Oscar-winning filmmaker Matthew A. Cherry will receive the CICFF Inspire Award at FACETS’ 40th Annual Chicago International Children’s Film Festival’s opening night party held at 6pm tonight, November 3rd, at the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark Street. The CICFF, which is the world’s first Oscar-qualifying international festival devoted to children’s films, kicks off today and runs through Sunday, November 19th, at various Windy City venues including FACETS, 1517 W. Fullerton Avenue; the Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th Street; the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Avenue; and the Kehrein Center for the Arts, 5628 W. Washington Boulevard.
According to the festival’s press release, the Inspire Award is “given to a filmmaker who influences and inspires filmmakers to create empowering and positive messages for young audiences. Cherry’s Oscar-winning project, ‘Hair Love,’ about an African American father attempting to do his daughter’s hair for the first time, won the 2020 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film and has an accompanying six-time New York Times Bestselling picture book. The groundbreaking short film addresses the need for representation and diverse storytelling in animation, normalizes natural hair (in the face of issues addressed by the CROWN Act) and addresses gender norms. ‘Hair Love’ was adapted into the animated television series, ‘Young Love,’ which premiered this fall and is currently streaming on Max.”
The festival showcases films for ages 2 to 18 and their families. General ticket prices are $12 for in-person and virtual screenings, with festival passes and FACETS’ Member discounts available. To purchase tickets and view the full festival schedule, click here.
