PCFF Reel Connections make real connections between on-screen experiences 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!

Please note the Reel Connections follow the films unless noted.

Saturday, February 17

(Avon Cinema) Revolting Rhymes
After you’ve seen this Oscar-nominated film, take home an art activity bag (first 50 kids) that puts the story in your hands! Roald Dahl took classic fairy tales and twisted them together to make a totally new story. You can make your own story spinners, masks, and props to endlessly re-imagine these tales in your own, revolting way.  Designed by local artists Ricky Katowicz and Alison Paul and brought to you by the Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy and its summer Art in the Park program.

(Avon Cinema) The Breadwinner
Join students from Community Prep School, an independent middle school in South Providence, to hear their impressions about life under the Taliban.  Students will present selections from their journals that explore the differences between the film and the original book.

(Fireplace Room, Gilder Center for the Arts) Get Up! Stand Up!After watching the film “Compartments,” make your own memory box!  Use a range of materials to create a multi-dimensional representation of your memories. We’ll ask some thought-provoking questions to get you going, then let you loose with your creativity to guide the process.

(Gilder Center for the Arts) More than a Selfie
Participate in a filmmaker Q&A with producer Stephanie Serra (“Christine”) and director Mario Morin (“Sacred Hair”).

“Sacred Hair”

(AS220 Main Stage) Jeffrey
Before the screening of Jeffrey come for a dynamic solo hip hop performance. Nate Johnson, an 11th grade dancer from the Trinity Academy for Performing Arts (TAPA), will perform. He’ll also take questions from the audience about his experience as a young artist. Johnson is a dance major at TAPA, where his department strives to re-center conceptual dance and contemporary art around authentic expressive movement and Afro-Latin traditions.

Sunday, February 18

(Gilder Center for the Arts/Wheeler School) Just Charlie
Join Kit and her parents as she tells her story of gender transformation and discusses her impressions of the film Just Charlie.

(Everett Company & Stage) Youth Filmmaker Showcase (Volume 1)
Attending youth filmmakers describe their inspiration, process and challenges in making their film during this lively filmmaker Q&A moderated by PCFF Director of Programming, Eric Bilodeau.

Monday, February 19

(Fireplace Room, Gilder Center for the Arts/Wheeler School) The World Around Us
On the heels of the short film “The Piñata King,” come create your own mini-pinata.  The Piñata King might make big piñatas now, but he started small when he learned from his sister.  We’ll explore what it means to make something beautiful when destruction is its destiny.

(Fireplace Room, Gilder Center for the Arts/Wheeler School) Liyana
Join Wheeler School middle school students for a talk about the power of storytelling.  Students will present excerpts of their creative writing and probe the links between their expressive works and the film.

Tuesday, February 20

(Providence Athenaeum) Let’s Get Animated! Participate in a filmmaker Q&A with “Paddleball Hole” director Keith Cantrell.

(Providence Athenaeum) Captain K9
Ask your questions and meet the canine star during this filmmaker Q&A with director Raz Cunningham.

Wednesday, February 21

(Barrington Public Library) Hero Steps
Colombian natives Maria “Ceci” Cano of Colombia in Rhode Island, a Colombian cultural education group, and Javier Centeno, former professional soccer player is a Youth Development Coordinator for Central Falls School Department at Calcutt Middle School and Co-Founder of Project Goal, RI – an academic and soccer afterschool program- talk about the importance of soccer in Colombian culture. And Jeannine Chartier, Executive & Artistic Director of VSA arts Rhode Island, provides perspective on the many capabilities of people with disabilities.

Friday, February 23

(AS220) Just Charlie
Join Kit and her parents as she tells her story of gender transformation and discusses her impressions of the film Just Charlie.

(AS220) Bizarro (Reel Connection precedes the film screening.)
Join us for a special presentation by visual performance artist Ricky Rainbow Beard!  He’ll present a mini-show Go Electric? featuring special special guests, cartoons, games, singing, dancing, coloring, yelling, and eating. Ricky says, “This time we will plug things in for real.” Remember to ask why!

Saturday, February 24

(Metcalf Auditorium @ RISD Museum) Magic Carpet Ride 2018
Film director Stephanie Kemp (“F is for Friends”) will be in attendance, and after the screening she’ll field your questions about making a short film.  Find out what inspired her exploration of friendship, imagination, kindness and inclusion.

(RISD Auditorium) Liyana
Can stories heal a hurt? Rhode Island-based master storyteller Len Cabral talks about the transformative power of storytelling and brings us his take on the nature of collective story writing in Liyana.  He has electrified audiences around the world with his weaving of global tales.

Len Cabral

(Metcalf Auditorium @ RISD Museum) Families in Flight
Sydney Healey, a case manager within the refugee resettlement department at Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island, will speak immediately after the films about the important resettlement work they do here in Rhode Island. Sydney will also be joined by Mustafa Alshawaf, originally from Syria, resettled in Providence July 2016 by Dorcas International. He will discuss his own family in flight story and how Rhode Island ended up being his destination.

Sunday, February 25

(Metcalf Auditorium @ RISD Museum) The Breadwinner
Aisha Manzoor from Rhode Island Council for Muslim Advancement and Sadiqa, an Afghan immigrant, will speak after the screening about the current conditions for girls and women in Afghanistan.

(RISD Auditorium) Revolting Rhymes
Stay after the Oscar-nominated film and do an art project “Revolting Rhymes: Spin a Story!” with artists Ricky Katowicz and Alison Paul that puts the story in your hands. Roald Dahl took classic fairy tales and twisted them together to make a totally new story. Let’s make our own story spinners, masks, and props to endlessly re-imagine these tales in our own, revolting way. Brought to you by the Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy.

(RISD Auditorium) Youth Filmmaker Showcase (Volume 2)
This short film collection was curated in partnership with the RISD Museum teen program, RISD Art Circle (RAC). Following screening, RAC teens will facilitate a Q&A with attending youth filmmakers.

A Reel Connection to READING! Check out these Film to Book recommendations from Providence Community Library librarians.

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!

Sunday, February 14 from 10:30am – 12:30pm

@ RISD Museum (Metcalf Auditorium) – Chace Center, 20 North Main Street, Providence, RI

This special event includes short films and conversation, presented in partnership with Media Smart Libraries, a grant-funded project awarded to the Graduate School of Library and Information Studies at URI.

What makes a film worth watching? Learn how to be a film sleuth and how to encourage kids to think more deeply about what they watch. Eric Bilodeau, Director of Programming, leads a PCFF Cinema Detective program teaching kids how to decode film. Afterward, educator Sarah Yahm introduces the new PCFF Film Hub, showing families, teachers, and librarians a new way to find quality films and resources that can inspire programming, spark conversation and make community connections.

Free. Open to the public.

The Media Smart Libraries project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Grant # LG-07-14-0045-14

Este proyecto ha sido posible en parte por el Instituto de Servicios de Museos y Bibliotecas, # LG-07-14-0045-14 

Saturday, February 20 from 5:00pm – 6:00pm
@ Providence Athenaeum – 251 Benefit St, Providence

Sesame Street film producer, Kim Wright demystifies the film and animation commissioning process, reviewing the “do’s and dont’s” of pitching to Sesame Street, and sharing some of her most loved shorts from the past few seasons!

Ages: All Ages. Geared for professional filmmakers and students.
Cost: Free. Limited space. Pre-reservation strongly recommended. Reserve Tickets

ABOUT KIM WRIGHT | Film Producer, Sesame Street

Kim Wright joined the Workshop four and a half years ago as the Film Producer, commissioning live action, animated, and mixed media short films for Sesame Street. She works closely with the filmmakers and production companies to guide them through the creative process in order to shape the films to best meet the show’s specific letter and thematic needs, while also staying within the films’ budget. She oversees all aspects of creative development of the films and animations, from conception and deal-making, to production and delivery. As a means of finding new filmmakers and animators to partner with, Kim attends various children’s film festivals and media conferences throughout the US and abroad. In 2013, she had the opportunity to travel to Melbourne, Australia to the SPA (Screen Producers Australia) conference to speak about Sesame Street’s partnership with an Australian production company for the making of the live action music video “5 Kangaroos,” which featured one of Australia’s top pop stars, Jessica Mauboy.

Prior to joining the Sesame Street family, Kim had been a producer for over 11 years. She spent the majority of her career as a daytime television producer, working for Telepictures, NBC, and Paramount Pictures, and producing several national daytime talk shows, including The Queen Latifah Show, The John Walsh Show and The Montel Williams Show. Her experience has allowed her to help make viewers dreams come true, reunite family members, and help young people tackle such issues as bullying, addiction, and racism. In 2006, as Montel’s Senior Producer, she even had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change lives by traveling all the way to the Persian Gulf. While there, Kim helped Montel surprise the troops for the holidays with messages from their loved ones, and give them the opportunity to share their personal stories.

Kim has a BA in Radio/Television from The George Washington University. She lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband and two young children.

• Erin Davis, “The Land” filmmaker
• Michele Meek, filmmaker and educator
• Janice O’Donnell, Providence PlayCorps director

Click here for details.

Saturday, February 21

ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL
Screening: 1:55pm (Granoff Center for the Arts, Brown University)
Make local connections: Learn more about The Walking School Bus in Providence from the Family Services of RI

Family Service of Rhode Island provides volunteer-led walk routes to help a number of young students, living within a mile of school, to walk to and from school. This program promotes school attendance, which is critical to learning. View a video about the program and their need for your support during this cold, snowy winter. Volunteer and/or donate mittens, gloves, hats etc. to help keep the Walking School Bus kids warm!

We’ll be collecting mittens, gloves and hats after the screening!

ANTBOY WORKSHOP: Super Weaknesses!
11:30am – 12:30pm (Gilder Center for the Arts, Wheeler School)
Space limited. Pre-registration required on site.

Kids will collaboratively generate a team of weirdo Superheroes and dive into their odd weaknesses and incredible origin stories!
Instructor: Walker Mettling, Providence Comics Consortium

ANTBOY
Screening: 12:55 – 2:15pm (Gilder Center for the Arts, Wheeler School)
Dress as your favorite superhero!
Followed by Superhero presentation with Eric Fulford

WORKSHOP: Make Your Own Instruments
3:10pm – 4:10pm (Gilder Center for the Arts, Wheeler School)
All ages. Drop in any time!

The Okee Dokee Brothers know there’s no need for fancy-pants equipment when you want to play a tune. Make your own instruments from common materials at this drop-in instrument-making workshop.  Learn to make spoons, washboard, shakers, tin can drums and a DIY banjo!
Teacher: Lindsay Meehan, Mary Ann Hall’s Music for Children
Assistant: Katie Fairhead, playScience!

OKEE DOKEE BROTHERS
Screening: 4:35pm (Gilder Center for the Arts, Wheeler School)
Following the screening join the parade out of the theater
with your newly made instruments from the workshop!

SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN
Screening: 6:05pm (Gilder Center for the Arts, Wheeler School)
After the film, stay for a performance with Brian Jones, professional tap dancer!

Sunday, February 22

Free Flip Book Movie Making and Art Activity
All Day (RISD Museum – Chace Center for the Arts)

Meet Papa Cloudy and friends!
11:00- 2:00pm (RISD Museum – Chace Center for the Arts)
Director Akiko McQuerrey of PAPA CLOUDY’S RESTAURANT
will be in the lobby with the puppets she used to make for the movie.

YOUTH FILMMAKER SHOWCASE
Screening: 1:45-3:15pm (RISD Museum – Chace Center for the Arts)
Two youth filmmakers will be in attendance for a post-film Q&A:
Amy Vogel (Director) ALEX AND THE LUCKY GUM and Harleigh Wacker (Director) THE LAST ZOMBIE

PATEMA INVERTED
Screening: 11:20am (Gilder Center for the Arts, Wheeler School)
Let’s talk gravity with Conroy Baltzell, Brown University Physics Student

ULISES AND THE 10,000 MUSTACHES
Screening: 1:50pm (Gilder Center for the Arts, Wheeler School)
We’ve got mustaches! Free mustaches will be handed out to kids entering cinema! Take your picture and post it to Instagram with the tag #PCFF2015

PCFF 2015 AWARDS CEREMONY & RECEPTION
5:35pm (Gilder Center for the Arts, Wheeler School)
Join us as we close out the 2015 Festival season with our annual awards ceremony! Stay for pizza donated by Flatbread Company Providence and other refreshments.

Workshops and Film Talks offer families an opportunity to engage in film topics beyond the screening.

The 5th Annual Providence Children’s Film Festival presents over a dozen family FILM TALKs. This series brings directors, screenwriters, actors and experts directly to our audiences to enhance, enrich and deepen the film-going experience. Post film conversations and programming offer the opportunity to engage in film topics beyond the screening, to help audiences of all ages better understand challenging and diverse subject matter and to spark even richer family conversations that reach beyond the Festival itself.

2014 Film Talk Schedule

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