Coming Events!
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.
How to Have FUN
with Healthy Tech Habits
Tuesday, June 24th 8:30am CST
Nicole Dreiske joins Jimmy Mac on Road Gang Radio’s Highway to Heatlh series to share simple tips from ICMC’s two new activity books, Mindful Viewing® and Movies Make You Smarter® Take the worry out of screen time with these fresh techniques to end passive viewing.
HOW TO LISTEN LIVE:
Stream on RadioNemo.com
Stream on iHeart
Stream on YouTube
Stream on Facebook
“Movies & Mindful Viewing” Katherine Lizardo
Interviews Nicole Dreiske
Wednesday, June 18th at 10am CST
ICMC Executive Director, Nicole Dreiske
ADHD Life Simplified Founder, Katherine Lizardo
In this live interview with ADHD Simplified’s Katherine Lizardo, ICMC director Nicole Dreiske shares vibrant, neuroscience-based techniques from her two new books, Mindful Viewing® and Movies Make You Smarter®. Just in time to help “mompreneurs” STOP summer learning loss!
If you missed it LIVE, you can still access the full interview through the link!
ICFilmFest 2025!
Let’s look on the bright side and celebrate our wonderful world! You’ll be inspired by the power of ancient Cree story-telling in Wâhkôhtowin (Canada). Then laugh out loud as a clever little dinosaur outsmarts the bullies in Bellysaurus (Australia).
What a Wonderful World features ten films from eight countries, including:El Charango (Italy), Wings (USA), Wâhkôhtowin (All My Relations) (Canada), Hamsa (USA), Bellysaurus (Australia), Andy: A Dog’s Tale (USA/Serbia), Dawn (USA/Germany), Spirit of the Forest (India), Charlie and the Hunt (USA), and o28 (France).
Wings (USA) WINS!
2025 ICFilmFest Best of the Fest Prize
Animator and director, Casey McDonald‘s beautiful short Wings touched children’s hearts at three Chicago area screenings of What a Wonderful World. Children appreciated the compassion and friendship that develops as the mouse helps the bird recover from an injury, and the bird helps the mouse realize an impossible dream.
If your library, community center or Park District would like to be an ICFilmFest Presenting Partner, contact Michelle at info@icmediacenter.org or call 773-528-6854.
Oscar®-Nominated
Paris 70
Wins Best of the Fest Prize at WorldScene Film Festival
at Cook County Jail.
Congratulations to director Dani Fexias Roka, whose heartfelt short film touched audiences and was voted the Best of the Fest at the WorldScene Film Festival: Understand the Truth on Tuesday, April 29th at 2700 S. California Ave., Chicago, IL. 60608. Curated by Veterans-in-Custody, the audience was moved by Jan, heartbroken each time he must reveal his fathers death to his mother, who suffers from Alzheimers, until he finds a creative way to connect and lift her spirits. E. Holdman stated the film was “Extraordinarily poignant and relevant to my life,” Veteran and one of the festival curators, A. Anderson added, “There were more than a few misty eyes at the end of this film. It really bought family to our hearts.“
Watch a short piece about the WorldScene Film Festival at Cook County Jail on WGN’s Spotlight Chicago!
Screen Smart Residencies
2025 Residencies
The 2025 school year kicks off with several new and returning partner schools, including:
Hamline Elementary (4747 S Bishop St, Chicago, IL 60609) K-2nd graders level-up their Screen Smart skills every Thursday with a second year of the leading-edge accelerative learning program starting Nov. 4th.
In December, students at Hendricks Academy (4316 S Princeton Ave, Chicago, IL 60609) began their inaugural year of Screen Smart every Wednesday starting December 4th.
2025 saw the return of Screen Smart for a third year at Clay Elementary (13231 S Burley Ave, Chicago, IL 60633), on two days! Clay I sessions are scheduled for 5 classrooms every Thursday, and Clay II sessions for another 5 classrooms are scheduled every Friday, starting on January 31st.
In February, Screen Smart launched in several new schools, including Laura Ward School (646 N. Lawndale, Chicago, IL 60624) each Monday beginning February 10th, John C. Haines Elementary School (247 W 23rd Pl, Chicago, IL 60616) every Friday staring February 21st, John W. Cook Academy (8150 South Bishop Street Chicago, IL 60620) every Thursday, beginning February 27th.
Parker Community Academy (6800 S. Stewart, Chicago, IL. 60621) launched their first year of Screen Smart ever Tuesday starting March 4th.
Want Screen Smart SEL at YOUR school? Just schedule a FREE consultation here: https://calendly.com/stayscreensmart/30min
