Lights, Camera, Action!

If your kids are constantly glued to their smartphones and tablets, consider upgrading to the really big screen and getting in some family time at the Providence Children’s Film Festival (PCFF). It’s the fourth-largest festival of its kind in the country, attracts between 4,000 and 5,000 attendees, and takes place over February’s school vacation week (February 14-23). This year is its 11th installment, and Rachel Colaiace’s first as PCFF’s Managing Director.

“PCFF sees movies, especially when experienced in a shared-viewing environment, as a storytelling forum that educates our youth of the experiences, cultures, and emotions that connect us all as human beings,” says Colaiace.

While last year was certainly a big one for PCFF, celebrating its first decade, Rachel details the big stuff planned for 2020: “We are kicking off this year’s festival with an all-ages-welcome opening night party at Metcalf Auditorium on Friday, with a red-carpet runway, interactive entertainment and the first official screening of the festival.” Then, there’s a filmmaker’s soiree the following Saturday, where “filmmakers, both young and young-at-heart, workshop presenters, visiting guest speakers, and local celebrities join festival supporters for a night of fun.” In between, the festival will showcase independent and international productions, including 12 feature-length films and 200 film shorts. But it’s not all popcorn bucket diving: Visitors can also attend related workshops, hear guest speakers, and participate in community events at venues that are all within walking distance – convenient during the mid-winter season.

Colaiace and the team have already started looking forward with visions of expansion. Colaiace shares, “Our goal for this next decade of PCFF is to bolster existing year-round screenings in libraries, museums, and parks through our partnerships with the city, state, and our dedicated funders.”

As of late December, the festival was wrapping up its final viewing selections. Tickets are available for both specific films, or individuals can purchase 10-pack and all-access passes to provide more screening flexibility. Movie details, including times and age-appropriateness guidelines, are available online.