LINCOLN PARK — The 33rd annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival kicks off Friday with a screening of the new Hollywood animated feature "Trolls," bringing the beloved Baby Boomer toys to life.
The 7 p.m. Friday event is already sold out at the ArcLight Cinemas, 1500 N. Clybourn Ave., but after that the fest will throw open the doors at four other city locations for 10 days, focused on its home turf at Facets, 1517 W. Fullerton Ave.
"Trolls" has Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake lending their voices to lead characters. According to Eric Holst, Facets' director of operations, invitations for the screening went out to the fest's "wildly large family," including past attendees, fest jury members, principals and teachers who draw on the fest as an education tool and other friends of the festival, which typically attracts 30,000 people a year.
"That's what we're about, bringing film and bringing storytelling to young people," Holst said.
The fest has a special day of screenings set for Nov. 4, as it's a day off for Chicago Public Schools. Included in that are a new French live-action version of "Beauty and the Beast," set for 9:45 a.m. at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., and the Israeli feature "Abulele," at 10:15 a.m., also at the Music Box.
"It is gorgeous," Holst said of "Beauty and the Beast." "It really is a beautiful, beautiful film." While "Abulele," which concerns bullying and a boy's ensuing friendship with a monster, is "a really cute story," perfectly pitched to the movie's tween audience.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for kids, $5 for members of Facets. A $45 family pass is available, which gets four people into anything but the opening and closing nights.
Also set for that Nov. 4 day off from school is a workshop on "Telling a Story Through Computer Animation," one of the many workshops the fest is holding. It's an all-day event from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Facets, limited to 10 kids 7 and older; it's $45, $40 for Facets members.
Holst also recommended the fest's Halloween programs this weekend, especially edgy short films that should please teens as well as animation aficionados of all ages.
"Short programs are always spectacular," he said. "Every year there are a number of films nominated for Academy Awards or have gone on to win." It's a rare chance to see them on a big screen.
The festival closes Nov. 6 with an award ceremony and a screening of a quick-turnaround project from the fest itself: "Boo Bash: The Movie," culled from the Boo Bash event at the Park West held Sunday. It's at 6 p.m. at Facets.
The schedule is available online, complete with age recommendations for the various films and programs.
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