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. Curriculum aligned with Illinois State Board of Education Learning Standards is also provided to teachers prior to the day of screening.
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 
Grades 1-3 (Ages 5 to 8)
Subtitles read aloud for all world language shorts
80-minute program includes media education
Click here for print-friendly PDF
His Good Will won the 2009 Montgomery Prize for Best Film by an Emerging Director
Mommy Look! (France)
His Good Will (Canada)
Southern Cross (USA)
Hakim (Tanzania)
The Night Before Christmas (USA)
Rosa (USA)
What Makes Me Happy: "Amran's Film" (Ethiopia/UK)
Find endless inspiration in the experiences of children of African descent in this moving shorts program. Journey through the lives of seven special African and African American characters who aren't afraid to "tell it like it is." Revisit a bold act of American civil disobedience when one brave woman stood up by sitting down. Join Amran and friends as they band together to heal an ailing camel in an Ethiopian market town. And smell the home cooking on Sunday afternoon as a family reminds two parents that love is all you need.
The Great Storytellers 
Grades 4-6 (Ages 9 to 12)
Screened in English
80-minute program includes media education
Click here for print-friendly PDF
Miss Devine (USA)
The Toboggan (Canada)
Sule and the Case of the Tiny Sparks (USA)
Garage Sale (USA)
A Creation Story (USA)
Mwansa The Great (Zambia/England)
The characters in this shorts collection are tall on tales. Mwansa and his sister have wild and vivid imaginations encouraged by their father; by continuing the oral tale he spun, they make it into their own. Sassy Sunday School teacher Miss Devine shares a story or two with her young companions. Sule is the proud head of the Proverb Detective Agency where no crime is too big or too small. The proverb in question here is, "Great fire erupts from tiny sparks," but how does it apply to his new case?
Diversity Over Adversity
Grades 4-6 (Ages 9 to 12)
All world language films screened with English subtitles
90-minute program includes media education
Click here for print-friendly PDF
What's Fufu? (England)
Fight the Bad Things (Finland)
Mozambique (USA)
The Bake Shop Ghost (USA)
Lioness of Lisabi (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. Roam with the Lioness of Lisabi as she rises among the women of her tribe to embrace her dreams and confront an oppressive village environment. Together these characters show how to reach your goals despite adversity!
Lionel 
Grades 4-6 (Ages 9 to 12)
Screened in Italian with English subtitles
110-minute program includes media education
Click here for print-friendly PDF
Lionel is an African-Swiss boy who loves nothing more than spending time with his grandfather, who teaches him stories and traditions of his native land. When Grandfather dies, Lionel begins seeing lions everywhere - and on a fateful class trip to the zoo, a lion asks Lionel to help him escape to Africa. How far will Lionel go to maintain his special relationship with his grandfather? Cultural heritage meets current surroundings, as Lionel learns to reconcile his past and present in this affecting film.
Teamwork Rules!
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11 to 13+)
All world language films screened with English subtitles
90-minute program includes media education
Click here for print-friendly PDF
Miss Devine (USA)
The Toboggan (Canada)
Garage Sale (USA)
Date at a Funeral (USA)
Journey to Cape Verde (Portugal)
Mwansa The Great (Zambia/England)
A view of lives in other places gives us insight into our own. A beautiful animated short set in rural Africa explores the value of slowing down the pace of life and appreciating the wonderful world around you. A little girl can't resist the allure of a garage sale, even though she knows her mother is wary of their new Middle-Eastern neighbors. She decides to visit the sale and finds that her neighbors aren't as different as they seem.
Leading The Way
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13+)
All world language films screened with English subtitles
90-minute program includes media education
Click here for print-friendly PDF
The Young Detectives: "Compass of Love" (Norway)
Ley Ley (Germany)
His Good Will (Canada)
What Makes Me Happy: "Amran's Film" (Ethiopia/UK)
Rosa (USA)
The Bake Shop Ghost (USA)
Journey through the lives of six African and African American characters who aren't afraid to lead by example. Young Will's actions speak louder than words. One brave and beleaguered woman stands up by sitting down in a bold act of American civil disobedience. And two characters find a moment in their shared lives when one act of understanding transcends boundaries. These heroes walk the walk and talk the talk!
Keeping It Reel
Grades 9 & up (Ages 12+)
All world language films screened with English subtitles
90-minute program includes media education
Click here for print-friendly PDF
Miss Devine (USA)
Fight the Bad Things (Finland)
Journey to Cape Verde (Portugal)
Bronx Princess (USA)
Join these characters as they set off on their journeys - and find out more about themselves on the way! Four documentary shorts from Finland, Portugal, and the US.
