BAICFF is an annual Playdate for the Imagination™ where education and imagination collide. The festival offers families a cinematic view of the world’s varied cultures and traditions. The films inspire curiosity and conversation, and allow children to experience a wide range of cultural perspectives.

BAICFF is held in partnership with Chabot Space and Science Center. The leading space science educational institution in the Oakland / East Bay Area of California. This relationship allows us to offer a unique experience for our audiences of not only showcasing wonderful family films from all over the world but also educational opportunities in film but also in science, technology and innovation.

BAICFF aims to inspire and engage our audience.

Awards & Prizes

The Children's Choice Award is given for each block of short films. Films for All Ages, Films For 7 and Up. The winner receives a certificate and laurels. All films selected for the shorts programs: Saturday Films for All Ages, Saturday films For 7 and Up, Sunday Films for All Ages, Sunday Films for 7 and Up are automatically in competition.

Rules & Terms

Films may be live-action or animated.
All entries not originally in English must be subtitled or dubbed in English
Film content should be creative and demonstrate artistic and technical skill.
Content should speak positively to children of diverse backgrounds and cultures. We look for films that provide strong role models for both boys and girls.
Stories should be culturally authentic, timely, and of universal appeal to young
audiences. We especially appreciate plot lines that are child-driven.
Entries to the Festival should be made for, about or by children.
Films should not contain gratuitous violence, nudity, or profanity.

The festival is expanding. All films submitted and accepted into the festival could potentially be shown multiple times. The primary showing at the main festival and for outreach and promotion of the festival, leading up to and after the festival. In addition a best of the festival compilation will be made to be shown at our partner festival - The Festival of Curiosity in Dublin Ireland - https://festivalofcuriosity.ie and for promotion for the following year's festival. The filmmaker will be notified if included in this compilation and can of course use this information to promote their film.

9 Reviews
Overall Rating
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  • Devendra Kumar

    Thank you so much for selecting "WHY..." in the festival. It was an honour to be part of such a festival. Thanks.

    November 2020
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  • Atsuko Quirk

    We were totally honored to be a part of the BAICFF 2020! Jim, Allen and staff were fantastic hosts. Especially noteworthy is the festival's partnership with the beautiful Chabot Space and Science Center. Environmental organizations and scientists, whose passions align with our movie's impact campaign, engaged with audiences both before and after screenings through workshops and tabling, amplifying the message of our documentary and helping us to build a network in the Bay Area!

    March 2020
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  • Nicola Rose

    I’m a big fan of this small but beautifully-run film fest. The selections are consistently of very high quality and it was an honor to be among them. Thanks to Jim, Shelley, Allen and anyone else on the team for putting on a great event.

    March 2020
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  • Zlila Helman

    It was an honor for me that my short doc. " Girls soccer beyond borders" was selected to be screened in this festival because there are issues that are very important to deal with children even more than with adults... the children are our future and we have to start with them if we want to live in a better world. thank you for giving me the platform.....

    March 2019
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  • Raymond Limantara

    I'm really grateful to be part of BAICFF this year. Jim and team did a great job putting the festival together and I had a good time talking to both the kids and fellow filmmakers. Thank you for being such great hosts. All the best for future editions!

    February 2019
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