The country’s largest film festival for children and teens will be making a tour stop in Omaha beginning in January when Film Streams presents the Best of the New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF). From January 9 to March 18, Film Streams’ Ruth Sokolof Theater, Omaha’s nonprofit cinema, will screen five of the best programs from the 2009 NYICFF. The series continues Film Streams’ Forever Young family and children’s program, which is made possible in part with support from Lincoln Financial Group.

Founded in 1997, NYICFF is dedicated to promoting intelligent, passionate, provocative cinematic works for audiences ages 3-18 and helping to define a more compelling film experience for kids. Juried by such well-known filmmakers as John Turturro, Susan Sarandon, James Schamus, Matthew Modine and Gus Van Sant, the festival has been described by The New York Times as being “devoted to the kind of fare that may be found at the Academy Awards but not at the local multiplex.”

Best of NYICFF features one live-action comedy and four animated programs, including traditional, CGI, collage and stop-motion styles. More than ten countries are represented, including works from Australia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Sweden, Switzerland, the U.K. and the U.S. Tickets for all screenings within Best of NYICFF are $9 general, $7 for seniors, students, teachers and children, and $4.50 for Film Streams Members. All screenings will occur at Film Streams’ Ruth Sokolof Theater, located at the corner of 14th and Mike Fahey (formerly Webster) Streets, one block south of Cuming Street.

More information on all five programs within Best of NYICFF can be found on the following page and online at www.filmstreams.org or www.gkids.tv/tour. For questions, please contact Casey Logan by phone at (402) 933-0259 x 11 or email at casey@filmstreams.org.