THE SUBMISSION WINDOW IS NOW OPEN for the 11th Annual Providence Children’s Film Festival.

DEADLINES :
Early Bird: September 30, 2019
Regular: October 25, 2019
Late: November 23, 2019

PCFF welcomes international films including documentary, live action, animated, experimental and youth-made films that inspire our viewers to think about the world in a new way.

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.

The 11th Annual Providence Children’s Film Festival will return February 14 – 23, 2020. The annual Festival brings the world to our children and community through important films made by extraordinary, often unrecognized filmmakers from all over the globe. Each year we search for films appropriate for youth and children with interesting stories that offer 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 far.

CRITERIA: The PCFF Film Jury selects films with content that speaks positively to young audiences and families from culturally diverse backgrounds. Please consider submitting if you have created work that can speak to all, including children and/or teens. We seek films that are entertaining and/or challenging to young minds with serious, true-to-life topics and narratives that may span a range of emotions. The film need not have a “storybook” ending to find a place in our Festival. PCFF welcomes foreign films with subtitles, documentaries, live action, animation and even experimental films that may inspire our viewers to think about the world in a new way.

CATEGORIES:

AWARDS:

Audience Choice Award Best Feature Live Action Film
Audience Choice Award Best Feature Animated Film
Audience Choice Award Best Feature Documentary Film
Audience Choice Award Best Short Live Action Film
Audience Choice Award Best Short Animated Film
Audience Choice Award Best Short Documentary Film
Special Jury Award Best Feature Film
Special Jury Award Best Short Live Action Film
Special Jury Award Best Short Animated Film
Global Awareness Short Film Award
Children’s Hospital Jury Award
Emerging Filmmaker Award

 

We are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2019 Providence Children’s Film Festival!

AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS

SPECIAL JURY AWARDS

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL JURY AWARD

PCFF Give Me 5 Youth Film Lab: MAKE A MINUTE MOVIE Challenge
Saturday, Feb. 16 from 11:00am–6:00pm

LOCATION: TAPA – 150 Washington St., Providence
Ages 12 – 17
Cost: $65 includes supplies, brown bag lunch plus 2 passes to see a film at the 10th Annual Providence Children’s Film Festival!

The PCFF Give Me 5 Youth Film Lab challenges Rhode Island youth to work collaboratively to complete a one-minute film, in only 5 hours! Assigned teams guided by a film coach will make a film from beginning to end: brainstorming, writing, storyboarding, acting, filming, and editing. At the end of the lab, parents are invited to watch the finished films and hear the teams discuss the process. Registration details here.

Animation Creation Studio @ Washington Park Library
Tuesday, February 19 from 2:00 – 4:00pm
LOCATION: PCL-Washington Park Library, 1316 Broad St, Providence (02905)
Ages 8 plus or Under 8 accompanied by an adult.
COST: The Washington Park Library drop-in workshop is admission-free. Tickets not available online. Register by contacting Amy Rosa (arosa@provcomlib.org, 401-781-3136) at the library Mon-Fri from 1:00-5:30pm.

Bring your characters and their stories to life through animation! This short workshop gives kids an opportunity to create and learn about animation using storyboards to plan it and easy stop motion techniques to film it! Presented in partnership with Rhode Island Museum of Science and Art (RIMOSA).

PLUS! The RIMOSA Animation Station will arrive by January 9 and will be at the WPL site until Feb. 20th. Animation Station is a one stop shop for creating animations.  Using an iPad, and an app named “stop motion,” users can take a series of still images that are strung together to create animated movies.  The iPad is attached to an arm that allows you to shoot downward and use the exhibit’s table as a backdrop, or to shoot horizontally for a more three dimensional look — all while seeing your creation come to life on a large overhead monitor.

Animation Creation Studio @ Wanskuck Library
Friday, February 22 from 3:00-4:30pm
LOCATION: PCL-Wanskuck Library, 233 Veazie St, Providence (02904)
Ages 8 plus or Under 8 accompanied by an adult.
COST: The Wanskuck Library drop-in workshop is admission-free. Tickets not available online. Register by contacting Molly Osborne (mosborne@provcomlib.org, 401-274-4145 ext. 4702) at the library Mon-Fri from 1:00-5:30pm.

Become a Human Puppet! Pixilation (from pixilated) is a stop motion technique where live actors are used as a frame-by-frame subject in an animated film, by repeatedly posing while one or more frame is taken and changing pose slightly before the next frame or frames. The actor becomes a kind of living stop motion puppet. Presented in partnership with Rhode Island Museum of Science and Art (RIMOSA).

Stop-Motion Animation Workshops
February 18 & 19, 2019 from 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm and 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Location: Newport Art Museum / Griswold House
All ages welcome.

Following the morning film screenings, join Newport Art Museum educators for an exciting hands-on foray into the world of stop-motion animation. Learn about what stop-motion is, and what kind of story it can tell. Look at an example of a simple, homemade stop motion short, then children will use model magic to make characters and bring their imagination to life in a short video! Space is limited, register today! Click HERE to REGISTER and see full film and workshop schedule at Newport Art Museum

Providence Children’s Film Festival is seeking open, analytical minds of ALL ages to watch and discuss films submitted for Festival consideration. Prepare to give more than a thumbs up or down – we want to know not just what you think of the films but why! Director of Programming Eric Bilodeau promises you a lively evening of 8-10 short films that even he found challenging to score. Grown-ups’ comments are welcome, but kids speak first after every film. (Oh, and did we mention pizza and popcorn will be provided?)

All ages. Free. ONLINE RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED due to limited space. Pizza arrives at 6:00, screening/discussion from 6:30-8:30pm.

2018 Dates (click to register):

Fri, Sept. 7 at Providence Athenaeum
Wed, Oct. 3 at Providence Athenaeum
Thurs, Nov. 6 at Providence Athenaeum
Thurs, Nov. 15 at Newport Art Museum

 

AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS

Best Feature: JUST CHARLIE
United Kingdom, 2017 | In English | Director Rebekah Fortune
2nd Place:  REVOLTING RHYMES
United Kingdom, 2016 | In English | Directors Jakob Schuh, Jan Lachauer 
3rd Place: ABULELE
Israel, 2015 | Hebrew w/ English subtitles | Director Jonathan Geva

 

• • • • •

 

Best Short: SACRED HAIR
From More than a Selfie 2018 (PCFF Shorts Collection)
Canada, 2017 | French w/English subtitles | Director Mario Morin | Live Action | 13 min

2nd Place: CAPTAIN K9
United States, 2017 | In English | Director Raz Cunningham | Live Action | 2017 | 22 min
3rd Place: DEAR HENRI
From Passionate Pursuits (PCFF Shorts Collection)
USA, 2017 | English | Director Matthew Sandager | Live Action-Animation | 13 min

 

 • • • • •

 

Best Documentary:
Spain, 2017 | Spanish w/ English subtitles | Director Pau Ortiz
2nd Place: STEP
United States, 2017 | In English | Director Amanda Lipitz
3rd Place: JEFFREY
Dominican Republic, 2016 | Spanish w/ English subtitles | Director Yanillys Perez

SPECIAL JURY AWARDS

Best Feature: LIYANA
Qatar, Swaziland, United States, 2017 | In English and SiSwati w/English subtitles 
Directors Aaron Kopp, Amanda Kopp 
Spain, 2017 | Spanish w/ English subtitles | Director Pau Ortiz
Colombia, 2017 | Spanish w/ English subtitles | Director Henry Rincón

 

 • • • • •
Best Short: TWO BALLOONS
From Magic Carpet Ride 2018 (PCFF Shorts Collection)
USA, 2017 | No dialog | Director Mark C Smith | 9 min
2nd Place: SACRED HAIR
From More than a Selfie 2018 (PCFF Shorts Collection)
Canada, 2017 | French w/English subtitles | Director Mario Morin | Live Action | 13 min
3rd Place: AMELIA’S CLOSET
From Get Up! Stand Up! (PCFF Shorts Collection)
USA, 2016 | English | Halima Lucas | 17 min | Live Action

HASBRO CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL JURY AWARD

For the third year, PCFF has visited patients at Hospital Children’s Hospital, giving hospitalized youth the opportunity to watch and review a curated selection of Festival films and select an award winner!

 

Best Short:  TWO BALLOONS
From Magic Carpet Ride 2018 (PCFF Shorts Collection)
USA, 2017 | Director Mark C Smith | 9 min

TICKETS NOW ON SALE! Click to see: film schedule, film descriptions, Festival map, or buy tickets here.

The Providence Children’s Film Festival 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. The 9th annual Providence Children’s Film Festival takes place February 16-25 at main venues within walking distance of downtown Providence and at satellite venues across Rhode Island, with over ten days of screenings, filmmaking workshops, and conversations and activities that help deepen the film-watching experience.

During the Festival, PCFF screens an average of 16 feature-length and 75 short films—including live-action, documentary, and animation—made by filmmakers from around the world. Films are selected for their compelling stories with a global perspective that challenge young audiences to better understand the world. PCFF believes in providing enriching shared film opportunities for youth from an early age, inspiring and cultivating a new generation of filmmakers, storytellers, and engaged citizens.  With PCFF Cinema Passports in hand, young filmgoers travel on the magic carpet of film, learning about other countries, cultures and people.

“… a fantastic tradition. I enjoy going with my family and seeing familiar faces each year. Love your community emphasis. You don’t talk down to kids but offer wonderful films for kids and adults of all ages.”–PCFF Festival patron

Youth are Filmmakers and Jurors
To nurture and promote the work of young filmmakers from around the world, the Festival presents the Youth Filmmaker Showcase, a juried show of international youth-made films. At PCFF, young people have a voice from beginning to end. At most youth-focused film festivals, children only serve on award juries, but PCFF’s Film Selection Jury is composed of young film enthusiasts ages 5 to 17 who have a unique opportunity and responsibility: selecting the Festival program from among hundreds of films submitted each year.

PCFF offers clear parental guidance
PCFF-curated films are not always appropriate for all ages. To help parents make informed decisions about what their children see and to provide context for discussions, PCFF film listings include recommended ages, notes on thematic elements, and descriptions of potentially challenging content.

Schedule and ticketing details will be announced in mid-January.

PCFF still has opportunities for sponsors to get involved in the 2018 Festival. Sponsorships begin at $500 and include excellent exposure to enthusiastic family audiences of over 5,000 attendees. Interested businesses and organizations can visit www.ProvidenceChildrensFilmFestival.org/Sponsor for details. For more information or to get involved, contact Megan Fischer, PCFF Development Manager, at Megan@ProvidenceChildrensFilmFestival.org.

More about PCFF

The Providence Children’s Film Festival (PCFF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2009. Our mission is to present the best of independent and international cinema to inspire, delight, educate, and connect a diverse community of children and families from Rhode Island and throughout New England. The new PCFF FILM HUB connects the community year-round with a collection of resources—including a film directory of past festival films and film guides with discussion questions and activities activity reel with—designed to promote film education and access to the best of independent and international children’s cinema.

* The 2018 YFS Film Submission window has closed. We will accept submissions for the 2019 Youth Filmmaking Showcase beginning in May 2018.
(To submit films to the main Festival, click here for General application guidelines.)

YOUTH FILMMAKER SHOWCASE (YFS) 2018

As part of our annual Festival, PCFF is committed to nurturing the work of young “amateur” filmmakers. The 2017 Youth Filmmakers Showcase, curated in partnership with the RISD Museum teen program, the RISD Art Circle. This collection of youth-produced films presents inspiring films from near and far about the fun and challenges in the lives of young people today. Both shows includes Q&A with the RISD Art Circle teen jury and some youth filmmakers.

Click to download 2018 YFS Application.

Invite other friends to submit their films. Click here to download and print flier.

Selections from past Youth Filmmaker Showcases:

Click here to view full selection of past YFS short film collections.

2018 YOUTH FILMMAKER SHOWCASE (YFS) GUIDELINES (Please read carefully.):

DEADLINES AND FEES:

PAYMENT
Please pay your submission fee by:

 

THE SUBMISSION WINDOW IS NOW CLOSED for the 9th Annual Providence Children’s Film Festival. We will begin accepting submissions for the 2019 Festival in May.

PCFF welcomes international films including documentary, live action, animated, experimental and youth-made films that inspire our viewers to think about the world in a new way.

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.

The 9th Annual Providence Children’s Film Festival will return February 16 – 25, 2018. The annual Festival brings the world to our children and 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 offer 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 far.

The PCFF Film Jury selects films with content that speaks positively to young audiences and families from culturally diverse backgrounds. Please consider submitting if you have created work that can speak to all, including children and/or teens. We seek films that are entertaining and/or challenging to young minds with serious, true-to-life topics and narratives that may span a range of emotions. The film need not have a “storybook” ending to find a place in our Festival. PCFF welcomes foreign films with subtitles, documentaries, live action, animation and even experimental films that may inspire our viewers to think about the world in a new way.

SUBMISSION OPTIONS:

FilmFreeway-Logo_2-e1409931968398-300x97

partner_box

Or submit using the 2018 PCFF online submission entry form:

Paypal is available for film submission payment. Click PayPal button below:




 

We are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2017 Providence Children’s Film Festival!

AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS

Belgium, France, 2016 / In French w/ English subtitles / Director Lola Doillon
 
2nd Place: AT EYE LEVEL
Germany, 2016 / In German w/English subtitles / Director  Evi Goldbrunner, Joachim Dollhopf
3rd Place: MY LIFE AS A ZUCCHINI (Ma vie de Courgette)
France, Switzerland, 2016  / In French w/English subtitles / Director Claude Barras
 
* * * * * * * * * *
Best Short: SUMMER CAMP ISLAND
From Finding Your Voice (PCFF Shorts Collection)
USA, 2016 / In English / Director Julia Pott / 9 min

2nd Place: BEST SOUND IN THE WORLD

From Finding Your Voice (PCFF Shorts Collection)
Brazil, 2016 / Portuguese w/English subtitles / Director Pedro Paulo de Andrade / 13 min

3rd Place: SHIRTS TO HEAVEN
From My Best Shot (PCFF Shorts Collection)
Spain, 2016 / Spanish w/English subtitles / Director Jordi Ferre Batalla / 14 min

AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD: BEST DOCUMENTARY

Best Documentary: SONITA

Iran, 2015 / In Farsi w/English subtitles / Director Rokhsareh Ghaem Maghami

2nd Place: RAINBOW DAY CAMP
United States, 2016 / In English / Director Horacio Marquinez

3rd Place: KAYAYO
Ghana, Norway, 2016 / In Dagbani w/English subtitles / Director Mari Bakke Riise

SPECIAL JURY AWARDS

Best Feature: BLANKA
Philippines, 2015 / In Tagalog (w/English subtitles) / Director Kohki Hasei
 
Austria, 2015 / In English / Director Gerardo Oliveares

3rd Place: AT EYE LEVEL (Auf Augenhöhe)
Germany, 2016 / In German w/English subtitles / Director Evi Goldbrunner, Joachim Dollhopf

Best Short: BIRDLIME 
From Finding Your Voice (PCFF Shorts Collection)
Canada, 2016 / No dialog / Director Evan DeRushie / 10 min

2nd Place: CHENELVA AND SHENEEVA
From My Best Shot (PCFF Shorts Collection)
Netherlands, 2016 / Dutch w/English subtitles / Director Leon Bellaart / 14 min

3rd Place: TRIAL & ERROR
From Gotta Be Me! (PCFF Shorts Collection)
Germany, 2016 / English / Director Antje Heyn / 5 min

HASBRO CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL JURY AWARD

For the second year, PCFF brought the film festival experience to patients at Hospital Children’s Hospital. This experience is designed for hospitalized children to participate in the Festival, giving young patients the opportunity to watch and review a curated selection of films and select an award winner!
From Finding Your Voice (PCFF Shorts Collection)
United Kingdom, 2016 / English / Director Steve Boot  / 3 min

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

Kayayo1Wearing 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 WindBrothersWind_OPPITZ Foto m-2789

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

sonita_hires4KALI 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

MSL_MY LIFE AS A ZUCCHINI-Zucchini Main ImagePresented 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.Wonka 5

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!