Short films by kids get thumbs-up

Short people get great ideas.

If you don't believe it, just ask a room full of kindergartnersto draw a picture of God. Absent that, tune in to the Nickelodeoncable channel for The First Ever Short Films by Short People FilmFestival at 7 p.m. this Sunday.

You'll agree after watching "Foilman" and the musical, "ThePiranha and the Mailman," these ideas could not have been born in themind of an adult. OK, every adult remembers the green meat served inthe school cafeteria, but if you weren't still living it, could youthink to turn that meat into a fiendish enemy to be fought and foiledby our foil hero who, while he is fighting the enemy, can also sing amean version of "I'm a Little Teapot"?Nor could anybody who is pushing 20 think to combine a piranha,a mailman, a troupe of singing statues, an evil prime minister and anoodle casserole shaped like a brain.Clearly from kids, these are the ideas behind just two of thefour films featured in the 30-minute show that spotlights films madein conjunction with Nickelodeon's Creative Lab. The Lab has amandate from the station to develop and produce experimental andkid-oriented live-action and animated short films.Segments of four other films will be woven into demonstrationsof filmmaking techniques, animation and special effects.The films, made over the past three years, have already airedseparately on "Snick Snacks," a segment for shorts sandwiched betweenregular programs about 8 p.m. during the station's Saturday lineup.But this is the first time they have been combined."Foilman" was created by Brennan Weir of Monticello, N.Y.; "ThePiranha and the Mailman" was created by David Harold of New York,N.Y.; "The Adventures of Sam Digital in the 21st Century" was createdby Nick Claridge of Toronto, and "Attack of the Giant Vulture" wascreated by Jessica May Liu and Leslie Cheung of New York, N.Y.And this is not the end. At the close of the show, viewers willsee a special address where they can send a postcard. From thoseentries, one short person will be selected to be the source ofanother short film this year.COSTUME TIME: Kids will have a chance to act out the"Gingerbread Man" story while visiting the Chicago Children's Museum.Andrea Salloum of Kidswork Touring Theatre Co. will conduct ahands-on drama workshop from 3:30-4:15 p.m. Sunday, Monday (open forthe holidays), Dec. 27 and Dec. 28 at the museum, Navy Pier, 700 E.Grand.Salloum also will lead participants in theatre games andimagination exercises. Free with museum admission. Forinformation, call (312) 527-1000.SPECIAL `NIGHTINGALE': The Children's Theatre Fantasy Orchardwill offer a special matinee performance of "The Nightingale." Thefairy tale will be performed at 1 p.m. Saturday at the IvanhoeTheatre, 750 W. Wellington.Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for children, and advancereservations are required. Call the Children's Theatre (773)539-4211.