East Lansing Children's Film Festival

2007 Festival

Make a wish and blow out the candles...the East Lansing Children’s Film Festival turns 10!

February 23 - March 1, 2007 finds the young and the young-at-heart reveling in cinematic bliss as the East Lansing Children’s Film Festival (ELCFF) brings an awesome lineup of over 100 films in 21 different programs to mid-Michigan. Among the offerings audiences will enjoy are 16 world premieres, five U.S. premieres and seven past or present Academy Award nominated films.

Programs are comprised of compilations of short films or stand-alone features throughout the week-long festival. Tickets, $5/child and $6/adult (18+) per program, are available on-line at http://www.presaleticketing.com until 1 p.m. on Friday, February 23 or at the door 1 hour prior to show times.

Tickets to the programs at NCG Eastwood Cinemas are only $3.

7:00 p.m. Friday, February 23, 2007, the Albert A. White Performing Arts Theatre in the East Lansing Hannah Community Center (819 Abbott Road, East Lansing) is the time and place for Opening Night. This special “birthday” celebration features a 90-minute program of Audience-award winning short films from the Festival’s first 10 years. Special opening night ticket pricing is $5/child and $10/adult (18+) and includes a post-screening party of music, treats and fun!

Throughout the day Saturday, February 24th and Sunday, February 25th, the ELCFF presents the centerpiece of the event, blocks of films, beginning at noon at South Kedzie Hall on the Michigan State University Campus (corner of Farm Lane and Auditorium) and at NCG Eastwood Cinema (Lake Lansing Road and US 127).  For specific program information and age-related guidelines, go to http://www.elcff.com.  Convenient parking is available at both venues.

On Saturday, February 24, experience film from a hands-on approach. Concurrent workshops led by industry professionals are offered at various East Lansing locations. Register for a spot by contacting the Festival office at 517-862-2533.

9-11 a.m., People’s Church, “Making Great Videos” for students in grades 6 and above

9-11 a.m., People’s Church, “The Art of Short Story Editing” open to grades 5-8

9-11 a.m., E.L. Hannah Community Center, “Shadow Puppet Animation” for grades 9-12

9-noon, MSU Computer Center Room 210, “Stop Motion Animation” for grades 4-6

10-11:30 a.m., WKAR-TV Production Studios, “TV Production for Families”

On both Saturday and Sunday, 12-4, in the lobby of South Kedzie Hall, members of Southeast Michigan Animation and Special Effects Network (SEMAFX) demonstrate animation basics in an Introduction to Animation: Flipbook and Zoetrope Workshop for even the youngest aspiring filmmaker.

From 4:00-5:30 p.m. on Saturday, filmgoers are welcome to attend a festival celebration at FLATS GRILLE, 551 Grand River Avenue.  Complimentary appetizers will be served --- come mingle with festival guests.

10-11 a.m. Sunday the East Lansing Marriott University Place welcomes film fans for a round table discussion with visiting industry guests and continental breakfast, free, with a ticket stub to any festival program.

At 2:45 p.m. Sunday, in South Kedzie Hall, see the award-winning films of the 2007 ELCFF Youth Film Competition.  These awards recognize elementary through high school students throughout the state of Michigan who submitted original films that were judged and considered to be of exceptional creativity and skill.  A reception in the lobby follows this screening.

Now in its third year, TeenREEL screens great feature films and short programs for those ages 12 and over. TeenREEL programming can be found at 1:50 and 3 p.m. Saturday at South Kedzie Hall, 6:30 p.m. Saturday at NCG Eastwood Cinemas, 1:40 p.m. Sunday at South Kedzie Hall, and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at NCG Eastwood Cinemas.

6:30 P.M. Thursday, March 1 is FESTIVAL Closing Night at the NCG Eastwood Cinemas.  All ages are invited for a special compilation screening of BEST OF THE FEST 2007!  This program will be created when audience award ballots are tallied from the February 24-25 weekend festival programs.

The ELCFF is a year-round non-profit organization dedicated to showcasing films from around the globe that enrich, inspire, educate and entertain children without violent or exploitative content.  Now a seven-day festival, it is devoted to the highly creative and enriching world of film.  Offerings throughout the year include a state-wide youth film competition that focuses on films made by children in grades K-12, year-round media literacy programs and filmmaking workshops for children K-12.

This activity is supported by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the Arts Council of Greater Lansing, Inc.