Chicago International Children's Film Festival Comes to Lake Forest

The year’s best children’s films in the world will come to Gorton Community Center (GCC) on Sunday, October 25. In partnership with Facets Multimedia’s Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (CICFF), Gorton’s John & Nancy Hughes Theater will serve as the only festival location outside of Chicago.

“Meaningful film programming for children is hard to come by,” said Facets’ founder and WBEZ radio celebrity, Milos Stehlik. “We are thrilled to be working with Gorton to bring the best in children’s animation and live-action films by extraordinarily talented filmmakers to families on the North Shore.”

Sunday’s screenings are open to the public and are divided into show times with age recommendations. At 1 p.m., families with children eight and under will see 10 magical shorts entitled Ready, Steady, Go! Running time is just over an hour, and children are required to attend with an adult.

At 2:15 p.m., Molly Moon and the Incredible Book of Hypnotism tells the tale of the plucky Molly who enjoys her family and friends in a small-town English orphanage — until she finds a book that gives her the power of hypnosis. This film is best suited for children ages eight and older. Running time is 94 minutes.

In the beautiful Windstorm 2 at 4 p.m., Mika cancels her plans for a trip to Paris when she gets a bad feeling that something is amiss both at the family’s stable and with her beloved horse Windstorm. Suitable for young adults, the running time is 94 minutes.

On Monday, October 26, Gorton will host a private Facet’s screening for Lake County students. Participating organizations include North Chicago Community Partners, Lake Forest Country Day School, Forrestal Elementary School and Neal Math and Science Academy. “It is so exciting to combine Milos Stehlik’s passionate leadership in exceptional children’s film with Gorton’s new John & Nancy Hughes Theater,” said Elizabeth Pruett, Gorton’s Performing Arts Committee Chair of CICFF activities. “Milos Stehlik and our lead sponsors, Lake Forest Bank & Trust and Wintrust Wealth Management, have made it possible for Gorton to host the 32nd annual CICFF in Lake Forest.”

The Chicago International Children’s Film Festival is the largest children’s film festival in North America, and the world’s first Oscar-qualifying children’s film festival. Facets has provided Chicagoans for over 32 years the opportunity to see award-winning children’s film. Now through partnership with Gorton and Facets the festival is available to the North Shore communities.

“This festival brings exceptional film to our doorstep,” said Gorton Executive Director Brenda Dick. “From the outreach program for Lake County students and our full schedule for families on Sunday, October 25, everyone is included. Regardless of your age, if you are entranced by story and film, you want to be in the John & Nancy Hughes Theater.”

Said David Lee, President and CEO of Lake Forest Bank & Trust, “We are proud of our partnership with Gorton and are delighted to support the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival.”

Tickets to the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival in Lake Forest are $10 and can be purchased at gortoncenter.org. A complete listing of the films to be screened at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival is available at facets.org.