Feature films
JanUARY 22 - FebRUARY 7 10th BIRTHDAY PARTY EDITION
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Feature films
about the festival Over the past decade, Children’s Film Festival Seattle has become the largest and most respected competitive film festival on the West Coast dedicated to young people and their families. Northwest Film Forum’s 12-day annual extravaganza celebrates the best and brightest international cinema for children, and features live performances, animation, features, shorts and filmmaking workshops, all crafted with care for the next generation of adventurous movie lovers.
CONTENTS
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OPENING WEEKEND
p. 4
FEATURE FILMS
p. 6
SHORTS
p. 16
SPECIAL EVENTS
p. 34
INFORMATION
p. 36
CLASSES
p. 38
IT’S A KID’S FILM FESTIVAL!
Don your party hat and get ready to pin the filmstrip on the projector—this is our 10th Birthday Party edition of Children’s Film Festival Seattle! And my, how we’ve grown! Double-digits is a big deal: in the past decade, our one-of-a-kind celluloid ride around the globe has become the largest international festival of its kind on the West Coast—a celebration of movies that are inspiring, magical, and definitely not available on Netflix. This year, we’ll show you an astounding 175+ films from 58 countries and boast a mind-blowing mélange of live performances, animation, features, shorts, meet-and-greets with filmmakers and hands-on workshops. Opening weekend includes our traditional pajama party, when Seattle “kindie” bigshot Caspar Babypants will rock us into this year’s fest. Come dressed to dance in your most comfy PJs or favorite furry critter costume. As the festival unspools, we’ll also offer our traditional pancake breakfast and other fun events including a birthday cake walk. Our lineup of award-winning new features come from Seattle, both Americas, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. We’ll also travel back to the dawn of cinema to see one of the best family films ever made, Buster Keaton’s Steamboat Bill, Jr., with a new live score performed by Seattle music duo, Miles and Karina. More short film programs than ever before will offer something to everyone aged 2 - 15, from gentle animation for our youngest viewers to meaty docs about important issues for older kids. We’ll also give kids a chance to make their own silver screen dreams come to life, with an expanded slate of workshops taking place the whole month of January. It’s a kid’s film festival—a time when children step behind the screen to learn how films are made and talented filmmakers tell stories that surprise, delight and enlighten audiences. You’ll sail the high seas, travel the globe, fly to the moon and spy with your little eyes a multitude of wonders. From the beginning, we’ve believed that kids can only change the world if they see the world. We hope this festival opens their eyes.
Liz Shepherd Festival Director
Feature films
opening weekend
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opening weekend events
STEAMBOAT BILL, JR.
FESTIVAL OPENING NIGHT!
JANUARY 22, THURSDAY AT 7PM World Premiere Live Performance!
1928
70 min
Don’t miss the boat to the start of Children’s Film Festival Seattle 2015 — it’s one of the most beloved family films ever made! Steamboat Bill, Jr., Keaton’s most farcical and funny feature, tells the story of an accident-prone and bookish son, who must help his burly, redneck steamboat captain father save his business from a rival tycoon. In the process, Keaton performs mind-bending stunts and thrilling physical comedy. Northwest Film Forum has commissioned Seattle musicians and composers Miles & Karina (Dave Keenan and Nova Devonie) to compose and perform a new musical score for the film; expect guitar, violin, accordion, banjo, and other instruments. All ages
Special ticket pricing: $10 Film Forum members / $12 general admission / $38 per family of four
PAJAMA PARTY WITH CASPAR BABYPANTS JANUARY 23, FRIDAY AT 7PM Live Performance!
60 min
Calling all party animals — are you ready to dance and partake in some serious cupcake consumption? Wear your PJs and fluffy slippers, and bring your favorite stuffed animal along to see Caspar Babypants — the nationally beloved kindie-rock act of Chris Ballew, from The Presidents of the United States of America. Caspar Babypants is doing an all-animal songs show, and there will also be a sneak preview of international animation from the festival that features furry and feathered critters. Ages 3+ Special ticket pricing: $10 Film Forum members/ $12 general admission/ $38 per family of four
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Feature films
feature films
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feature films
BUBBLE BUBBLE MEOWS
FREE STICKERS, PLUS DOOR PRIZES!
AND THE METEOR STOMACHACHE JANUARY 30, FRIDAY AT 7PM JANUARY 31, SATURDAY AT 3:30PM Filmmaker and voice talent in attendance!
2014
84 min
Matt Orefice, USA (animation)
Come see the epic adventures of a poorly drawn animated cat, Bubble Bubble Meows, as he goes on a quest to cure his friend, a string bean who has a bellyache caused by meteor consumption. Surely no cat has ever driven a baked potato car to such a fine theme song, on such kookoo beaucoup bonkers adventures! Audiences of all ages may find themselves exclaiming, “oh wowsh!” upon exiting the theater! Ages 2 to 102 Notes for parents: In English and very occasionally, Japanese, with English subtitles. This charming, DIY Seattle-made film truly is for all ages. Screens with: Remember (Peter Ray, USA, 2014, live action, 2 min)
Join us before the screening of Bubble Bubble Meows for a coloring book party in the Film Forum lobby!
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Feature films
PIM & POM: THE BIG ADVENTURE FEBRUARY 1, SUNDAY AT 11AM West Coast Premiere!
2014
70 min
Gioia Smid, the Netherlands (animation)
Two cats, Pim and Pom, are best friends who live together with “The Lady.” But one day, the lady’s nieces come to visit, and they take the cats to the park for a picnic. However, what they really want to do is keep Pim and Pom for themselves, and they’ve come up with a plan to “cat-nap” them! A musical, gentle (and yet) action-packed film about the power of friendship, with a stylish 1960s look that will make parents smile, too. Ages 3+ Notes for parents: In English. This is a film made for very young children, but the plot is about two lost cats who sometimes face dangers as they try to find their way home. Some scenes might be too intense for the most sensitive young viewers. But it won’t spoil anything to say the movie has a very happy ending! Screens with: LAMI (Christophe and Oliver Defaye, Japan, animation, 2013, 2:30 min)
SELKIRK, THE REAL ROBINSON CRUSOE JANUARY 25, SUNDAY AT 3PM Seattle Premiere!
2012
80 min
Walter Tournier, Argentina/Uruguay/Chile (animation)
Selkirk, an unruly, selfish pirate, is the master of an English galley sailing the South Seas in search of treasure. With his merry band of pirates (one of whom is a girl in disguise), life is one adventure after the next. But after he is abandoned on an uninhabited island, he changes his outlook on the world and learns to survive alone. His story became Daniel Defoe’s inspiration for the novel Robinson Crusoe. Ages 8+ Notes for parents: In Spanish with English subtitles. Some bad pirate behavior in this stop-action animated film includes mild cursing and one instance of a derogatory comment about the girl, but there is also a strong female lead.
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feature films
LABYRINTHUS JANUARY 24, SATURDAY AT 3PM West Coast Premiere!
2014
98 min
Douglas Boswell, Belgium (live action)
Frikke, a 14-year-old boy, comes across a computer game and discovers that it is being played with real kids, uploaded into the game’s labyrinth. In a race against time, Frikke tries to find the creator of this horrible game and help the kids inside it. Ages 9+ NOTES FOR PARENTS: In Dutch with English subtitles. This is a fast-paced thriller, with lots of adventure, cliffhangers, and a real villain who might be too scary for the most sensitive young viewers. There is some minor name-calling, coarse language, and one instance of discreet urinating in public.
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Feature films
ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL JANUARY 24, SATURDAY AT 7PM Northwest Premiere!
2014
77 min
Pascal Plisson, France/China/South Africa/Brazil/ Colombia (live action)
They live in all four corners of the planet and share a thirst for knowledge. Almost instinctively, they know that their survival depends on knowledge and education. From the dangerous savannahs of Kenya to the winding trails of the Atlas mountains in Morocco, from the suffocating heat of Southern India to the vast, dizzying plateaus of Patagonia, four children are all united by the same quest, the same dream: to go to school. Ages 9+ Note for parents: In French, Swahili, Maasai, and Spanish with English subtitles. This film is recommended for ages 9+ because of subtitles and a structure that suggests a more mature attention span. However, some younger children may also enjoy the film.
SALLY’S WAY JANUARY 31, SATURDAY AT 3PM World premiere, with filmmaker in attendance! Sally, a 12-year-old girl orphaned by HIV/AIDS, needs to use her ingenuity to help her ailing grandmother, who is the only family she has left. Set in the lush Caribbean, the film has a universal message of how to thrive despite the odds, and face the challenges of displacement and loss with positivity and creativity. Ages 9+ Notes for parents: In English. 10
2014
87 min
Joanne Gail Johnson, Trinidad and Tobago (live action)
feature films
LOLA ON THE PEA JANUARY 31, SATURDAY AT 5PM West Coast premiere, with filmmaker in attendance!
2014
90 min
Thomas Heinemann, Germany (live action)
Nine-year-old Lola lives on a charming old houseboat with her mother. But life isn’t exactly going swimmingly for her. She misses her long-gone dad, and doesn’t much care for her mom’s new boyfriend. She also has to contend with schoolmates who tease her and chase her home from school. But one day, she makes friends with the quiet new boy in town, named Rebin. Rebin’s family is secluded and mysterious, and Lola soon finds out that they are migrants who don’t have the proper documents to live and work in Germany. Together, the two friends learn to fight for what is right, stand up to bullies, and face the future with courage and hope. Ages 9+ Notes for parents: In German with English subtitles. This film tackles tough subjects, but it is also musical, funny, and fast-paced, with believable characters and a story that will give parents and kids lots to talk about after the show. There are a few instances of coarse language, spoken by bullies and frustrated adults, and a very brief glimpse, seen from a distance, of non-frontal nudity.
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Feature films
CLARA AND THE SECRET OF THE BEARS JANUARY 24, SATURDAY AT 1:30PM Seattle premiere!
2013
90 min
Tobias Ineichen, Germany/Switzerland (live action)
Part ghost story, part story of friendship and part nature film, this is the gripping tale of a girl named Clara, who lives with her mother and her stepfather on a farm in the Swiss Alps. Clara’s connection with nature enables her to see and feel things others can’t perceive. Together with her friend and confidant Thomas, she discovers an ancient shoe, and must travel across the gulf of time to repair the rift between humans and the rest of nature. Ages 10+ NOTES FOR PARENTS: In German with English subtitles. There is tense drama, some scary scenes, a few coarse words, a scene with guns and a happy ending.
THE OUTLAW LEAGUE JANUARY 25, SUNDAY AT 7PM U.S. premiere!
2014
86 min
Jean Beaudry, Canada (live action)
Nicolas, the son and grandson of fishermen, lives with his mom and sister in a village overlooking the sea. A terrible storm snatched his father a few years earlier, and Nicolas must not only deal with his loss, but also the slow disintegration of his grandfather, Jérémie, who has started drinking too much to ease the pain of the death of his son. Summer vacation is the chance for Nicolas to resume his greatest pleasure: playing baseball with his friends. But a big obstacle greets the kids who assemble at the village baseball field: the town council has decided to convert the field into a municipal dump. Ages 10+ Notes for parents: In French with English subtitles. This uplifting film includes a few coarse words and a frank depiction of an alcoholic but loving grandfather.
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feature films
SHANA: THE WOLF’S MUSIC JANUARY 28, TUESDAY AT 7PM JANUARY 31, SATURDAY AT 7PM Seattle premiere!
2014
96 min
Nino Jacusso, Canada/Switzerland (live action)
Shana is a Canadian First Nations girl who is a gifted violinist. But she has problems no young person should have to face: her mother has died, and her father is struggling with his own demons. Only Shana’s new teacher seems to care about her, and at first, Shana pushes her away. But she meets another, more mystical being to accompany her on her journey: a wild wolf who helps her reconnect with her ancestors, make peace with her circumstances, and use her talents to express her passions. Ages 10+ Notes for parents: In English. This uplifting film includes a few coarse words and a frank depiction of an alcoholic but loving parent.
Pre-screening performance on Saturday by Red Eagle Soaring, plus meet the star, Sunshine O’Donovan, and other lead cast members!
Co-presented with
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Feature films
HAVANA CURVEBALL JANUARY 24, SATURDAY AT 5PM JANUARY 26, MONDAY AT 7PM Seattle premiere with filmmaker in attendance!
2014
60 min
Marcia Jarmel & Ken Schneider, USA (live action)
At 13, Mica is enthusiastic, idealistic, dreaming of baseball and studying for his Bar Mitzvah. Imagining himself a savior of sorts, he launches a grand plan to send baseballs to Cuba, a country with a mysterious pull. He knows only that Cubans are poor and love baseball, and that Cuba was the place where his grandpa received refuge during the Holocaust. On a hunch, his award-winning filmmaker parents pick up their camera. They know the U.S. embargo with Cuba will throw him a curveball. Ages 11+ Notes for parents: In English and Spanish, with English subtitles. This is a film about what happens when a teenager discovers how difficult it can be to do a simple good deed. As might be expected, a few coarse words are uttered during the film. Screens with: Falling Planes (Mario Piredda, Cuba, 2012 (live action), 12 min)
Co-presented with
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feature films
THE FINISHERS JANUARY 25, SUNDAY AT 5PM West Coast Premiere!
2013
95 min
Nils Tavernier, France (live action)
Julien is 17, has a great sense of humor, lots of charm, and is wheelchair-bound due to cerebral palsy. His parents love him, but the family is gradually falling apart under the strain of dealing with his disability. His mother is overprotective, and his father has become withdrawn and self-destructive. In a bid to both bond with his father and help him, Julien challenges him to participate (with him) in the Ironman race in Nice. Ages 12+ Notes to parents: In French with English subtitles. There is a very brief glimpse of nudity, seen from a distance, as well as one coarse gesture and very limited coarse language. Julien’s dad smokes, but gives it up halfway through the film. 15
Feature films
SHORT FILMS
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SHORT FILMS
SUPER SHENANIGANS: FILMS BY YOUTH JANUARY 25, SUNDAY AT 7PM
97 min
Join us for an extravaganza of movies (with intermission!) made by future filmmakers of the world. Includes films made at Northwest Film Forum and Coyote Central youth camps, in other Seattle youth filmmaking programs, New Jersey, East London, the United Arab Emirates and Croatia! The Cool Stuff of Kids Jonah Kozlowski & NWFF Youth Filmmakers (USA)
Danger Zone Sam Fillmore, Kelland Freet, Miles Seinfeld, Luke Oden (USA)
The Forgotten Phone Matt Torrey, Katrina Marro, Hadley Hillel, Walker Guerra, Zoe Tokheim, Mercer Kriese, Ethan Keydel, Lilli Keydel (USA)
Office Ranger Bruno Borovec (Croatia) Sinaloa Bike Insurance Connor Castro (USA)
The SleepwalkerKatrina Marro, Azai Counts, Ryan Sommers (USA)
A Climb to Die For Theo Taplitz (USA)
1st World Problems Luke Oden, Nico Williams, Miles Seinfeld, Bobby Aspiras, Jacob Lallas (USA)
Copperbeard and the Legend of Pie Big Voice Media (UK)
RON “Trailer” Sidney Han, Lars Olt, Sam Matterlin (USA)
SUPER Movie Nathanael Burns (USA)
The Difficult Years Gabbi Robbins, Violet Majacher, Nicole DeBurle (USA)
The Day I Became a Hero Hashim M. Hussain (United Arab Emirates)
Great Mimes Think Alike Will Slater, Michael Vitz-Wong, Kiana Wyld (USA)
Bring It All Back Bianca Davis, Keaton Freet, Nico Williams, Lukas Civan (USA)
Air Pressure Leo Pfeifer, Coleman Andersen (USA)
100 Posto Jabuka Marta Krpan, Jelena Galic, Helena Ivkovic, Domagoj Kudek (Croatia)
Sania Matthew Cornet (England) Life Is Good Max Kang, Alex Ruhl (USA)
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SHORT films
SNUGGLE TIME JANUARY 24, SATURDAY AT 11AM
54 min
Sometimes we just want to snuggle up with our favorite blanket and stuffed animal for a warm nap. Cuddle with some cute little dogs, soft teddy bears, downy birds and chicks and the Shammies, who will sing you a lullaby. Ages 2+ Notes FOR parents: One film very gently depicts some of the hardships faced by a street child in India. Peter Pix (Alarm Clock) Trine Heller Jensen (Denmark)
Visitor Tatiana Skorlupkina (Russia)
Pretty Crabby Charlotte Blacker (England)
The Little Hedgehog Marjorie Caup (France/Belgium)
The Night Song Moeen Samadi (Iran)
The Mitten Clementine Robach (France/Belgium)
Shedyk Joanna Polak (Poland)
Every Star Yawen Zheng (USA)
Dear November Boy Takeshi Yashiro (Japan)
Counting Happiness Venetia Evripiotou (Greece/India)
How Shammies Were Getting Married Edmunds Jansons (Latvia) 18
SHORT FILMS
PARTY ANIMALS JANUARY 25, SUNDAY AT 11AM JANUARY 30, FRIDAY AT 11AM
62 min
A gloriously animated extravaganza of animal stories, featuring bugs, butterflies, bunnies, owls, kitties, zebra and birds of several different feathers! These stories of friendship and fun are especially recommended for our youngest festival-goers and their parents! Ages 2+ Big Bug and Little Pipsqueak Shestopalov Dmitry (Belarus)
Flapper and Friends: Spring Concert Krzysztof Brzozowski (Poland)
Cherish Garden Miho Yata (Japan)
The Collection of Peanuts Agnès Lecreux, Ben Tesseur and Steven De Beul (France/Belgium/Switzerland)
Animal Friends: A Bird Day Eva Lindström (Sweden) Lambs Gottfried Mentor (Germany) Fred & Anabel Grit Wisskirchen and Nadja Rademacher (Germany)
Where’s the Fish Enson Huang (Taiwan)
Carrot Jam Anne Viel (France/Belgium)
Zebra Julia Ocker (Germany)
BZz Luca Fattore (Denmark)
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SHORT films
ABRACADABRA JANUARY 24, SATURDAY AT 1PM JANUARY 30, FRIDAY AT 1PM
65 min
The world is full of magic in the most surprising places. Discover a seashell that can shrink buildings and pick up boats, a ring that tells you the truth about anything you see and a toy car that finds its way home to its original owner. Join us after the screening on January 24 for a special live performance of Voyage to the Moon, which combines film and dance by Version Excursion for an interactive live experience. Ages 5+ NOTES FOR PARENTS: There is joyous play with a small water pistol in one film and a very brief glimpse of a bare bottom in another. A Shell Maya Tiberman (Israel)
Film Muffler: Thinking of the Moon Miho Yata (Japan)
Cartoon Away Augusto Bicalho Roque (Brazil)
Moritz Stefanie Maier (Germany)
Eddie Allison Coon-Come (Canada)
One Man, Eight Cameras Naren Wilks (England)
Kalle Kran Johan Hagelb채ck (Sweden)
Secret Decoder Ring Eli Brown (USA)
Trampoline Maarten Koopman (Netherlands)
Amai the Bird of Light Fauzia Minallah ( Pakistan)
Mr. Toti and Magic Comb G. Handzlik & J. Baran (Poland)
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SHORT FILMS
FANTASTIC JOURNEYS JANUARY 24, SATURDAY AT 11AM * JANUARY 31, SATURDAY AT 10:30AM AND 11AM FEBRUARY 7, SATURDAY AT 1PM
80 min
Journeys take us to new places, whether in the outside world or within ourselves. On these animated flights of fancy, you’ll scale the Alps, push the sun and the moon back into alignment, and jump into a whole ocean of lemonade. Ages 5+ * Special screening at Rainier Valley Cultural Center, 3515 S. Alaska St. Pricing: $5 kids, $7 adults.
Available at door only. NOTES FOR PARENTS: In one film chess pieces engage in a sword fight, without injury, and the combatants soon become friends. The Midnight Tourist Koray Kocaturk (USA)
Little Matryoshka Serin Inan and Tolga Yildiz (Turkey)
Wombo Daniel Acht (Germany)
The Lonely Scarecrow Alen Ghazarian (Iran)
The Gallant Captain Katrina Mathers and Graeme Base
A Tin Can Tatiana Kiseleva (Russia)
(Australia) Marooned Maroo Takehiro Nishikawa (USA) Lemonade Tale Vallo Toomla (Estonia) Father Frismas Youri Tcherenkov (France) 21
SHORT films
FREE YOUR MIND JANUARY 25, SUNDAY AT 1PM FEBRUARY 7, SATURDAY AT 3:30PM
67 min
Have you ever felt a bolt out of the blue, a moment when your mind opens up and you see new possibilities? That’s what happens to the kids in these shorts. You’ll meet a girl who slips into a new dimension, a boy whose mind plays tricks on him, a child determined to trap a sunbeam and a boy who simply can’t sit still. Ages 6+ Notes to parents: One film shows a girl’s buoyant response to an instance of bullying. Another has some brief bathroom humor and a bittersweet ending. And in a festival first, another film features a hungry carnivorous plant! 1-0 Saman Hosseinpuor (Kurdistan/Iran)
Illusion Yoon sun Bae and Vanessa Lee (USA)
Land Masanobu Hiraoka (Japan)
Doron Coron Yuichi Ito (Japan)
Imagination Catheryne Chepik (Ukraine)
Tale of a String Karsten Kiilerich (Denmark)
The Little Blonde Boy with a White Sheep Eloi Henriod (France)
Balloons Sitora Takanaev (USA) The Light and the Little Girl Guy Pooles (USA/UK)
LOOK! Udo Prinsen (Netherlands) Sounds of Nature Simon Weber (Switzerland) The New Species Kateřina Karhánková (Czech Republic) Koyaa — Flower Kolja Saksida (Slovenia/Croatia/Poland)
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SHORT FILMS
HIGH TECH HIJINKS JANUARY 30, FRIDAY AT 3PM JANUARY 31, SATURDAY AT 1:30PM
63 min
An animated roundup for kids who love gadgets, gizmos, robots and other marvelous inventions. Dive inside a computer’s brain, roam a junkyard looking for robot parts, soar above a city made of circuit boards and find out what your phone and tablet are up to after you fall asleep! Ages 6+ Notes FOR parents: In one film a frustrated father uses a very mild expletive. Dog-e Patrick Raats (Netherlands)
Finding M.E. Adriana Ariza Luque & Nelson Iván Vera Briceño (Colombia)
Jack Quentin Haberham (Netherlands) Bitseller Juanma Sanchez (Spain) Papa Natalie Labarre (USA) The Numberlys William Joyce & Brandon Oldenburg (USA) Electric Soul Joni Männistö (Finland) Emilie Olivier Pesch (Luxembourg/Belgium/Netherlands)
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Feature films
FAMILY MATTERS JANUARY 24, SATURDAY AT 3:30PM FEBRUARY 7, SATURDAY AT 1:30PM
70 min
When it comes to this program, there’s no place like home! Take a trip around the world to see films that show how family life is the same, and different, in seven different countries. In the end, it’s love that makes the world go round. Ages 8+ Notes for parents: In one film a clueless parent makes an awkward reference about marijuana to a teenager. Feel free to eye-roll along with the teen! In another film there is one very brief glimpse of non-explicit nudity. The Ride Katherine Clark (USA)
Harmony Brooks and the Case of the Missing Nucleus Whitney Clinkscales (USA)
The Owlet Olga Vakhonina (Belarus) Me and My Moulton Torill Kove (Canada) Brother’s Day Jennifer Treuting (USA) Solo in Fog Michael Zamjatnins (Germany) 100 Miles Tamas Tatai (UK) The Heart of Stromboli Tobias Deicke (Germany) My Hero Nora Al-Subai (Qatar) Decorations Mari Miyazawa (Japan)
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SHORT FILMS
FABULOUS FABLES JANUARY 25, SUNDAY AT 3:30PM FEBRUARY 7, SATURDAY AT 3PM
67 min
This all-animated collection of folk tales, fairy tales and fables from Africa, Asia, Europe and North America will take you to places deep inside the heart of the human experience, and delve into mysteries beyond comprehension. If you like tales that stand tall, this is the program for you! Ages 8+ Notes for parents: This program is suggested for ages 8+ largely because several films are subtitled. There are also a few mildly scary moments in a few of the films, as the heroes and heroines of the stories battle goblins, witches, bullies and the like. On the Origin of the Earth Joanna Polak and Daria Kopiec (Poland)
Si Lunchai Hannes Rall (Germany/Singapore) Tears of Inge Alisi Telengut (Canada)
Wolf Dog Tales Bernadine Santisteven (USA) The Secret of the Tree Moeen Samadi (Iran) Hansel + Gretel Soyeon Kim (USA) Hiawatha Katherine Clark (USA) Integrity Olanrewaju Oluwafemi and Rashidat Ayoola Oluwafemi (Nigeria)
About a Man and His Devil Partner Joanna Polak and Daria Kopiec (Poland) Jorinde and Joringel Rebecca Akoun (France/Austria)
The Magic Time Kine Aune (Norway) 25
SHORT films
BE DIFFERENT JANUARY 24, SATURDAY AT 5:30PM JANUARY 25, SUNDAY AT 1:30PM
62 min
In what can seem like a cookie-cutter world, it’s great to take a look in the mirror and smile at the wonderfully unique, one-of-a-kind person that is you. These are films that celebrate that kids come in all shapes and sizes. Ages 8+ Notes for parents: This program is recommended for ages 8+ because of subtitles in a few films, but younger children may also enjoy this program. Notebook Babies: Someone Who Gets You Tony Dusko (USA)
Dance Class Camilo Cogua (Colombia) Don’t Be Curly Veronyka Jelinek (Czech Republic)
Anatole’s Little Saucepan Eric Montchaud (France) The Window Camille Müller (Switzerland) Bendik & the Monster Frank Mosvold (Norway) Nothing Lazy Daniela Lizano (Costa Rica) Paper Adventures Viviana Vargas (Costa Rica)
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The Boy Who Thought He Was Alright the Way He Was Tami Ravid (Netherlands)
SHORT FILMS
SHIVERS AND SCARES JANUARY 24, SATURDAY AT 7PM
65 min
Settle down into your seat and we’ll tell you a spellbinding tale of what lurks in the dark corners of the house at night, or at the bottom of the deepest sea. Along the way you’ll also watch funny stories about the mishaps of the grim reaper and the power of imagination. Ages 8+ Notes for parents: Two of the films have very brief instances of coarse language. And this is a program for kids who like chills and thrills, so expect intense imagery! Inside Oneself Salvador Aguirre (Mexico)
A Way of Being Kobi Vogman (Israel)
Eyes Tom Law (USA)
Broken Face Alain Fournier (Canada)
The Open Window Lucila Las Heras (Argentina)
Dji: Death Fails Dmitri Voloshin (Moldova)
Sissy Siri Rutlin Harildstad (Norway)
La-gar-to Miguel Jiron (USA)
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SHORT films
FINDING MY WAY JANUARY 30, FRIDAY AT 1:30PM JANUARY 31, SATURDAY AT 7PM FEBRUARY 1, SUNDAY AT 11:30AM
56 min
These live action films tell the stories of kids who are learning how to spread their wings. Along the way, they have adventures, test their courage and make decisions they have to stick with. Join them, and you’ll wander a city’s unfamiliar streets, leap past your birthday, turn a hospital room into luxurious digs and even help the moon get back to the sky! Ages 8+ Notes for parents: One film has a single instance of mild coarse language. In another film, a child accidentally takes a few sips of rice wine. Cancer Unit Cribs Ibrahim El-Salaam (USA)
The Girl and the Gondola Abbe Robinson (Italy/UK)
Little Moon Lost Jennifer Treuting (USA)
Only Gilt Lara Del Arte (Australia)
The Dive Delphine Le Courtois (France)
Sprout Ga-eun Yoon (Korea)
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SHORT FILMS
INDIGENOUS EXPERIENCE JANUARY 30, FRIDAY AT 5PM JANUARY 31, SATURDAY AT 5:30PM
67 min
Explore the joys and challenges of Native youth in this collection of award-winning documentaries and animated films. Soar with an eagle boy in Norway, meet a deaf boy who listens to his inner voice, dance a forest back to life and outwit the wily Amautalik! Ages 9+ Traditional Healing Raymond Caplin (Canada)
Eagle Boy Gry Elisabeth Mortensen (Norway
The Amautalik Neil Christopher (Canada)
Hummingbird (Huitzilopochtli) Tracy Rector/Longhouse Media (USA)
The Orphan and the Polar Bear Neil Christopher (Canada) “O” SuperFly 2013, Group 5/Longhouse Media Erik and the Mystery Pack Erik Papatie (Canada) The Hearing Russell Ratt-Brascoupe (Canada)
The Snoqualmie Falls SuperFly 2014, Group 1/Longhouse Media (USA)
Co-presented with
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SHORT films
EARTH SKY AND SEA JANUARY 25, SUNDAY AT 5:30PM JANUARY 30, FRIDAY AT 11:30AM
80 min
These films make use of environmental themes in unexpected and provocative ways. You will meet a lightbulb who is jealous of the sun, a little octopus who moonlights as a lounge singer, bees who have parties and a brave boy who gathers firewood alone. Along the way, you’ll learn about the world’s oceans, our water and energy supply and threats to animals and insects. Ages 9+ Notes for parents: One film contains some scary moments, though it has a happy ending. Another has a mild expletive—grandpas are hard to censor! Papa Cloudy’s Restaurant Akiko McQuerrey (USA)
Ain’t No Fish Tom Gasek and Miki Cash (USA/UK)
Shadow Reef Elke Specker (USA)
Part of the Cycle Tess Martin (USA)
Lighta Andrej Gregorčok (Slovakia)
Firewood, Kanta, & Grandpa Takeshi Yashiro (Japan)
The Colors for Leo Zarah Knebel (Spain)
Hope? Simone Giampaolo (UK)
Vigia Marcel Barelli (Switzerland/France)
The Wild World of Pesticides Clyde Petersen (USA)
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SHORT FILMS
WAVE OF WONDER JANUARY 29, THURSDAY AT 5PM JANUARY 31, SATURDAY AT 1PM
65 min
This collection of films will 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 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. Ages 9+ Notes for 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. A Lifestory Nacho Rodriguez (Spain)
Bear Story Gabriel Osorio Vargas (Chile)
The Song for Rain Yawen Zheng (China)
The Dam Keeper Dice Tsutsumi and Robert Kondo (USA)
The Little Cousteau Jakub Kouril (Czech Republic)
Gerdas Vej Jeremy Pailler (France)
SEE THE WORLD, CHANGE THE WORLD JANUARY 25, SUNDAY AT 11:30AM JANUARY 27, MONDAY AT 5PM
70 min
Grab your bag (of popcorn) and take off on a whirlwind trip to places most Seattle kids never get a chance to see. With these films, you’ll walk through a downpour in Indonesia, climb a mountain in eastern Turkey, ride a bus in Iraq and experience a whole new country for the first time. Ages 10+ Notes for parents: One film revolves around an Indonesian superstition of tossing your underwear on the roof to make the rain stop. The film also includes limited smoking. Another deals with stealing, though for a moral cause.
Galus Galus Clarissa Duque (Venezuela) Agri and the Mountain Hasan Serin (Turkey) War Canister Yahya Al-Allaq (Iraq/UK) On Stopping the Rain Aditya Ahmad (Indonesia) New Eefje Blankevoort (Netherlands) 31
SHORT films
KID POWERED JANUARY 24, SATURDAY AT 11:30AM JANUARY 30, FRIDAY AT 3:30PM
78 min
Challenges can bring out the best in us. The kids in these live action films face uphill battles that are long and steep, and they shine in the face of adversity. Meet a warrior child who must embrace her unique identity, a boy who becomes a superhero to his friend and a girl who faces loneliness and danger in order to get an education. Ages 11+ Notes for parents: Issues in this meaty but very inspirational program include gender identification, domestic violence (which is discussed but does not happen on camera), divorce and oppression of girls and women. Limited coarse language and smoking in one film. A Place in the Middle Dean Hamer (USA)
Layla’s Melody Jens Pedersen (Denmark)
The Amber Amulet Matthew Moore (Australia)
Hear This! Soulaima El Khaldi (Netherlands)
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BUILD • DESIGN • CREATE
Explore the fundamentals of video game programming, fine arts and animation, game design, and engineering with DigiPen’s ProjectFUN youth programs in Redmond, WA. Learn about our K-12 programs at: projectfun.digipen.edu or facebook.com/projectfun
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special events For the first time ever in 2015, we will be hosting off-site screenings and events during the festival, in collaboration with the Rainier Valley Cultural Center! See the festival website for details about dates and screening programs.
PANCAKE BREAKFAST AND SHORT FILM SMORGASBORD JANUARY 31, SATURDAY AT 9:30AM Includes breakfast, free all-day parking, and a full film program!
120 min (Screenings at 10:30 & 11:00am)
Our all-you-can-eat breakfast of fluffy homemade pancakes and sizzling bacon is fun for the whole family! And of course we’ll have gallons of hot coffee on hand for the grownups. After breakfast, come to Northwest Film Forum for a special screening of Fantastic Journeys (see page 21), a magical program of new animated and live action shorts from 8 countries. All ages Please note: This event is held at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption, located at 1804 13th Avenue. Parking in the church lot is included with your ticket.
Special ticket pricing: $15 general admission/ $55 per family of four. Please note you must choose a screening time in advance when purchasing Pancake Breakfast tickets.
Sponsored by
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CLOSING CEREMONY FEBRUARY 7, SATURDAY AT 5PM
75 min
We close out the 2015 festival by screening films made during the past week in our workshops, announcing the winners of our Children’s Jury Prizes and Seattle Children’s Hospital Juries, and celebrating with a surprise selection of outstanding short films made by international filmmakers. Ages 8+
CHILDREN’S JURY
SATELLITE JURY MEMBERS
Kids are always VIPs and decisionmakers at the festival: we celebrate the talents and contributions of young people by hosting our annual Children’s Jury again in 2015.
In 2015, we’re proud to join forces for a third year with Seattle Children’s Hospital for a patient-led children’s jury (responsible for awarding prizes to festival short films), with hospital jury prizes awarded on festival closing night.
Local children ages 8–13 participate in a week-long selection committee, viewing a full slate of films in competition and awarding official festival prizes.
Post-festival, we host animation workshops in hospital wards for in-patients. Many thanks to Cathy Sarkowsky and the Herman and Faye Sarkowsky Foundation for making this work possible.
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Feature films
information LOCATION 12TH AVENUE
1515 12TH AVE. SEATTLE, WA 98122 206.329.2629
PIKE ST.
PINE ST.
Most festival events are held at Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Avenue between Pike and Pine on Seattle’s Capitol Hill. The Pancake Breakfast is held at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption (1804 13th Avenue).
TICKETS Admission to most festival programs is $6 for Film Forum members, $8 for children under 12 and seniors, and $11 general admission. There is special pricing for Opening Night, the Pajama Party and the Pancake Breakfast. Festival passes are also available—see website for details at childrensfilmfestivalseattle.org. Tickets may be purchased by phone at 1.800.838.3006, online at childrensfilmfestivalseattle.org or in-person at the Film Forum box office, which opens 30 minutes before the first daily show time. Advance ticket purchase is highly encouraged, as many shows sell out in advance.
GETTING HERE The Film Forum is located within 1/2 mile of the #2, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 43, 49, 60 and 84 Metro bus routes. We recommend Seattle Central College’s Harvard Garage at 1609 Harvard Avenue (at E. Pine Street), which is open and available 24/7. An affordable pay parking lot is also available 3 blocks from the Film Forum, at the Greek Orthodox Church at 13th and Howell (please note this lot may be closed for special events). Free street parking is available Monday-Saturday after 8pm and all day on Sundays.
ACCESSIBILITY The entrance, cinemas and restrooms of Northwest Film Forum are fully wheelchair accessible; please email us at house@nwfilmforum.org with any questions about access.
LOCAL DISCOUNTS Thank you to our local business neighbors on Capitol Hill, who are offering week-long family deals and discounts for festival ticket holders. Check the festival website for details at childrensfilmfestivalseattle.org.
ABOUT US Northwest Film Forum is Seattle’s most comprehensive film arts organization, screening over 200 independently made and classic films annually, offering a year-round schedule of filmmaking classes (including summer camps for kids) and supporting filmmakers at all stages of their careers. Visit us online at nwfilmforum.org. 36
information
NORTHWEST FILM FORUM STAFF
FESTIVAL SUPPORT
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Lyall Bush
FESTIVAL ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Katie Pappageorge
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Matt Cunningham
FESTIVAL PROGRAMMING ASSISTANTS Austin Sveilis and Maritza Chavez
HOUSE MANAGER Christopher Day BUSINESS MANAGER David Falcon Ayala EDUCATION MANAGER Craig Downing
SEATTLE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL LIAISON Brittany Alsot
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Line Sandsmark
WORKSHOP INSTRUCTORS Linda Fenstermaker, Bill Jarcho, DigiPen students and staff, Jonah Kozlowski, Maristella Bonomo, Thomas Heinemann
PROGRAM DIRECTOR Courtney Sheehan
FESTIVAL REGISTRAR Paul Siple
YOUTH PROGRAMS DIRECTOR Liz Shepherd VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR Adam Chimeo
CHILDREN’S JURY COORDINATOR Amber Adams and Stephen Fisher
MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR Grace Stetson
FESTIVAL PROGRAM ADVISOR Renate Zylla
MARKETING MANAGER AND DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE Molly Michal
HOSPITALITY SUPPORT Barbara Curran
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS PRODUCING SPONSOR
MAJOR IN-KIND SUPPORT
MEDIA SPONSORS
Cathy Sarkowsky The Herman and Faye Sarkowsky Foundation SUPPORTING SPONSOR
ART DIRECTION
MAJOR ANNUAL SUPPORT
The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts 37
classes Don’t just watch great films during the festival—make your own! Festival classes will get you fired up to find out more about the collaborative, magical art of filmmaking. Student films will screen at the Festival’s Closing Ceremony on February 7 at 5pm. Classes must be registered for in advance, online at nwfilmforum.org, or by phone, weekdays 10am – 6pm, at 206.329.2629.
JANUARY 10, 12PM-4PM ANIMATION JAM with Bill Jarcho Ages 8+
Tuition: $50 per person Make weird clay critters then learn to animate them, and make a wacky, clayanimated intro to the closing night of the festival.
JANUARY 17, 1PM-5PM SUPER FUN 8MM WORKSHOP! with Linda Fenstermaker Ages 10-14
Tuition: $55 per person Want to explore the fascinating world of film frames, and work hands-on to make moving images? This course is an exciting opportunity for kids to learn the steps of analog filmmaking, from pre-production to actual shooting with Super 8mm film, learning about light metering, lens exposures, framing and shooting techniques.
JANUARY 24, 12PM-4PM FAMILY LORE with Jonah Kozlowski Ages 8 to 12, and parents or grandparents
Tuition: $40 per person Every family has a story they tell about themselves. This lore evolves from stories that get retold around the dinner table and at holidays and reunions. In this workshop, participants will learn filmmaking techniques while being encouraged to explore and share their own unique family lore. We'll learn how to record these stories using a DSLR camera, and edit them on Final Cut Pro X.
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JANUARY 25, 12PM-3PM EXPLORE VIRTUAL PUPPETRY AND CG ANIMATION with DigiPen A free drop-in tour for ages 7+
Ever wanted to get a glimpse of the magic behind CG animation? Drop in at DigiPen's free afternoon session to see examples of how technology is being blended with traditional art and digital puppeteering.
JANUARY 31, 12PM-2:30PM SCENE STUDY with Thomas Heinemman For young actors, ages 10-15
Tuition: $60, which includes a pass to three festival films Meet a festival VIP — Thomas Heinemman, the German director of the feature film Lola on the Pea! Thomas will lead young actors in theater games and scene study work.
INFORMATION FOR EDUCATORS We invite educators, schools and other groups to join us for special weekday screenings of festival films. These are excellent field trip opportunities! We offer group screenings in January and February—tickets for groups of 20 or more are only $5 per person. See the festival website for schedule and educator information at childrensfilmfestivalseattle.org, under the section “for groups.”
SUMMER FILMMAKING FOR KIDS AND TEENS Every summer, Northwest Film Forum offers filmmaking camps for children and teens to get hands-on with the art and craft of filmmaking. Camps for ages 7 - 18 are taught by experienced local filmmakers, and offer the chance for budding directors, editors and DPs to get practical experience with professional-level filmmaking gear and software, and let creativity run wild.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS THURSDAY, JANUARY 22
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28
7pm Steamboat Bill, Jr. ��������������������������������������������� 5
7pm Shana: The Wolf’s Music ��������������������������� 13
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23
THURSDAY, JANUARY 29
7pm Pajama Party with ��������������������������������������������� 5 Caspar Babypants
5pm Wave of Wonder ������������������������������������������ 31
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30
SATURDAY, JANUARY 24
No Seattle public school this day!
11:00am Snuggle Time �������������������������������������������� 18
11am Party Animals ����������������������������������������������� 19
11:00am Fantastic Journeys ���������������������������������� 21 (at Rainier Valley Cultural Center)
11:30am Earth Sky Sea ��������������������������������������� 30
11:30am Kid Powered ���������������������������������������������� 32 12pm Workshop: Family Lore ������������������������������� 38 1pm Abracadabra ����������������������������������������������������� 20 1:30pm Clara and the Secret ������������������������������� 12 of the Bears 3pm Labyrinthus ��������������������������������������������������������� 9 3:30pm Family Matters ����������������������������������������� 24 5pm The Finishers ����������������������������������������������������� 15 5:30pm Be Different ����������������������������������������������� 26 7pm On the Way to School ����������������������������������� 10 7pm Shivers and Scares ����������������������������������������� 27
SUNDAY, JANUARY 25 11am Party Animals ��������������������������������������������������� 19 11:30am See the World ���������������������������������������������� 31 Change the World 12pm Drop-in Tour: Explore �������������������������������������� 38 Puppetry and Animation with DigiPen 1pm Free Your Mind ������������������������������������������������� 22 1:30pm Be Different ������������������������������������������������ 26 3pm Selkirk: The Real Robinson Crusoe ���������������� 8 3:30pm Fabulous Fables ��������������������������������������� 25 5pm Havana Curveball �������������������������������������������� 14 5:30pm Earth Sky and Sea ����������������������������������� 30 7pm Super Shenanigans: Films by Youth ���������������� 17 7pm The Outlaw League ���������������������������������������� 12
1pm Abracadabra ������������������������������������������������� 20 1:30pm Finding My Way ������������������������������������ 28 3pm High Tech Hijinks ����������������������������������������� 23 3:30pm Kid Powered ������������������������������������������� 32 5pm Indigenous Experience ������������������������������ 29 7pm Bubble Bubble Meows and ������������������������ 7 the Meteor Stomachache
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31 9:30am Pancake Breakfast ������������������������������� 34 10:30am Fantastic Journeys ����������������������������� 21 11am Fantastic Journeys ������������������������������������ 21 12pm Workshop: Scene Study with ������������ 39 Thomas Heinemann 1pm Wave of Wonder ������������������������������������������� 31 1:30pm High Tech Hijinks ����������������������������������� 23 3pm Sally’s Way ����������������������������������������������������� 10 3:30pm Bubble Bubble Meows and ����������������� 7 the Meteor Stomachache 5pm Lola on the Pea ��������������������������������������������� 11 5:30pm Indigenous Experience ���������������������� 29 7pm Shana: The Wolf’s Music ��������������������������� 13 7pm Finding My Way ������������������������������������������ 28
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1 11am Pim and Pom: The Great Adventure ������ 8 11:30am Finding My Way ����������������������������������� 28
MONDAY, JANUARY 26 7pm Havana Curveball �������������������������������������������� 14
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7 1pm Fantastic Journeys ��������������������������������������� 21
TUESDAY, JANUARY 27
1:30pm Family Matters ��������������������������������������� 24
5pm See the World Change the World �������������� 31
3pm Fabulous Fables ������������������������������������������� 25 3:30pm Free Your Mind �������������������������������������� 22 5pm Closing Ceremony ��������������������������������������� 35
childrensfilmfestivalseattle.org