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Adult Jury


The Festival's Adult Jury consists of filmmakers, critics, child-development specialists, business and philanthropic community leaders and parents. The Jury is a marvelous opportunity to network with some of the leading media professionals in Chicago, leading to rewarding friendships and a chance to preview the best in childrens media from around the world. Together with your fellow jury members, you will be asked to final decisions on the films which should be awarded prizes in over 15 categories.

The decisions that the jury makes are of paramount importance to filmmakers. The Festival operates a small but dynamic market for foreign and U.S. distributors, buyers and festival programmers. Annually we welcome representatives from Miramax, Nickelodeon, Starz/Encore, Disney, Noggin, Sesame Workshop, Hallmark, AMPAS, and many international organizations who seek films for distribution or presentation.

More than 25,000 Chicago area children, adults, and educators will attend Festival screenings with 100 filmmakers, media professionals & celebrities. Interactive workshops comprise an important part of the CICFF's mission to make media a participatory rather than a passive experience.

The CICFF is the only children's film festival in the world to be recognized as an Academy qualifying Festival by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Winners in the Adult Jury short film categories may go on to compete for the Oscars®. Programming live action and animated features, shorts, TV series, documentaries, as well as child-produced works, the CICFF is one of the most unique festivals in the country, showcasing the best in culturally diverse, non-violent, value affirming new cinema for children.

For more information about the Adult Jury, contact "Kidsfest" at 773-281-9075 or by e-mail at kidsfest@facets.org