Northwest Film Forum

This collection of films is meant to wash over you in a wave of exquisite, painterly animation. Dive down deep into stories that will take you to strange planets, the frozen tundra, dense forests and inside the workings of a marionette theater. These films are meant to remind you that life is a journey, that sometimes hard choices have to be made and that dreams really can come true.

A Lifestory

(Nacho Rodriguez, Spain, 2013, 4:20 min) Nonverbal.

A little cat must leave his home planet to look for something precious.

The Song for Rain

(Yawen Zheng, China, 2012, 8:11 min) Nonverbal.

A little boy meets a fox on a rainy day. What will become of their friendship when the clouds go away?

The Little Cousteau

(Jakub Kouril, Czech Republic, 2013, 8 min) Nonverbal.

A little boy longs for deep-sea adventures in a snow-covered city.

Bear Story

(Gabriel Osorio Vargas, Chile, 2014, 10:14 min) Nonverbal.

An old bear goes out every day to a busy street corner. Through a tin marionette theater of his own making, the bear will tell us his life story.

The Dam Keeper

(Dice Tsutsumi and Robert Kondo, USA, 2013, 18:05 min) In English.

A young pig is encumbered with an important job, but his friendship with a new classmate changes everything for him.

Gerdas Vej

(Jeremy Pailler, France, 2013, 15:41 min) In Danish with English subtitles.

A little girl must cross distances and meet strange characters to find the one she loves, and learn what life is really about.

For ages 9+.

Notes to parents: This is a program for dreamers who are not afraid of themes that are sometimes sad. There are happy endings, too. The animation is breathtaking throughout.

Trailers:

The Little Cousteau: https://vimeo.com/92071821

A Lifestory: https://vimeo.com/73543212

The Dam Keeper: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTd3J1GFC5M

Gerdas Vej: http://gerdasvej.wix.com/film#!trailer/c1t44