Family

Backyard Wilderness (Ages 6 to 13+)

Backyard Wilderness (Ages 6 to 13+)

Susan Todd & Andrew Young/2018/45 min/Wildlife

Tuesday, March 5, 6:30 p.m. [South}
The Ancona School, Chicago

Saturday, March 9, 11 a.m. [W Suburbs]
Thatcher Woods Pavilion, River Forest

FILM DESCRIPTION: In “Backyard Wilderness,” we follow Katie, a young girl, and her modern family living next to the woods who are blind to the real-life spectacle around them, absorbed by an array of electronic devices in their busy lives. Katie gradually discovers the intricate secrets that nature has hidden so close to her front door and we experience the joy she finds in her interactions with this new world. The film showcases a stunning array of unique wildlife images and behavior captured by cameras mounted inside dens and nests to reveal inhabitants in rare and breathtaking intimacy.  

Earth and Sky Friends (Ages 3 to 8+)

Earth and Sky Friends (Ages 3 to 8+)

Saturday, March 9, 9:15 a.m. [W Suburbs]
Thatcher Woods Pavilion, River Forest

Watch four short films with your children ages three to eight. Topics range from wildlife to seasons to magical cranes. Featured films include "The Wishing Cranes" (2017, 3 min), “Starlight” (2018, 5 min), "Autumn" (2016, 3 min), “Great Big Story” (2017, 1 min), and "The Short Story of a Fox and a Mouse" (2016, 6 min).

Families and children will enjoy lively facilitated post-film discussion with a children’s educator, as well as a book reading of “African Unicorn” (another name for the endangered Okapi), interactive activities, and healthy snacks. Families will leave wanting to continue discussion on the topics of these short but rich films.

Inventing Tomorrow

Inventing Tomorrow

Laura Nix/2018/87 min/Climate Change

Sunday, March 3, 2 p.m.[North]
Wilmette Theatre, Wilmette
Admission $8

Monday, March 4, 6 p.m. [SW Suburbs]
Advocate Children’s Hospital, Oak Lawn

Thursday, March 7, 6 p.m.[West]
Namaste Charter School, Chicago

Saturday, March 9, 4 p.m. [W Suburbs]
Thatcher Woods Pavilion, River Forest

FILM DESCRIPTION: Meet passionate teenage innovators from around the globe who are creating cutting-edge solutions to confront the world’s environmental threats—found right in their own backyards—while navigating the doubts and insecurities that mark adolescence. Youth ages 9–13+ are encouraged to take a journey with these inspiring teens as they prepare their projects for the largest convening of high school scientists in the world, the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).

Young Filmmakers Contest Winner Screenings + Awards 2019

Young Filmmakers Contest Winner Screenings + Awards 2019

Saturday, March 2, 11:30 a.m. [Central]
Screenings + awards at 12 p.m.
Gene Siskel Film Center, Chicago

This year’s theme is “All In,” which means that we all need to contribute our passion and voices to make meaningful changes in the fight for our climate. That’s why, for the last seven years, we’ve given motivated and inspired young people from ages 8–25 the opportunity to research, produce, and show their original films as part of our Young Filmmakers Contest. We invite you to join us at the contest winners’ screenings, to be inspired by their creativity and dedication, and to learn more about the non-profit organizations who will benefit from matching grants the winners receive.