2015-2016 / In English or no dialogue / 68 min
Limited space. Pre-registration strongly recommended. Visit www.pcffri.org for details.
Mini Doc Film Screening: Ashley Bryan’s World
@ Providence Athenaeum – 251 Benefit Street, Providence
Tuesday, February 21, 11:45 AM – 12:15 PM – may be followed by Reel Connection program
The mind of this 93-year-old artist from Maine skips and jumps like a child’s. Yet he is a spiritually deep and erudite creative wonder and poet/illustrator of 50 children’s books, who makes magical puppets and beautiful sea glass windows from found objects inspired by his African heritage.
Ages 8+ / USA 2016 / Dir. Richard Kane / 34 min
Filmmaking Workshop: Animate the Library!
@ Washington Park Library (Providence Community Library) – 1316 Broad Street, Providence
Tuesday, February 21, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Share your library love and learn the craft of animated storytelling as you create a collaborative short film!
Ages: 8+ / 120 min. Drop-in. Limited space. Tickets not available online. Please register by visiting the Washington Park Library, calling (401) 781-3136 or emailing Leah Lubman (llubman@provcomlib.org).
All the Wiser (PCFF Curated Shorts Collection)
@ Warwick Public Library, 600 Sandy Lane, Warwick
Wednesday, February 22, 10:30 AM – Noon – followed by Reel Connection programFilm Screening:
Some of the most effective lessons we learn in life are through unplanned experiences. A hedgehog’s fascination with snow, an aspiring kitten witch and an absent-minded father are just some of the characters who grow wiser by the time the credits roll.
Ages: 8+ / Multi-national 2015-2016 / In English or w/English subtitles / 67 min
Limited space. Please register at the Warwick Public Library or WPL website: www.warwicklibrary.org/childrens/events/5428/providence-childrens-film-festival.
Film Screening: Finding Your Voice (PCFF Curated Shorts Collection) – followed by Reel Connection program
@ Knight Memorial Library -275 Elmwood Avenue, Providence
Wednesday, February 22, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
For most people it takes some time to feel confident in who they are or what they do well. This eclectic compilation of stories from around the world follows characters endeavoring to discover what they identify with—with varying results.
Ages: 8+ / Multi-national 2015-2016 / In English or w/English subtitles / 64 min
Limited space. Tickets not available online. Please register by visiting the Knight Memorial Library, calling 401-467-2625, or emailing Melissa Rivera (mrivera@provcomlib.org).
Film Screening: Magic Carpet Ride 2017 (PCFF Curated Shorts Collection)
@ Warwick Public Library, 600 Sandy Lane, Warwick – may be followed by Reel Connection program
Thursday, February 23, 10:30 AM – Noon
Jump on the PCFF magic carpet and get ready to ride! You will witness balancing submarines, sugar-fueled tricycle chases and a piccolo just wanting to be heard. This year’s reel transports you to lands as close as NYC and as far away as Germany, Russia, Japan and Australia.
All ages / Multi-national 2015-2016 / In English or no dialogue / 68 min
Limited space. Please register at the Warwick Public Library or WPL website: www.warwicklibrary.org/childrens/events/5429/providence-childrens-film-festival.
Filmmaking Workshop: Stop-Motion Animation
@ Wanskuck Library (Providence Community Library) – 233 Veazie Street, Providence
Friday, February 24, 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Stories come to life at the library! Our library animation workshop includes a screening of animated shorts to inspire, and hands-on time to create your own stories while learning about film animation. Drop in, stay as long as you like. Due to limited space, pre-registration is recommended.
All ages / 120 min
Limited space. Tickets not available online. Please register by visiting the Wanskuck Library, calling (401) 274-4145, or emailing Molly Osborne (mosborne@provcomlib.org).
Special Screening + Discussion: The Power of the Documentary
@ Providence Athenaeum, 251 Benefit Street, Providence
Saturday, February 25, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM – Reel Connection program
Special screening and discussion geared for professional filmmakers, educators, students and documentary fans.
Ages 10+ / 90 min
FREE! PCFF Cinema Passports Travel the world with Providence Children’s Film Festival! We invite youth to explore new places, discover fresh ideas and make real world connections while watching movies. HOW TO USE PASSPORT: Track your film travels and record your ratings and opinions about the stories you watch. Get a stamp for every feature film or shorts program you watch.
PLUS SPECIAL SCREENING: My Life as a Zucchini (Ma vie de Courgette)
Saturday, February 25, 4:15 PM – RISD Auditorium, 17 Canal Walk (across from RISD Museum), Providence.
TICKETS REQUIRED ($8 Youth / $10 Adults). Details: www.pcffri.org
Presented in partnership with Media Smart Libraries in partnership. MSL supports public programming events emphasizing the use of film and media texts to promote expanded literacy in the 21st century. This Festival screening of MY LIFE AS A ZUCCHINI, hopes to bring awareness that libraries are key agents of change in advancing the digital media literacy of children, teens, and families in their communities. (Download Film Guide)
ABOUT THE FILM: Arguably, this French-language claymation cuts closer to the reality of the foster home experience than live-action melodramas like ANNIE or MATILDA ever did. Director Claude Barras tells a simple story simply, drawing power from Zucchini’s point of view as the troubled 9-year-old recounts his stint in a group home following the death of his alcoholic mother. The kids living in this home all have pasts shaded with tragic circumstances including suicide, abuse and drugs. The story could have been devastatingly dark, but it addresses issues with subtlety and delicacy that neither condescends to nor scars younger audiences. The clean and simple animation style works in wonderful contrast to the difficult subject matter, and the characters’ expressive faces give us hope for the innocence and resilience of children. MY LIFE AS A ZUCCHINI is authentic, empathetic, and ultimately uplifting. Golden Globe nominee for Best Animation 2016, Switzerland’s Official 2016 Academy Awards Entry for Best Foreign Language Film.Ages: 13+ (coarse language, discussion of sex, mention of abuse and suicide) / Switzerland, France 2016 / French (w/English subtitles) / Dir. Claude Barras / 66 min
- 2017 Academy Award Nomine for Best Animated Feature
- Golden Globe nominee for Best Animation 2016
- Switzerland’s Official Academy Awards Entry for Best Foreign Language Film 2016
The 8th Providence Children’s Film Festival kicks off Friday, February 17 at the RISD Museum’s Metcalf Auditorium. This special ticketed event will begin at 5:30pm, featuring delicious treats and beverages provided by Delsie Catering & Events, Campus Fine Wines and Munroe Dairy. Following the reception, guests will enjoy a 30-minute screening of Short ‘n Sweet Shorts, international PCFF-curated short films for children of all ages.
At 7:30pm, watch the beautifully crafted claymation film, My Life As A Zucchini (Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee for Best Animation). This tender tale (suggested for ages 13+) of children living in an orphanage due to the devastating life circumstances addresses challenging issues with subtlety and delicacy without being condescending to younger audiences. The clean and simple animation style works in wonderful contrast to the difficult subject matter, and the characters’ expressive faces give us hope for the innocence and resilience of children. My Life As A Zucchini is authentic, empathetic, and ultimately uplifting.
Note: A second screening of My Life As A Zucchini, sponsored by Media Smart Libraries, will take place during the Festival on Saturday, February 25, 4:15pm at RISD Auditorium, 17 Canal Walk (across from RISD Museum), Providence.
Media Smart Libraries, in partnership with PCFF, supports public programming events emphasizing the use of film and media texts to promote expanded literacy in the 21st century. This Festival screening of My Life as a Zucchini, hopes to bring awareness that libraries are key agents of change in advancing the digital media literacy of children, teens, and families in their communities.
Click here to buy tickets for Opening Night.
The Providence Children’s Film Festival takes place February 17-26 at main venues within walking distance of downtown Providence and at satellite venues across the state. With more than 10 days of screenings, filmmaking workshops and free activities, along with post-film presentations that help deepen the film-watching experience, this year’s Festival will bring a world of film to even more Rhode Island youth and families. For full schedule and ticket details, visit www.pcffri.org.
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED.
Want to learn how to make a movie? Registration is now open for the 2017 PCFF Youth Filmmaking Workshops for ages 6 to 14. Learn the art of animation, how to make sounds, create special effects and more! All participants’ films will be included in the 2017 PCFF Group Workshop Reel, shown on the big screen during the Festival! Find class details and registration below. Classes often sell out, so don’t delay – register today!
Click to watch 2016 Group Workshop Reel
Saturday, February 11th
NEW! Found Object Character Creation Animation
Saturday, 9:30am – 12:30pm
Ages 6 – 12
Learn how to design characters from everyday objects then bring them to life! Workshop participants will learn how to conceptualize and build an actual character using trash from home and/or recycled supplies provided. Starting with pencil and paper, participants will then create a storyboard and film a sequence with their own “creature.”
Claymation
Saturday, 9:30am–12:30pm
Saturday, 1:00pm–4:00 pm
Ages 6 – 10
Explore the art of Claymation. Make things grow, disappear and smile…in clay! Using clay, students experiment with simple forms and textures.
LIVE ACTION! Green Screen
Saturday, 1:00pm–4:00pm
Ages 10 – 14
Ever wondered how a green screen works? In this workshop students learn the fundamentals of green screening special effects and take turns filming themselves in front of a green screen then in front of backgrounds based on their own artwork.
Sunday, February 12th
Pixilation and Lightpainting Fun
Sunday, 9:30am–12:30pm
Ages 8 – 14
Animate light and people! Simple flashlights become our paintbrushes in this workshop. Using a dark room and flashlights, students generate moving light with long exposure photography. Make simple, repeated shapes with light source to generate the illusion of glowing, animated light. Kids will also learn the animation technique of pixilation. The class will “race” each other without running…a la Norman McLaren.
Character Adventure with Sound Effects
Sunday, 9:30am–12:30pm
Ages 8 – 14
Make your characters come to life with sound! In this class students discuss the role of sound in animation and learn to use sound effects.
LIVE ACTION! Special Effects and Camera Tricks
Sunday, 1:00am–4:00pm
Ages 10 – 14
Discover the world behind practical special effects using common ingredients. Concoctions of slime, blood, and alien drool will be made in class. Learn how to use a camera to fly, slide, and teleport!
“Explore New Worlds” Adventure Animation
Sunday, 1:00am–4:00pm
Ages 6 – 10
Ever dreamed about traveling the world by plane, boat, or automobile? Or flying to outer space to see new worlds? Bring your imagination and learn the art of animated storytelling. Work as a group to create an out-of-this-world adventure film!
FEE: $60 per 3-hour workshop. Includes material / equipment fee PLUS allows student and 1 guest to attend the 2017 Youth Filmmaker Showcase free of charge. Limited scholarships are available. Last year ALL the workshops sold out. Don’t wait! Register today! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
All workshops take place in the RISD Auditorium Building, 17 Canal Walk, Providence, RI 02903. Use Market Square entrance, across from RISD Museum. Click here for map.
WAITLIST: Class sold out? Click here to be added to the workshop waitlist.
For more information regarding workshops, please contact Alyssa Biolchini at office@pcffri.org or 401-209-7585.
Save the dates! The 8th Annual Providence Children’s Film Festival will take place February 17 – 26, 2017 at multiple venues within walking distance of downtown Providence.
We are now accepting films for the 2017 Festival!
Click HERE for general film submissions details. Are you a Youth Filmmaker? Click here for YFS submission details.
The Providence Children’s Film Festival (PCFF) presents the best of independent and international children’s cinema to inspire, delight, educate and connect a diverse community of children and families from Rhode Island and throughout New England.
Our annual Festival brings the world to our children and our community through important films made from extraordinary, often unrecognized filmmakers from all over the globe. Each year we search for films appropriate for youth and children with interesting stories, that offers wisdom and multiple cultural perspectives and connections across all ages. Through our thoughtfully selected films, we hope to demonstrate the artistry and craft of filmmaking and provide opportunities to discuss the stories, people and connections from near and afar.
If you or your business is interested in sponsoring the 2017 Festival, click here to learn how.