MISSION & OBJECTIVE
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.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Now in its ninth year, the Providence Children’s Film Festival enhances and energizes the local arts and cultural community and has become of one the most highly anticipated family events of the year. The annual 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 16 feature length films along with over 100 short films, including live-action, documentary, and animation made by filmmakers from around the world. Beginning in 2014, PCFF added 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.
2017 Festival winners were…
Audience Choice Award Best Feature: FANNY'S JOURNEY (Belgium/France, 2016)
Audience Choice Award Best Documentary: SONITA (Iran, 2015)
Audience Choice Award Best Short: SUMMER CAMP ISLAND (USA, 2016)
Special Jury Award Best Feature: BLANKA (Philippines, 2015)
Special Jury Award Best Short: BIRDLIME (Canada, 2016)
Children's Hospital Jury Award: ONCE UPON A BLUE MOON (Canada, 2016)
In addition to the annual festival, PCFF presents films of the same high quality and film-related educational programming throughout the year. Children and families can learn about the history of the medium and its critical context, as well as the craft of filmmaking; through media literacy programs, hands-on workshops, and filmmaker presentations. We proudly collaborate with community organizations such as RISD Museum, Providence Children’s Museum, AS220, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Providence, Providence CityArts, Rhode Island Museum of Science and Arts (RIMOSA), Providence Athenaeum Children’s Library, Providence Community Library, Media Smart Libraries Project, and the Rhode Island Office of Information and Services.
CRITERIA
The PCFF selection committee seeks films with content that speaks positively to children, teens and families from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities. Please consider submitting if you have created work that can speak to all, including children. 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 "story-book" 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.
SELECTION
The Director of Programming will make selections along with the Festival jury composed of educators, filmmakers, parents and children. PCFF takes pride in bringing children into the selection process; as a member of the PCFF Junior Jury, youth have a voice from beginning to end, taking part in final film selections, festival programming, and award distributions. PCFF will email all entrants no later than January 7, 2017, whether or not films have been selected for the festival. Preview DVDs, thumb drives, and related materials of all films submitted for consideration will NOT be returned unless submission includes a prepaid, self-addressed, stamped envelope.
SPECIAL EVENTS
In addition to our Opening Night Party and final Awards Presentation Event, PCFF hosts a Filmmaker Soiree’ during the festival. No box juices or Goldfish crackers here. The Soiree is a private, low-key and relaxing get together with our star filmmakers and some of our festival devotee's. In between bites you may meet some filmmakers who have films in this year's festival or share a drink with one of our invited Reel Connection speakers. You will certainly meet many of the people who helped create and support this year's festival.
YOUTH FILMMAKER SHOWCASE (YFS)
PCFF is committed to nurturing the work of young “amateur” filmmakers (age 17 and under) and so is proud to present a juried program of films all made by youth—from our local community and around the world—and to provide an opportunity for young filmmakers to talk about both the fun and the challenges they face during the creative process. This exciting screening is designed to encourage talented and committed up-and-coming young filmmakers, and to inspire those who are just thinking about it. Young filmmakers may apply as an individual or as a team. (e.g. Youth organizations, film clubs, etc.).
