Film is a universal language. That’s why this charming :30 promoting the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival is so apropos in that it deploys kids from different parts of the world speaking in their native tongues. For those of us not fortunate enough to be bilingual, much less multilingual, we finally understand what each is saying when towards the middle of the commercial we hear an American girl speak in English, “The Chicago International Children’s Film Festival.”
Animation playfully helps transition the spot from one kid to the next–the first animated visual being a film reel which rolls toward the first child; later, animated flowers bloom around another youngster. This feel-good spot ends with all the kids on camera, beneath a giant admission ticket to the 22nd annual festival, which contains the dates of the event (Oct. 27-Nov 6). Also appearing below the ticket are a phone number and Web site address (www.cicff.org) for those interested in getting more info. The opening night festival gala was hosted by actor/director Harold Ramis.
“Come See My World” was directed by Karen Carter of Ebel Productions, Chicago, for DDB Chicago.
Carter related that during the shoot day, “We had 33 children speaking over 17 languages. It was the United Nations of Kids….The idea of the spot is kids inviting other kids to the festival.”
The director added, “I want to teach my children about the world outside their front doors and communicate how important it is to embrace our differences. I know that the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival helps provide that through a visual medium my kids enjoy most–film.”
The event is billed as the largest festival of films for children in North America; it featured more than 200 animated and live-action films from 40 countries. Carter has been involved with the fest for 10-plus years as a juror as well as a filmmaker. Her film Me In A Box was shown at the 2000 festival.
Jason Schettler executive produced the spot for Ebel Productions, with Amy DiPrima serving as producer and Jay Riippi as production manager. The DP was Alan Thatcher.
For DDB, creative director was Gary Alfredson and the writer was Sandy Suminski.
Editor was Kim Salter via Vitamin, Chicago. Audio post mixer/sound designer/music composer was Skooby Laposky of Oratai Sound Salon, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Elliot Lim and Matt Wilson of Vitamin served, respectively, as animator and 3-D effects artist.
