October 23, 2015. Kingston, RI. The Providence Children’s Film Festival, founded in 2009, is a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting Rhode Island’s families to the best of independent and international children’s cinema. This annual festival is held in February with multiple venues that are all within walking distance of downtown Providence, Rhode Island. During the festival, the PCFF screens an average of 18 feature-length films and over 100 short films from around the world, including live action, animation, and documentaries. In addition, parents, children, and educators are able to participate in filmmaking workshops, free activities, and post-film conversations elevating the discourse on children’s film media and education. Since 2014, the festival has also featured a youth filmmaker showcase, highlighting the talent and skill of young filmmakers from around the globe.
Because the PCFF is focused on starting conversations about film and making quality media accessible, they are a natural and valuable partner for Media Smart Libraries. The hope is that this partnership will help librarians discover films beyond the mainstream marketplace and learn how to develop film programming events in their libraries by providing opportunities for Rhode Island youth to engage with quality independent and international films along with the tools to discuss them critically.
Anisa Raoof, Executive Director, has been involved with Media Smart Libraries since its conception and she currently sits on the local advisory board. About PCFF’s partnership with Media Smart Libraries, Raoof said, “We believe film is a powerful storytelling medium that can change the way we see and connect with the world around us. Providing kids opportunities to see exceptional films at a young age from around the world, curated based on the quality of the story and the art form is important. We believe in the power of collaborations to extend and broaden the access to these amazing films. By partnering with Media Smart Libraries, we are able to help advance media and film literacy education by sharing our collection of curated films along with our experience creating programs that invite kids to think about and beyond the film.”
The Providence Children’s Film Festival is hosting the third workshop in our professional development series, titled Children’s Independent Film Discussion: Join the PCFF Film Jury Night. This workshop, being held on November 16th from 6-8pm at the Cranston Public Library, will give librarians the opportunity to learn about independent children’s films by participating as an actual juror for the 2016 Providence Children’s Film Festival. Librarians will develop their film evaluation and discussion skills and be encouraged to think about new ideas for programming and curriculum. If you are interested in attending this event, please register using the Office of Library and Information Services Registration form.
Stayed tuned for more information about the upcoming Providence Children’s Film Festival in February 2016.
By: Alyssa Taft