Coming Events!

WorldScene Film Festival Curated by Veterans

at Cook County Jail

More than 50 veterans in custody at Cook County Jail spent 14 weeks viewing, rating, and discussing 80 top-tier independent short films, before curating their compelling festival program, Understand the Truth. Oscar^®-nominated actor Colman Domingo’s New Moon, an animated tribute to his mother, will screen alongside the Oscar^®-nominated Paris 70, directed by Dani Feixas Roca

Viewing and discussing the short films had a significant impact on the veterans:

"You guys gave us a chance to express ourselves, and it's real ‘cause people of my ethnicity do not get to express themselves like this. That’s what I love about the program- the love and the unity you brought up on me! Thank you.”

I really liked when they did international films, it put it in perspective. Like we all go through the same thing no matter where we at. We have the same problems. It was beautiful, it really was.

I think it is a great experience for everyone. The opportunities were endless, all the nomenclature and the way to judge how a movie is made is very interesting to learn and know.

WorldScene Film Festival - Understand the Truth - 92 mins.

Cook County Jail, 2700 S. Sacramento, Chicago, IL

Monday, November 16th, 3:30pm, at Div. 6.

Wednesday, November 18th, 3:30pm, at Mental Health Transition Center.

Curated by Veterans in custody, this powerful line-up of eight films from six countries inspires us to look more deeply at our world and ourselves. From ice hockey to family dynamics, from innovative art to new visions of courage, each film helps us uncover hidden truths that lead to understanding our own strengths, failures and humanity. The program also features the world premiere of the veteran’s own film, Understand the Truth.

You’ll fall in love with Colman Domingo’s tender portrait of his mother’s optimism and hope (New Moon, USA) and marvel at the vibrant artistic vision of Roger J. Carter (RJC: Rebel Revolutionary, USA). Then cheer for Stephanie, as she challenges airport regulations to help a bereaved passenger board a flight (Au Sol, France). Featuring four Chicago premieres, the complete line-up of film includes: How Long, Not Long (Denmark), Paris 70 (Spain), New Moon (USA), I Am Sami (Kurdistan, USA), Grab My Hand: A Letter to My Dad (USA), Ice Breakers (Canada), Roger J. Carter: Rebel Revolutionary (USA), Au Sol (France)

Festival screenings will be followed by Q&A’s with directors. The audience will also vote for their favorite film to determine the winner of the World Scene Best of the Fest prize.

Nicole Dreiske Invited to Present Screen Smart to Global Audience

“Technology and screen use do not have to diminish children’s humanity.” ~Nicole Dreiske

As part of the CIFEJ Global Educational Webinar Series, the International Children’s Media Center’s Founder, Nicole Dreiske joins the International Centre of Films for Children and Young People (CIFEJ) in Athens, Greece to present Screen Smart® – Building Human Habits for the Technological Age, on Friday, May 22nd at 11am CST. In this engaging one-hour session, Nicole shares the core principles behind Screen Smart® — a neuroscience-based, child-centered framework that helps young people develop focus, empathy, self-regulation, and critical thinking in digital environments.

School Residencies

A high-impact version of the nationally recognized Screen Smart® program supports students emotional well-being while teaching healthy digital habits.

“Across our partner schools, educators are telling us the same thing – Children are carrying a great deal emotionally, and they need safe, structured opportunities to talk about what they’re seeing, and feeling, and how to make sense of it. Screen Smart ® SPRINTS were designed to meet this moment.” ~ Nicole Dreiske, Founder & Executive Director of the ICMC.

Through guided discussion, kinetic movement, story-based media, and reflection prompts, students learn to contrast real-life experiences with media images. They strengthen empathic responses and practice self-regulation skills that support both academic and emotional growth…in just five sessions!

Turner Drew Language Academy (9300 S. Princeton Ave., Chicago, IL. 60620) will receive Screen Smart Sprint Year 1 and Year 2 every Monday beginning February 23rd.

Hyde Park’s Bret Harte Elementary School (2745 W. Roosevelt Rd, Chicago IL 60608) will have it’s inagural Screen Smart Sprint every Tuesday, beginning March 31st.

Chalmers School of Excellence (2745 W. Roosevelt Rd, Chicago IL 60608) will receive Screen Smart Sprint every Wednesday, beginning April 1st.

Thomas Hendricks Community School (4316 S. Princeton St, Chicago IL 60609) will host both the Year 1 and Year 2 Screen Smart Sprints every Friday starting April 10th.

Chinatown’s John Haines Elementary School (247 W. 23rd Place, Chicago, IL 60616) is also receiving Year 1 and Year 2 Screen Smart programming beginning April 28th.

Want Screen Smart SEL Sprint for YOUR students ? Schedule a FREE consultation!

Bold ideas and magical moments shine through eleven short films from seven countries — nine of them premieres! From mischievous sunbunnies to young change-makers, these stories celebrate friendship, courage and imagination across cultures. Giggle at the playful pancake feud in Mojappi (It’s Mine!) (Japan), join 11-year-old prodigy Nova as she inspires action in Change (USA), and travel to medieval Florence in The Boy Who Would Become a Knight (Italy).

The complete line-up includes: Ummi and Zaki (Germany), Mojappi (It’s Mine!) (Japan), Grandpa Mazay and the Sunbunnies (Russia), You Are Not Small (UK), The Boy Who Would Become a Knight (Italy), We Are Water Protectors (USA), Buzz (UK), Nian Shou (USA), Go My Way (Spain), Go, Dani, Go (USA), and Change (USA).

Tickets are free. No library card required.