3
Mar/11

NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL 2011

3
Mar/11

Japanese director Koji Masumari’s animated WELCOME TO THE SPACESHOW is one of the many movies that will transport kids to other worlds at New York International Children’s Film Festival

Multiple venues in Manhattan
March 4-27, $12-$15
All Access Pass: $250
www.gkids.com

Founded in 1991, the New York International Children’s Film Festival presents cinematic programming for children all year long, anchored by what is now a nearly monthlong festival of films for children ages three to eighteen. Held at Symphony Space, the Cantor Film Center, Asia Society, the Directors Guild of America Theater, the IFC Center, and the Scholastic Theater, the 2011 festival begins on March 4 with the world premiere of Simon Wells’s animated 3D picture Mars Needs Women, based on the book by Berkeley Breathed. The nine feature works in competition range from Gagnol/Felicioli’s A Cat in Paris (France) to Taika Waitit’s Boy (New Zealand), from Alex Law’s Echoes of the Rainbow (Hong Kong) to Ben Stassen’s Sammy’s Adventures: The Secret Passage (Belgium), from Yasuhiro Yoshiura’s Time of Eve (Japan) to Chen Deming’s The Dreams of Jinsha (China), a potent mix of poignant family drama, futuristic animation, and playful adventure from all around the globe. Among the six programs of short films are Shorts for Tots, Flicker Lounge: For Teens & Adults Only…, Heebie Jeebies: Spooky, Freaky & Bizarre…, and Girls’ POV, with all participating works eligible for Oscar consideration. The juried fest has an esteemed panel of judges, including Adam Gopnik, Matthew Modine, Michel Ocelot, Susan Sarandon, James Schamus, Uma Thurman, John Turturro, Christine Vachon, and Gus Van Sant. The festival will host two interactive workshops, “Music & Sound for Film” and “Green Screen,” while the panel discussion “Breaking into the Boys Club: Girls Behind the Camera” will examine women in film, as will special screenings of Christian Laurence’s Aurelie Laflamme’s Diary (Canada) and Arne Birkenstock’s Chandani: The Daughter of the Elephant Whisperer (Sri Lanka). Many of the screenings will be followed by Q&As, and all films are recommended for specific ages so parents can choose the ones most appropriate for their little ones. The festival runs March 4-27, but be sure to check out the official website for other events taking place throughout the year. Programs will sell out, so act quickly.