Editor’s Note: The Children’s Film Festival schedule for Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 2, is now re-scheduled to Saturday, Feb. 8, so that people can watch the big game. Five film programs in total will change their screening date; visit this link for an updated schedule.
The Northwest Film Forum is offering its ninth year of Children’s Film Festival Seattle, the largest and most respected film festival on the West Coast dedicated to children and their families. Week two of the festival is full of the best and brightest in international cinema for kids ages 3 to 14.
The 11-day extravaganza includes more than 130 films from 32 countries, with live performances, animation, features, short films and hands-on filmmaking workshops, all crafted to appeal to the next generation of movie lovers.
Seattle’s Child has the inside scoop on what not to miss during the second week of the festival. To view the full line-up of films, visit the Northwest Film Forum website.
Pancake Breakfast and Short Film Smorgasbord
Saturday, Feb. 1, 9:30 a.m. (screenings at 10:30 and 11 a.m.)
Enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast of fluffy homemade pancakes and sizzling bacon for the whole family (note: this event is held at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption). After breakfast, head over to Northwest Film Forum for a special screening of Talk to the Animals, a magical program of new animated shorts from 10 countries about critters that soar, leap and race through life.
Age recommendation: All ages.
Cost: $15 general admission, $55 per family of four. You must choose a screening time in advance when purchasing Pancake Breakfast tickets.
Run time: The film is 65 minutes.
More info: https://childrensfilmfestivalseattle.nwfilmforum.org.
My Avatar Horse
Saturday, Feb. 1, 7 p.m.
Not only is this film a west coast premiere, but film producer Lei Zha will be in attendance! A Mongolian boy named Husile and his white horse Chagan are inseparable. One day, Husile meets three wise men who come from afar in search of the legendary avatar horse. They are convinced that Chagan is the one they are looking for. Husile’s father dismisses the story as just a child’s tale, and decides to move his family to the city and sell Chagan. In order to keep him, Husile and his friends must launch an ingenious and adventurous rescue operation.
Age recommendation: Everyone ages 7 and older.
Cost: $11, $8 senior/child/student, $6 for members.
Run time: 95 minutes.
More info: https://childrensfilmfestivalseattle.nwfilmforum.org.
Paint Me a Story
Friday, Jan. 31, 1 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 1, 5 p.m.
Exquisite art meets incredible storytelling in this international collection of animation. You’ll sail the high seas, travel the world, fly to the moon and spy with your little eyes a world of wonders in this program of award-winning shorts. Three films – in German, Russian and Korean – have subtitles.
I Spy with My Little Eye
Age recommendation: Good for all ages, but best for kids ages 5 and older.
Cost: $11, $8 senior/child/student, $6 for members.
Run time: 71 minutes.
More info: https://childrensfilmfestivalseattle.nwfilmforum.org.
Take Wing
Sunday, Feb. 2, 11 a.m.
Fly away to a wonderland of international animation created for the festival’s youngest moviegoers! These short films are full of eye-popping color, catchy tunes and sweet stories that will take parents and kids to the moon and back. One Russian film has subtitles.
Papa Cloudy
Age recommendation: Everyone ages 3 and older.
Cost: $11, $8 senior/child/student, $6 for members.
Run time: 65 minutes.
More info: https://childrensfilmfestivalseattle.nwfilmforum.org.
Earthwise
Saturday, Feb. 2, 11:30 a.m.
These nine animated and one live action films have been assembled to remind us that our planet is a beautiful place, filled with magnificent creatures and fragile ecosystems, and that its fate hangs in the balance. Let’s change the future! Films in Spanish, Mandarin and French have subtitles. One film has a sad ending, but all are meant to instill a renewed awe for the earth.
My Forest
Age recommendation: Everyone ages 8 and older.
Cost: $11, $8 senior/child/student, $6 for members.
Time length: 65 minutes.
More info: https://childrensfilmfestivalseattle.nwfilmforum.org.
