It was with some mild trepidation that I took all three of my kids to the Children's Film Festival screening of ‘All Creatures Great and Small' by myself.
But, do you know what? Thanks to the CFF, it was easy. They are relaxed and ready for kids. They expect harried parents to rush in at the very last second. They expect to see crying kids being bounced in the lobby during the movies. And because they get it, it is easy as a parent, to relax and enjoy the shows. And I did.
All Creatures Great and Small is a collection of 16 short films that together run for 61 minutes. Three of the films in this series are subtitled. Many of the films don't have any words in them, but all of the films are very easy for kids to follow. There is no intermission, but the time flies by with the short shorts. This particular series is perfect for ages 3 and up.
I loved ‘Big Box Singsong John' about a leprechaun that wasn't a leprechaun. My daughter was mesmerized by ‘The Children's Tree,' about a little girl that grows a swing and a tree with the help of a butterfly. My older son laughed out loud at ‘Boo & Baa Have Company,' a story about two sheep trying to help a cat out of a tree. And my younger son didn't make a peep for 55 minutes, which is a huge compliment for the filmmakers
The Children's Film Festival screenings take place at the Northwest Film Forum on Capitol Hill. They have two theaters that show films simultaneously, but they stagger the start times, to keep the small lobby from overflowing. For those organized parents that arrive early, there are a few toys and a large chess set in the foyer. Popcorn, drinks and candy are available for purchase at the ticket counter and food may be taken into the theaters.
125 films from 29 countries will be running for 10 days right here in our own back yard. Don't miss the 6th year of this thrilling, amazing, heartwarming, laugh- producing festival.
IF YOU GO:
Where: Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave, between Pike and Pine. Metered street parking and nearby pay parking lots are available. Be sure to allot enough time to circle the block for a while. It is Cap Hill, after all.
When and Cost: January 28-February 6. $6.50 for kids, $9 for adults and $6 for Northwest Film Forum members.
Contact: www.childrensfilmfestivalseattle.org or 800-838-3006
Erika Lee Bigelow is the "Going Places" editor of Seattle's Child and the mother of three.
