THE SUBMISSION WINDOW IS NOW OPEN for the 12th Annual Providence Children’s Film Festival.

DEADLINES :
Early Bird: September 30, 2020
Regular: October 31, 2020
Late: November 20, 2020

Notification Date: January 22, 2021

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 12th Annual Providence Children’s Film Festival will return February 12 – 21, 2021. 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:

• Feature Length Narrative: PCFF seeks feature films with content that speaks positively to children, teens and families from diverse ages, backgrounds and ethnicities. Films that are entertaining and/or challenging to young minds with narratives 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.
• Feature Length Documentary: Documentaries are very popular with our audiences of all ages. The focus can be about but not limited to people, places, food, music and/or global or local issues that expand the perspective or inspire young minds.
• Short Film: Never judge a film by its running time! We know it’s not easy to make a great short film. Time is limited! PCFF seeks live-action, animation, documentary, experimental and music films that present compelling stories, inform, delight and/or inspire creative thought in the minds of all ages.
• Youth Filmmaker Showcase: PCFF is committed to nurturing the work of young filmmakers. Created in 2014, the Youth Filmmaker Showcase (YFS) celebrates the artistic talents of youth from here in Rhode Island and around the world. This juried show of local, national and international films by young filmmakers includes opportunities for these artists to share their vision and discuss their inspiration and production challenges. Films created/produced by youths, ages 6 to 17, are considered youth-produced. Schools and youth filmmaking organizations are welcome to submit on behalf of their students.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SITE SPECIFIC NAMED PRESENTING SPONSOR OF PROVIDENCE CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL

Festival’s Eleventh Edition to Take Place February 14 – 23, 2020

Providence, RI: November 25, 2019 –The Providence Children’s Film Festival (PCFF) and Site Specific today announced a new partnership deal naming Site Specific as Presenting Sponsor of the 2020 festival. Now in its second decade, PCFF brings the community together to share in the joys of international and independent cinema, workshops and discussions that engage, inspire, educate and delight youth and families.

“We could not be more thrilled to announce this collaboration with Site Specific,” said Rachel Colaiace, Managing Director of PCFF. “Our sponsors provide critical support that allows PCFF to expand the reach and impact of the festival, and to team up with a company that has demonstrated a consistent commitment to Rhode Island and its residents is a perfect fit for us.”

The new partnership, which commences with the Festival’s 2020 edition, includes additional support for the free PCFF programs provided in the Providence Parks, thus extending the reach of the festival into more neighborhoods.

“Site Specific is pleased to be the Presenting Sponsor for the 2020 Providence Children’s Film Festival. PCFF is a nationally recognized, local treasure right here in our own backyard and one that Site Specific is proud to partner with,” Said Peter Crump, Founding Partner of Site Specific. “We believe children’s filmmaking is an important way to support young people and their creativity; it’s also an extraordinary example of what happens when we combine art and play.”

About the Providence Children’s Film Festival
The annual Providence Children’s Film Festival takes place in February at multiple venues within walking distance of downtown Providence, with over ten days of screenings, filmmaking workshops, and free activities, along with post-film conversations that help deepen the film-watching experience and foster critical thinking skills. During the festival, PCFF screens an average of 18 feature-length and over 100 short films—including live-action, documentary, and animation—made by filmmakers from around the world. Since 2014, PCFF has included the Youth Filmmaker Showcase, a juried program of films made by youth, followed by an opportunity for young filmmakers to talk about both the fun and the challenges they face during the creative process. For more details visit https://providencechildrensfilmfestival.org

About Site Specific
Site Specific is one of the leading open shop general contracting and construction management firms in the region. The company’s mission is to seamlessly merge the architecture, design, and construction processes while cultivating a client focused approach. Since the company’s inception in 2004, Site Specific has been passionate about making opportunities for play and culture affordable and accessible to all children in our community. For additional information about Site Specific, visit https://www.sitespecificllc.com
PRESS CONTACTS:

PCFF:
Amy Larkin
Marketing and Sponsorship, Providence Children’s Film Festival
(401) 862-0839, amywarnerlarkin@gmail.com

Site Specific:
Jennier Fonseca
Director of Marketing and Client Services
(401) 632-4400, jfonseca@sitespecificllc.com

A decade of presenting the best of independent and international children’s cinema. A decade of inspiring, delighting, educating, and connecting diverse audiences. A decade recognized as one of the premiere film festivals in the country for children and youth. A decade of the Providence Childrenʼs Film Festival.

• Nurtured young filmmakers, sharing their work and offering imaginative hands-on classes investigating the craft of filmmaking.

• Deepened shared viewing experiences through lively post-film conversations, cultivating connections and challenging young audiences to think critically about the image-saturated world around them.

• Partnered with 50+ community organizations, including local libraries, to present free film screenings and programs, part of our commitment to access for all audiences.
• Launched the FILM HUB, an online collection of resources and activities that foster film education and access to our curated selection of Festival films.
• Received RI Council for the Humanities’ Innovation in the Humanities Award for outreach and programs exploring and inspiring storytelling and literacy via film.

Thursday, October 4 from 4-6pm
PCFF Office @ Hope Artiste Village – 1005 Main St (#1211/2nd floor), Pawtucket, RI 02860

Infuse your curriculum with extra spice and inspiration this year! Join us at Providence Children’s Film Festival Headquarters to learn about our new Get Reel! field trips during the Festival and how PCFF can bring a mini-Festival to your school or youth-serving organization. Enjoy a sampling of films along with a delightful demonstration of available classroom resources. Drop in or stay for the whole happy hour. And since you have left the workplace, there will be “adult grape juice” along with some tasty treats!

RSVP for this FREE event. Open to K-12 teachers and youth providers.

Learn more about Get Reel! programs HERE.
Still have questions? Contact office@ProvidenceChildrensFilmFestival.org

A BENEFIT IN SUPPORT OF PROVIDENCE CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAMMING

The Providence Children’s Film Festival’s 10th Anniversary season kicks off with a fun-filled evening under the stars. Bring your lawn chairs and coolers for a summer evening of short films and live music to benefit the Providence Children’s Film Festival Decade of Wonder Campaign! This family-friendly evening is hosted by PCFF Volunteer and Special Events Coordinator Kristin Matthews at her home in Edgewood.

Enjoy live youth bands beginning at 5:30, followed by a selection of PCFF’s best short films from the last 10 years at 7:45. This is a relaxed, casual evening so bring your own lawn chairs, beverages, snacks or picnic dinner.

Suggested donation online or at the door of $10 per person or $25 per family.

Friday, August 24, 2018

5:30 – 7:30pm   Live Music
7:45 – 9:30pm  Screening

drop in anytime!

72 Columbia Avenue, Cranston RI 02905

The Decade of Wonder Campaign supports scholarships, admission-free screenings and tuition-free workshops, giving more children and families opportunities to explore imaginative filmmaking activities and discover exceptional international films.

Sorry kids, this one’s not for you. Don’t miss this once-a-year screening to support the Providence Children’s Film Festival’s curated film programming from around the globe! For all of us adults who love the Festival as much as the children do, Eric Bilodeau, Director of Programming, will lightheartedly showcase what he calls “the best of the worst”—submitted films that left us wondering how ANYONE might have thought they were appropriate for young viewers. It’s an eclectic mix, ranging from movies with mature themes to films that make one slap their forehead in disbelief. Nothing dull here!

This entertaining evening includes complimentary wine and beer by Campus Fine Wines, appetizing treats by Easy Entertaining and divine desserts by The Cupcakerie. And bid on incredible auction items including a Cricket Cinema party package, a 3-night stay in a Maine cabin, and more!

Saturday, April 7, 2018
Providence Athenaeum, 251 Benefit Street, Providence, 02903

6:00 pm, drinks/appetizers and live and silent auctions followed by desserts and screening
Tickets to this enchanting evening of films are $55 each or 2 for $100. Limited seating.

BUY TICKETS HERE.

Check it out now! The Providence Children’s Film Festival FILM HUB is a collection of resources designed to promote year-round film education and access to the best of independent and international children’s cinema.

• Search our film directory of past Festival films (85 feature films, 45 short film collections, and growing!)
• Download film guides with discussion questions and activities
• Reference the film glossary to explore the language of movie-making
  
• Use the activity reel to extend fun and learning with any film
  

Providence Children’s Film Festival Announces 2016 Awards

The Providence Children’s Film Festival (PCFF) wrapped up its seventh festival season by announcing Audience Choice and Special Jury Awards, along with a new Hasbro Inc. Special Hospital Jury Award. This year’s festival included 16 feature-length films (including 10 Rhode Island premieres) and over 75 shorts from around the world.

In the category of Audience Choice Awards, Best Feature Film went to LANDFILL HARMONIC, (USA-Paraguay, 2015 / Spanish (w/English subtitles) / Dir. Brad Allgood, Graham Townsley). Second Place went to PAPER PLANES (Australia, 2014 / Dir. Robert Connolly) and Third Place went to RAINBOW (India, 2015 / Dir. Nagesh Kukunoor).

The award for Best Short went to SUPERSONIC (United Kingdom, 2015 / English and sign language / Dir. Samuel Dore). Second Place went to BEAR STORY (Chile, 2015 / Dir. Gabriel Osorio Vargas) and Third Place was awarded to THE PRESENT (Germany, 2014 / Dir. Jacob Frey).

In the category of Special Jury Awards, Best Feature went to T-REX (USA, 2015 / Dir. Drea Cooper, Zackary Canepari) and THIS TIME IT’S SHOPPING (USA, 2015 / Dir. Chek Wingo) received the Best Short award.

New this year, PCFF brought the film festival experience to hospitalized children through a new pilot program with funding received from the Hasbro Children’s Fund, the grantmaking arm of Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS). The “HASBRO INC. Film Festival Jury” is uniquely designed for hospitalized children to participate in the Festival, giving young patients the opportunity to watch and review a curated selection of films and choose a winner for the 2016 Hasbro Inc. Special Hospital Jury Award. The film receiving the first-ever Hasbro Inc. Special Hospital Jury Award is the short film HANSEL & GRETEL (USA, 2014 / Music / Dir. Soyeon Kim).

• Maya the Bee – 10:00am
• PCFF Shorts: Kindergarten – 12:00pm
• Youth Filmmaker Showcase Multi-Regional Edition – 1:45pm
• PCFF Shorts: Middle/High Volume 1 – 3:30pm
• Note: The free screening of Ulisses and 10,000 Mustaches is canceled.

An additional screening of Oscar nominated Song of the Sea will take place at the Avon Cinema at 10:00am on Saturday, February 21. Purchase your tickets ahead of time HERE!