African American Heritage
Celebrate African American heritage with these inspiring film programs for elementary, middle, and high school, featuring heroic characters in films from around the world.
All films are official selections from the Chicago International Children's Film Festival, and all programs include an introduction and post-screening discussion led by one of our trained media educators. A curriculum is provided to all groups prior to your screening and is aligned with the new Common Core standards.
Flexible scheduling throughout the day - come to us or let us come to you! For details about screenings at Facets Multi-Media, click here. For details about screenings at your location, click here. For more information, contact our Group Sales Coordinator at fldtrips@facets.org or (773) 281-9075 ext. 3009.
Programs Available:
World Through My Eyes 
Animated/Live-Action Shorts Program
Grades 1-3 (Ages 5 to 8)
All world language films will be screened with English subtitles read aloud for younger audiences. 75-minute program includes media education
PDF version of this program description.
Miss Devine (USA)
Mommy Look! (France)
RosaSommer (Germany)
Ley Ley (Germany)
Sule and the Case of the Tiny Sparks (USA)
Amran’s Film (Ethiopia)
Rosa (USA)
Find endless inspiration in the experiences of children of African descent in this moving shorts program. Journey through the lives of special African and African American characters who aren’t afraid to “tell it like it is”. Sule, the village “super sleuth” is the best at detecting the truth and helps new friends come together by solving the latest mystery. Join Amran and friends as they band together to heal an animal friend in an Ethiopian market town. Revisit a bold act of American civil disobedience when one brave woman stood up by sitting down. Join these characters as they see new worlds – through their eyes.
The Great Storytellers 
Animated/Live-Action Shorts Program
Grades 4-6 (Ages 9 to 12)
All world language films screened with English subtitles. 85-minute program includes media education.
PDF version of this program description.
Miss Devine (USA)
His Good Will (USA)
Eyes on the Stars (USA)
The Toboggan (Canada)
Angelina’s Film (South Sudan)
Sule and the Case of the Tiny Sparks (USA)
Mwansa The Great (Zambia/England)
The characters in this shorts collection tell it as they see it - and pass it along. Young dreamer, Ronald, reads “science”, not “science fiction” and doesn’t let anyone else write his life story. Sassy Sunday School teacher Miss Devine shares a story or two with her young companions. Mwansa and his sister have wild and vivid imaginations nurtured by memories of their father; by continuing the oral tale he spun, they make it into their own. Whether written history or oral – everyone has a story to share!
Diversity Over Adversity
Animated and Live-Action Shorts Program
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11 to 14)
All world language films screened with English subtitles. 85-minute program includes media education.
PDF version of this program description.
What’s Fufu? (England)
Eyes on the Stars (USA)
Fight the Bad Things (Finland)
Child’s Time (Brazil)
What Makes Me Happy – Achia’s Film (Uganda)
The Secret Note (Uganda)
The Bake Shop Ghost (USA)
The unforgettable characters in these short films embrace their uniqueness while also reaching out to others unlike themselves. Sing along with Ismay as she shows how her passion for music and new friends help her overcome challenges at home. And one woman’s past is not going to keep one young lady from reaching her career goal for the future! Together these characters show how to reach your goals despite adversity!
Keeping It Reel: African and African American JourneysAnimated and Live-Action Documentary Shorts Program
Grades 8+ (Ages 13+)
All world language films screened with English subtitles. 90-minute program includes media education.
PDF version of this program description.
Miss Devine (USA)
Fight the Bad Things (Finland)
Journey to Cape Verde (Portugal)
Bronx Princess (USA)
Come along with these characters as they set off on their journeys – and find out more about themselves on the way! These young men and ladies speak from their own journals and their own hearts – and tell it like it is! Four award-winning coming-of-age documentary shorts from Finland, Portugal, and the US.
African Immersion
Live-Action Shorts Program
High School (Ages 14+)
All world language films screened with English subtitles. 85-minute program includes media education.
PDF version of this program description.
Zebu and the Photo Fish (Uganda/Kenya)
Hakim (Germany/Tanzania)
Warrior Queen (USA/Ghana)
Lioness of Lisabi (USA)
In his village, Zebu and his family are forever in debt to a local merchant, where they must constantly give over a large portion of their daily catch. Although still a young man, it is Zebu who leads the way, setting up the family business on new and better terms? Then, when the village is threatened and must stand up to the newcomers, it is the Warrior Queen who will stand up for their rights (based on a true story)! Lastly, a young lady’s journey to England and her return to Nigerian home gives her strength she didn’t realize she had. “African Immersion” reflects the wisdom of these characters as they draw on the strength gained from their heritage.
