2010 Festival Schedule
January 22-31, 2010
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feature films /
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short film programs
About the Festival
The largest children's film festival in the Pacific Northwest, Children's Film Festival Seattle celebrates the best and brightest in international children's cinema with a 10-day extravaganza of films from more than 25 countries. This year's edition includes a mind-blowing blend of programs that include live performances, animation, features, shorts, historical films and fantastic hands-on workshops for the filmmakers of tomorrow.
Join us for a celluloid carpet ride around the globe, to see films that are inspiring, magical, one-of-a-kind -- and not available on DVD. Crafted by Elizabeth Shepherd, the Film Forum's Children's Film Curator, Children's Film Festival Seattle includes gentle programs for tiny first-time movie-goers, chills and thrills for older, more adventurous viewers and films that will inspire young people to get involved and make a difference. What better way to spend the chilly days of January than to come together in community in our cozy cinemas, to see international films made for the next generation of movie lovers?
Ticket Information
Admission to most festival programs is only $6.50 for kids and $9 for adults, or $6 for anyone with a Northwest Film Forum membership, unless otherwise noted. Tickets will be available from the website beginning December 15, or by calling (800) 838-3006. Many screenings sell out -- avoid tears and get your tickets in advance!
All festival screenings take place at Northwest Film Forum. The cinemas are located at 1515 12th Ave in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, on 12th Avenue between Pike & Pine Street. (Please note that the Pancake Breakfast is held at the Central Lutheran Church, see event detail for more information.) Click here for directions.
Festival Schedule
| Friday, Jan. 22 | 7pm Lelavision |
| Saturday, Jan. 23 | 9:30am Pancake Breakfast and Short Film Smorgasbord |
| Sunday, Jan. 24 | 11am Creature Comforts 11:30am Passport 1pm Moomin 1:30pm On My Way 3pm Magic Carpet 3:30pm Little Dodo 5pm Totally Tall Tales 5:30pm Letter to the King 8pm Small Change |
| Monday, Jan. 25 | 10am Lelavision 7 and 9pm Small Change |
| Tuesday, Jan. 26 | 10am Lelavision 7 and 9pm Small Change |
| Wednesday, Jan. 27 | 10am Lelavision 7 and 9pm Small Change |
| Thursday, Jan. 28 | 10am Creature Comforts 7 and 9pm Small Change |
| Friday, Jan. 29 (no school!) |
10am What A Wonderful World 11:30am Magic Carpet 1pm Little Dodo 1:30pm Green Screen 3pm Totally Tall Tales 3:30pm On My Way 5pm Animation Brigade 5:30pm Passport 7pm Chills and Thrills |
| Saturday, Jan. 30 | 11am Gustafer Yellowgold 11:30am Green Screen 1pm Magic Carpet 1:30pm Moomin 3pm What a Wonderful World 3:30pm Chills and Thrills 5pm The Crocodiles 5:30pm Passport 7pm Animation Brigade |
| Sunday, Jan. 31 | 11am Creature Comforts 11:30am On My Way 1pm What a Wonderful World 1:30pm Letter to the King 3pm Totally Tall Tales 3:30pm Frogs and Toads 5pm Closing Ceremony |
January 22 at 7pm (see below for additional showtimes)
Opening night: Lelavision!
Seattle Premiere!
Science will take center stage in "The Accumulation of Change," a world premiere performance by Lelavision Physical Music. Blending choreography, original video, DaVinci-esque musical sculptures and lots of audience participation, Lelavision founders Leah Mann and Ela Lambin will explore the origins of life, aided by the observations of Dr. David Lynn, chair of the biochemistry department at Emory University. www.lelavision.com
Ages 8 and up. Total running time: 80 min
Please note these additional performances during the festival:
Jan 23 at 1pm; Jan 25 at 10am; Jan 26 at 10am; Jan 27 at 10am
$10 adults, $8 kids on Jan 22-23
$10 or "pay what you can" on Jan 25-27
Teachers and group leaders must make reservations in advance for group discounts. Please email liz@nwfilmforum.org
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Jan 23 at 9:30am with film screenings at 10:30 and 11am
Pancake Breakfast and Short Film Smorgasbord!
This all-you-can-eat pancake and bacon breakfast is fun for the whole family! And of course we'll have gallons of hot coffee on hand for the adults. After breakfast, come to Northwest Film Forum for a special screening of What a Wonderful World, a program of international short films (see below). Plus, there will be a performance of traditional songs by the Red Eagle Soaring Native Youth Theatre group!
Music will be provided by the Rabbit Stew String Band. Rabbit Stew is an Old Time trio of fiddle, guitar, and banjo, playing community music that filled grange halls, barns, and front porches at the start of the last century. With tunes that carry names like "Shove That Pigs Foot a Little Further Into the Fire" and "Jaybird Died of a Whooping Cough", your brain might wonder at the origins of this stuff, but your feet will know exactly what to do. Toe tapping guaranteed!
Please note: The breakfast will be held at the Central Lutheran Church Parish House (1710 11th Avenue, just 1 block from NWFF)
All ages
$50 per family of four, individual tickets $12.50
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Jan 31 at 5pm
Closing Ceremony
Experience the glamour of a world premiere and the thrill of an awards ceremony! This program will feature films created in festival workshops, the announcement of Children's Jury decisions and a presentation of prize-winning films.
All ages. Total running time: approximately 90 min
Special Programs
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Jan 23 at 3pm; Jan 29 at 5pm; Jan 30 at 7pm
Animation Brigade
Since the 1990s, a talented group of Latvian animators have been
creating puppet animation films that have delighted children all over
the world. Join us for a special salute to AB Studio's "Rescue
Team," "Munk and Lemmy" and "Animals" films, and travel to a wonderland
full of brave, roguish and mischievous creatures.
The Swan (Janis Cimermanis, 1991); The Tart (Janis Cimermanis, 1995); The Bird Cage (Janis Cimermanis, 1996); Cats (2002, Dace Riduze); Magician (Maris Brinkmanis, 2001); Munk and Lemmy: Let's Fly (Nils Skapans, 1994); Animals: Home Hole Horrors (Maris Putnins, 1999); Firefly (Dace Riduze, 2002).
All ages. Total Running Time: 56 min
All films are nonverbal.
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Jan 30 at 11am
Gustafer Yellowgold
This live performance blends music and animation to tell the story of Gustafer, a little drop of sun who comes down to earth. Join us for Morgan Taylor's catchy and original show about Gustafer and his pals--a pterodactyl, eel, dragon and a gang of mustard slugs! The New York Times calls it "a cross between 'Yellow Submarine' and Dr. Seuss."
All ages.
$12 general admission, $10 NWFF members
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Jan 24 at 1pm; Jan 30 at 1:30pm
Moomin and Midsummer Madness
North American premiere!
(Maria Lindberg, Finland, 2008)
This animated film, adapted from Tove Jansson's beloved book Moominsummer Madness, tells the charming story of the Moomin family's adventures when they take up residence in a floating house. It turns out that for the Moomins, all the world is a stage!
Shown with
Davy Crocket in Space
(Max Porter, Ru Kuwahata and David Cowles, USA)
Recommended for all ages. Total running time: 78 min
One film has English subtitles. Ages 3 and up.
Feature is in Swedish with English subtitles.
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Jan 23 at 3:30pm; Jan 30 at 5pm
The Crocodiles
North American Premiere!
(Christian Ditter, Germany, 2009)
The Crocodiles, a gang of neighborhood kids, embark on a series of thrilling adventures when they meet Kai, a boy in a wheelchair who wants to join their club. Little do they realize how much Kai will help them learn about life and friendship along the way. Click here to watch the trailer.
Shown with
Teaching the Alphabet
(Volker Schreiner, Germany)
This film pays homage to cinematic splendor from A to Z.
Ages 9 and up. Total running time: 101 min
Parental guidance suggested due to some language, images and scenes depicting danger and fighting. Feature is in German with English subtitles.
World Sales
Delphis Films
225 Roy Street East, Suite 200
Montreal, Quebec H2W 1M5/Canada
phone +1-514-843 3355
fax +-514-843 9574
http://www.delphisfilms.com
Contact
Renate Zylla
email: ryzlla@arcor.de
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Jan 24 at 5:30 pm; Jan 31 at 1:30pm
Letter to the King
West Coast Premiere!
(Peter Verhoeff, Netherlands, 2008)
Letter to the King is a tale from long ago about a 16-year-old boy, Turi, who puts his future as a knight on the line when receives an urgent request to deliver an important letter. His adventures take him through mountain, forest and valley, where danger lurks around every bend. Will he fulfill his promise?
Shown with
The Royal Nightmare
(Alex Budovsky, USA)
A troublesome pilgrim drives an evil king around the bend.
Ages 8 and up. Total running time: 83 min
Parental guidance suggested due to swordplay and other fighting, and a plot driven by lots of danger and suspense. Feature is in Dutch with English subtitles
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Jan 24 at 3:30pm; Jan 29 at 1pm
Little Dodo
West Coast premiere!
(Thilo Graf Rothkirch and Ute von Munchow-Pohl, Germany, 2007)
This charming animated film is about a clever little monkey who saves his family and home while making new friends and playing beautiful music.
Shown with
Abbi's Circle: New Beginnings
(Siobhan Twomey, Ireland)
A group of young friends learns to celebrate their cultural differences.
Ages 4 and up. Total running time: 84 min
There is a brief scene of a tiger threatening Little Dodo. Feature is in German with English subtitles.
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Jan 23 at 5pm; Jan 31 at 3:30pm
Frogs and Toads
West Coast Premiere!
(Simone van Dusseldorp, The Netherlands, 2009)
A wonderful adventure takes shape when a six-year-old boy sets out to help his ailing brother. With a friend, he journeys through forests and meadows, looking high and low for a magical cure. Will the two friends find what they need?
Shows with
When Apples Roll
(Reinis Kalnaellis, Latvia, 7 min)
A sweet cat and a feisty mouse must care for a little lost chick.
Ages 5 and up. Total running time: 82 min
Feature is in Dutch with English subtitles.
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Jan. 23-24 at 8pm; Jan 25-28 at 7 and 9pm
Small Change
New 35mm print!
(Francois Truffaut, France, 1976)
Truffaut's critically acclaimed film is a gentle and comedic tribute to the small moments and chance happenings that define and shape the childhoods of a group of children in the picturesque French town of Thiers. Film critic Vincent Canby called the "an original, a major work in minor keys."
Shows with
The Simple Things
(Behzad Farahat, Iran, 4 min)
In simple and elegant animation, the filmmaker tells the story of a nest full of chicks.
Ages 10 and up. Total running time: 109 min
Parental guidance is suggested due to some mild adult language, a very brief scene of partial nudity and a plot line about a boy who lives in an abusive home. Feature is in French with English subtitles.
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Jan 23 at 10:30 and 11am (Pancake Breakfast attendees only); Jan 29 at 10am; Jan 30 at 3pm; Jan 31 at 1pm
What a Wonderful World
This fast-paced program is filled with films that are musical, moving, funny and full of adventure.
Head Dwellers (Maria Boros, Hungary); Nappy Heads (Sabrina Moella, Canada); For a Fistful of Snow (Julien Ezri, Switzerland); The Mouse That Soared (Kyle Bell, USA); Hello Antenna (Veronika Samartseva and Anna Samoylovich, Germany); Betty--The Doll (Anna Guldager, Sweden); Crane and Digger (Leonore Poth, Germany); The Moth and the Firefly (Daniel Stedman and Aron Epstein, USA); Getting Dad (Hailey Bartholomew, Australia); The King of the Island (Raimondo Della Calce, Italy).
Recommended for all ages. Total running time: 60 min
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Jan 23 at 1:30pm; Jan 29 at 7pm; Jan 30 at 3:30pm
Chills and Thrills
Fasten your seat belts for a cinematic roller coaster ride, filled with spooky animation and surreal stories. This is the perfect show for kids who like their movies served with a side of goose bumps.
Director Rodrigo Blaas (Alma) will be in attendance January 29-30!
Teleportation (Markus Dietrich, Germany); The Portrait for the Pest (Lucila Las Heras, Argentina); Bob's Knee (Mike Attie, USA); The Royal Nightmare (Alex Budovsky, USA); Alma (Rodrigo Blaas, Spain); Les Escargots de Joseph (Sophie Roze, France); Careful with that Power Tool (Jason Stutter, New Zealand); Price 2,70 Fts (Roland Ballai Toth, Hungary); Elephants (Sally Pearce, Wales).
Ages 8 and up. Total running time: 69 min
Parental guidance suggested due to some spooky themes. Three films have subtitles.
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Jan 23 at 5:30pm; Jan. 29 at 1:30pm; Jan 30 at 11:30am
Green Screen
This eco-friendly program blends fiction and fact to explore environmental awareness and show kids how to help save the earth.
Wasting Earth (Cassia Mary Itamoto and Celina Kurihara, Brazil); Shrug (Alina Constantin, Norway/France); Locally Unwanted Land Usage, Kate Balsley, USA); Inukshuk (Camillelvis Thery, France); A Water Tale (SJ Chiro, USA); Breakout: Environment (Lalita Krishna, Canada, www.breakoutonline.ca).
Ages 8 and up. Total running time: 66 min
One film has subtitles.
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Jan 24 at 1:30pm; Jan 29 at 3:30pm; Jan 31 at 11:30am
On My Way
The kids in these films are growing up fast, expanding their horizons and learning about the world as they tackle everything from bad hair days to much more complicated problems.
Dreamscape (Pelle Hybbinette, Sweden); Iker Stubborn Hair (Sandra Garcia Velten, Mexico); The Magic Stamp (Tomoko Oguchi, USA); Cocoon Child (Sonja Rohleder, Germany); Mr. Mack's Kitchen (Mike Attie, USA); Father Gave Water (Mahdi Jafari, Iran); Frog (Cecilia Torquato, Sweden); Immersion (Richard Levien, USA); Something to Hold Onto (Barbara O'Halloran, USA).
Ages 8 and up. Total running time: 69 min
Three films have subtitles.
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Jan 24 at 5 pm; Jan 29 at 3pm; Jan 31 at 3pm
Totally Tall Tales
Gather around for a high-spirited collection of Greek myths, African fables, Mexican and Brazilian legends, Hungarian folk tales and Irish yarns.
Join us at the January 31, 3pm show for a special introduction by a Spanish language instructor, courtesy of Sponge, a leader in language education. Learn some words to help you understand one of the short films in the program!
Just So Stories: The Beginnings of the Armadillo (Jean-Jacques Prunes, France); Xani Xepika! (Dominique Jonard, Mexico); Long Long Ago: The Salmon of Knowledge (Michael Algar, Ireland); Long Long Ago: The Warty Tree (Michael Algar, Ireland); Ideation (Jeremiah Dicky, USA); The Legend of the Bat (Lucia Morgan, UK/Mexico); Josue e o Pe de Macaxeira (Diogo Viegas, Brazil); SOL (Harry Wormald, UK); The Wee King (Lajos Nagy, Hungary); Leila (Louise-Marie Colon, Belgium/Burkina Faso); El Relato de Sean Brennan (Tonatiuh Moreno, Mexico).
Ages 7 and up. Total running time: 67 min
Four films have subtitles.
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Jan 24 at 3pm; Jan 29 at 11:30 am; Jan 30 at 1pm
Magic Carpet
This program of inventive international animation and amazing stories will whisk you a way on a whirlwind trip around the world.
Panic Painter (Johan Hagelback, Sweden); El Armadillo Fronterizo (Miguel Anaya, Mexico); Heterogenic (Raimondo Della Calce, Italy); Home Sweet Home (Pascal Adant, Belgium); Chicory 'n' Coffee (Dusan Kastelic, Slovenia); Melvin (Magnus Holmgren, Sweden); The Sand Piper (Jimmy Marakami, Ireland); I'm Hungry (Louise-Marie Colon and Delphine Hermans, Belgium); The Mouse with a Mouth (Andrea Kiss, Belgium/France/Hungary).
Ages 7 and up. Total running time: 75 min
Three films have subtitles.
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Jan 24 at 11:30am; Jan 29 at 5:30pm; Jan 30 at 5:30pm
Passport
On this cinematic voyage, you'll hear stories from Madagascar, Mexico, Iran, Brazil, Palestine, India and Kenya, and meet real-life kids who are making the world a better place.
Bamiyan (Patrick Pleutin, France); To Be a Child in Iran (Behrooz Karamizade, Iran); The Scarecrow Girl (Cassio Pereira dos Santos, Brazil); Madagascar, a journey diary (Guilaine Bergeret, France); Warda (Louise-Marie Colon and Delphine Hermans, Belgium/Palestine); Breakout: The Power of One (Lalita Krishna, Canada, www.breakoutonline.ca).
Ages 9 and up. Total running time: 77 min
Parental guidance suggested due to a brief moment of partial nudity in one film. Five films have subtitles.
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Jan 24 at 11am, Jan 28 at 10am, Jan 31 at 11am
Creature Comforts
This program is tailor-made for the festival's youngest viewers with colorful films filled with sweet animals, cheerful music and gentle stories.
Join us at the January 31, 11am show for a special introduction by a Spanish language instructor, courtesy of Sponge, a leader in language education. Learn some words to help you understand one of the short films in the program!
Green Leaf (Harry Flosser, Germany); Pink Nanuq (Jeanine Reutemann, Switzerland); When Apples Roll (Reinis Kalnaellis, Latvia); Tales for Tiny Tots (Gun Jacobson and Anna-Clara Tidholm); Saari (Veronica Lassenius, Spain); Electric Car (Max Porter and Ru Kuwahata, USA); Miriam's Broken Picture (Priit Tender, Estonia); Y por que? (German Anzola, Venezuela); Cuento de Lac: The C Story (Carlos Navarro, Spain,); Hajar's Wedding (Mahin Javaherian, Iran); Un Duelo (Felipe Esquivel, Mexico); Glow (Jenna Byun, Canada).
Ages 3 and up. Total running time: 62 min
Three films have subtitles.