DISCOUNT ADMISSION FOR YEAR-ROUND SCREENINGS AT IFC!
USE FOR YOUR FAMILY, YOUR FRIENDS, OR GIVE AS GIFTS!
$80 10-pass is valid for 10 adult or child admissions to NYICFF year-round screenings at IFC Center. (Regular admission is $13 adult and $9 child.)

DISCOUNT ADMISSION FOR YEAR-ROUND SCREENINGS AT IFC!
USE FOR YOUR FAMILY, YOUR FRIENDS, OR GIVE AS GIFTS!
$80 10-pass is valid for 10 adult or child admissions to NYICFF year-round screenings at IFC Center. (Regular admission is $13 adult and $9 child.)

Present the NYICFF 10-pass at the IFC Center box office to receive tickets for any regular NYICFF year-round screening at The IFC Center, space permitting. May be used for advance ticket purchase or day of show purchase. May be used for 10 people going to one show, one person going to 10 shows, or any combination in between. Possession of a 10-pass doesn't guarantee admiision to a sold out show. Valid one year from date of purchase. Not redeemable during the annual March Festival.

"A magical adventure unlike anything we've seen before."- USA Today
"Critics Pick! Extraordinary!" - AO Scott, New York Times
"Four Stars! Ravishing! Magical! Glorious!” - Kenneth Turan, LA Times
"One of the most beautiful works of animation ever!" - NY Press

Magic, fantasy, and Celtic mythology come together in a riot of color and detail that dazzle the eyes, in a sweeping story about the power of imagination and faith to carry humanity through dark times. Young Brendan lives in a remote medieval outpost under siege from barbarian raids. But a new life of adventure beckons when a celebrated master illuminator arrives from foreign lands carrying an ancient but unfinished book, brimming with secret wisdom and powers. To help complete the magical book, Brendan has to overcome his deepest fears and venture into the enchanted forest where mythical creatures hide. It is here that he meets the fairy Aisling, a mysterious young wolf-girl, who helps him fulfill his dangerous quest.

Comment: Viking attacks and mythic monsters may be scary for younger children.

"A magical adventure unlike anything we've seen before."- USA Today
"Critics Pick! Extraordinary!" - AO Scott, New York Times
"Four Stars! Ravishing! Magical! Glorious!” - Kenneth Turan, LA Times
"One of the most beautiful works of animation ever!" - NY Press

Magic, fantasy, and Celtic mythology come together in a riot of color and detail that dazzle the eyes, in a sweeping story about the power of imagination and faith to carry humanity through dark times. Young Brendan lives in a remote medieval outpost under siege from barbarian raids. But a new life of adventure beckons when a celebrated master illuminator arrives from foreign lands carrying an ancient but unfinished book, brimming with secret wisdom and powers. To help complete the magical book, Brendan has to overcome his deepest fears and venture into the enchanted forest where mythical creatures hide. It is here that he meets the fairy Aisling, a mysterious young wolf-girl, who helps him fulfill his dangerous quest.

Comment: Viking attacks and mythic monsters may be scary for younger children.

Michel Ocelot's shimmering masterpiece is a fairytale-like adventure set within a landscape of incomparable brilliance and beauty. "The most beautiful film of 2009! It's hard to imagine a more transporting cinematic experience!" - Roger Ebert. "Five Stars! Absolutely Gorgeous!" Time Out New York

Azur & Asmar is the story of two boys raised as brothers. Blonde, blue-eyed, white-skinned Azur and black-haired, brown-eyed, dark-skinned Asmar are lovingly cared for by Asmar's gentle mother, who tells them magical stories of her faraway homeland and of the beautiful, imprisoned Djinn Fairy waiting to be set free. Years later, as a young adult, Azur remains haunted by memories of the sunny land of his nanny, and sets sail south across the high seas to find the country of his dreams.

"Mesmerizing! Dazzling! A Feast for the Eyes!" Seattle Times

"Impossibly Gorgeous! The year’s most beautiful animated film!" Salon

"Sheer Dazzlement! Cinema whose every frame could be hung on an art gallery wall!" Financial Times.

Michel Ocelot's shimmering masterpiece is a fairytale-like adventure set within a landscape of incomparable brilliance and beauty. "The most beautiful film of 2009! It's hard to imagine a more transporting cinematic experience!" - Roger Ebert. "Five Stars! Absolutely Gorgeous!" Time Out New York

Azur & Asmar is the story of two boys raised as brothers. Blonde, blue-eyed, white-skinned Azur and black-haired, brown-eyed, dark-skinned Asmar are lovingly cared for by Asmar's gentle mother, who tells them magical stories of her faraway homeland and of the beautiful, imprisoned Djinn Fairy waiting to be set free. Years later, as a young adult, Azur remains haunted by memories of the sunny land of his nanny, and sets sail south across the high seas to find the country of his dreams.

"Mesmerizing! Dazzling! A Feast for the Eyes!" Seattle Times

"Impossibly Gorgeous! The year’s most beautiful animated film!" Salon

"Sheer Dazzlement! Cinema whose every frame could be hung on an art gallery wall!" Financial Times.

ENCORE SCREENING OF NYICFF 2010 OPENING NIGHT FILM!
“Spectacular! Visionary! Mind-Bending! Staggering!” - Variety. Don’t miss the scintillating new feature from Mamoru Hosoda, a film whose “dazzling fluency of motion and untethered brilliance of invention makes the usual fantasy anime look childish and dull!" - Japan Times

ENCORE SCREENING OF NYICFF 2010 OPENING NIGHT FILM!
“Spectacular! Visionary! Mind-Bending! Staggering!” - Variety. Don’t miss the scintillating new feature from Mamoru Hosoda, a film whose “dazzling fluency of motion and untethered brilliance of invention makes the usual fantasy anime look childish and dull!" - Japan Times

Kenji is a teenage math prodigy recruited by his secret crush Natsuki for the ultimate summer job – passing himself off as Natsuki’s boyfriend for four days during her grandmother’s 90th birthday celebration. But when Kenji solves a 2,056 digit math riddle sent to his cell phone, he unwittingly breaches the security barricade protecting Oz, a globe-spanning virtual world where millions of people and governments interact through their avatars, handling everything from online shopping and traffic control to national defense and nuclear launch codes. Now a malicious AI program called the Love Machine is hijacking Oz accounts, growing exponentially more powerful and sowing chaos and destruction in its wake.

This “intriguingly intelligent” cyberpunk/sci-fi story is a visual tour-de-force, with the amazing world of Oz as the highlight. Like the Internet as conceived by pop artist Haruki Murakami, Oz is a hallucinatory pixel parade of cool avatar designs, kung fu jackrabbits, toothy bears, and a bursting rainbow of colors.

Comment: Film contains animated violence and some mild language.

For ages 3 to 8, Kid Flix Mix is an upbeat, eye-opening, and highly entertaining mix of animated and musical shorts from around the world. Lineup features audience favorites from the past two festivals including Lost and Found, Hedgehug, Aston's Stones, Mermaid, Booo, and more.

For ages 3 to 8, Kid Flix Mix is an upbeat, eye-opening, and highly entertaining mix of animated and musical shorts from around the world. Lineup features audience favorites from the past two festivals including Lost and Found, Hedgehug, Aston's Stones, Mermaid, Booo, and more.

From award winning director Santosh Sivan, Tahaan is a stunningly shot, fable-like story set in scenic but strife-ridden Kashmir. The conflict is used as backdrop for the story of an eight-year-old boy, Tahaan, who tries to gain back his beloved pet donkey that has been sold to pay the family debt.

From award winning director Santosh Sivan, Tahaan is a stunningly shot, fable-like story set in scenic but strife-ridden Kashmir. The conflict is used as backdrop for the story of an eight-year-old boy, Tahaan, who tries to gain back his beloved pet donkey that has been sold to pay the family debt.

With his father missing in action for three years, Tahaan lives with his older sister, his loving, parable telling grandfather, and mute mother, but is left more or less on his own to wander village and countryside, navigate border checkpoints, and negotiate with merchants and money lenders in an effort to regain his lost pet.

More than a war movie, this is a film about striving, finding life-purpose and, finally, of right and wrong — as Tahaan is recruited by a young militant to throw a grenade into an army compound, building up to a heart-thumping (but thankfully non-tragic) final scene. Like Sivan’s earlier films, Tahaan is told with warmth, humor and simple honesty, while gorgeous cinematography offers breathtaking views of Kashmir’s snow-covered mountain passes and shimmering lakes, and a recurring encounter with a group of mystic Sufi singers provides a compellingly exotic musical bed.

IT'S A BOOK! IT'S A FILM! IT'S WESTON WOODS!
Beloved children’s picture books come to life in this beautiful selection of animated shorts based on stories from Maurice Sendak, William Steig and more! Free Weston Woods DVDs for the first families in line!

The program includes films directed by Weston Wood’s legendary Gene Deitch, Michael Sporn and others and with narration by Carole King, Chevy Chase, Jake Gyllenhaal, and James Earl Jones, to name just a few.

IT'S A BOOK! IT'S A FILM! IT'S WESTON WOODS!
Beloved children’s picture books come to life in this beautiful selection of animated shorts based on stories from Maurice Sendak, William Steig and more! Free Weston Woods DVDs for the first families in line!

The program includes films directed by Weston Wood’s legendary Gene Deitch, Michael Sporn and others and with narration by Carole King, Chevy Chase, Jake Gyllenhaal, and James Earl Jones, to name just a few.

The full lineup:

Officer Buckle and Gloria
Peggy Rathmann, narrated by John Lithgow

Pete’s A Pizza
William Steig, narrated by Chevy Chase

Pierre
Maurice Sendak, narrated and songs by Carole King

The Man Who Walked Between Towers
Mordicai Gerstein, narrated by Jake Gyllenhaal

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears
Verna Aardema, narrated by James Earl Jones

Knuffle Bunny
Mo Willems, narrated by Mo and Trixie Willems

The Emperor’s New Clothes
Nadine Bernard Westcott, narrated by Rex Robbins

SPECIAL 3-D EVENT, WITH ANIMAL STARS & HOLLYWOOD TRAINER!
MEET "KITTY GALORE" and "DIGGS" IN PERSON! - First East Coast screening! On-stage Q&A with animal stars and Hollywood trainer! Photo-ops with the animals! Gifts for all attendees! Proceeds benefit ASPCA.

SPECIAL 3-D EVENT, WITH ANIMAL STARS & HOLLYWOOD TRAINER!
MEET "KITTY GALORE" and "DIGGS" IN PERSON! - First East Coast screening! On-stage Q&A with animal stars and Hollywood trainer! Photo-ops with the animals! Gifts for all attendees! Proceeds benefit ASPCA.

Meet Hollywood animal wranglers, Mark Harden (Pirates of the Caribbean, Stuart Little) and Tracy Kelly (Underdog, The Parent Trap), animal stars “Mesa” the hairless Egyptian Sphinx cat who plays the villain “Kitty Galore,” and "Rowdy” the German Shepherd who plays the lead character “Diggs”. There will be opportunities to take photos with the animals, and both trainers and animals will be on-stage following the screening for a Q&A.

All attendeed will receive gift bags with cat & dog masks, activity books, and other goodies.

In the eternal battle between cats and dogs, one crazed feline has just taken things a paw too far. Kitty Galore (Bette Midler), a former elite agent for spy organization MEOWS, has gone rogue. In 48 hours, she plans to unleash a diabolical device designed to not only bring her canine enemies to heel but take down her former kitty comrades and make the world her scratching post. Faced with this immediate and unprecedented threat, cats and dogs will be forced to work together for the first time in history in an unlikely alliance to save themselves - and their beloved humans - from global cat-astrophe. It’s time for the fur to fly.

The 3-D film blends live action, puppetry, and computer animation with all-star cast including Christina Applegate, Nick Nolte, Neil Patrick Harris, Jack McBrayer, and more.

Rated PG for animal action and humor.

FIRST EAST COAST SCREENING – ONE SHOW ONLY!
FREE POSTERS AND MIYAZAKI DVDS TO THE FIRST FAMILIES IN LINE!
The newest release from famed Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away, Ponyo) is the first feature directed by Hayao Miyazaki’s son, Goro Miyazaki, and is based on the fantasy book series by Ursula K. Le Guin.

FIRST EAST COAST SCREENING – ONE SHOW ONLY!
FREE POSTERS AND MIYAZAKI DVDS TO THE FIRST FAMILIES IN LINE!
The newest release from famed Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away, Ponyo) is the first feature directed by Hayao Miyazaki’s son, Goro Miyazaki, and is based on the fantasy book series by Ursula K. Le Guin.

The film is set in a medieval world of castles and dragons, a world that has been thrown into chaos by an imbalance of magical forces and is being overtaken by a dark sorcerer on a quest to attain immortality. Meanwhile, troubled young Prince Arren is pursued by demons of his own, until he falls in with the master wizard Sparrowhawk and young Therru – another in a long line of strong-willed Miyazaki female protagonists – and together they set out to defeat the sorcerer and restore balance to Earthsea. Featuring voices of Timothy Dalton, Mariska Hargitay, and Willem Dafoe as the demonic Cob, a goth villain of indeterminate gender, who comes across as the evil lovechild of Morticia and Stardust-era Bowie.

Comment: Rated PG-13, film contains animated violence and bloodshed.

The stop-motion antics of Cowboy, Indian and Horse have become an international cult sensation! "Transcendent Silliness!"- NY Magazine. "One of the single greatest creations in all of human history! Absurd, juvenile and gut-bustingly funny!”- Ain't it Cool News. "Absolutely Brilliant!"- Hollywood Reporter.

FREE DVDS AND POSTERS FOR ALL FAMILIES (WHILE SUPPLIES LAST)!

When Cowboy and Indian order 50 bricks off the Internet to build a homemade barbeque for Horse’s birthday, they accidentally order 50 million instead. Whoops! This sets off a perilously wacky chain of events as the trio travel to the center of the earth, trek across frozen tundra, fall into the clutches of an evil giant penguin-robot tank, and discover a parallel underwater universe of pointy-headed (and dishonest!) sea creatures. Will they ever escape and return their lovely home again? Will they ever get rid of all the bricks? And will Horse succeed in finally wooing the lovely equine piano teacher, Madame Longray?

The stop-motion antics of Cowboy, Indian and Horse have become an international cult sensation! "Transcendent Silliness!"- NY Magazine. "One of the single greatest creations in all of human history! Absurd, juvenile and gut-bustingly funny!”- Ain't it Cool News. "Absolutely Brilliant!"- Hollywood Reporter.

FREE DVDS AND POSTERS FOR ALL FAMILIES (WHILE SUPPLIES LAST)!

When Cowboy and Indian order 50 bricks off the Internet to build a homemade barbeque for Horse’s birthday, they accidentally order 50 million instead. Whoops! This sets off a perilously wacky chain of events as the trio travel to the center of the earth, trek across frozen tundra, fall into the clutches of an evil giant penguin-robot tank, and discover a parallel underwater universe of pointy-headed (and dishonest!) sea creatures. Will they ever escape and return their home again? Will they ever get rid of all the bricks? And will Horse succeed in finally wooing the lovely equine piano teacher, Madame Longray?

NYICFF SPECIAL PRE-RELEASE SCREENING & PARTY!
First screening of new CG animated film starring Freddie Highmore, Kristen Bell, Samuel Jackson, Nathan Lane, Eugene Levy, Matt Lucas, Bill Nighy, Donald Sutherland, Charlize Theron and Nicolas Cage as "Dr. Tenma".

NYICFF presents two special advance screenings of ASTRO BOY, a modern take on the iconic character created by Osamu Tezuka, whose original Astro Boy introduced the world to Japanese anime and who is considered one of the most visionary and gifted animators of all time.

NYICFF SPECIAL PRE-RELEASE SCREENING & PARTY!
First screening of new CG animated film starring Freddie Highmore, Kristen Bell, Samuel Jackson, Nathan Lane, Eugene Levy, Matt Lucas, Bill Nighy, Donald Sutherland, Charlize Theron and Nicolas Cage as "Dr. Tenma".

NYICFF presents two special advance screenings of ASTRO BOY, a modern take on the iconic character created by Osamu Tezuka, whose original Astro Boy introduced the world to Japanese anime and who is considered one of the most visionary and gifted animators of all time.

POST SCREENING Q&A WITH DIRECTOR DAVID BOWERS - BOTH DAYS!

SUNDAY 10/18 SCREENING ONLY - ASTRO BOY BLAST-OFF PARTY!
A limited number of tickets are available to the Sunday family VIP screening, which includes audience giveaways, live ASTRO BOY costume character, plus box lunch and goodie bags for all attendees!

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The futuristic world of Metro City is a gleaming island in the sky where the wealthy and powerful are waited on hand and foot by robots. There the brilliant Dr. Tenma creates Astro Boy to replace his dead son Toby, and he programs his new creation with the best of human values and endows him with extraordinary superpowers. But Astro Boy is dealt a cruel double blow when he is cast out of his grieving father's home and discovers that he is a robot and not a human boy. Unaccepted by either humans or machines, he decides to travel to the earth's surface, where he befriends a crew of orphans who accept him as part of their motley family.

The new Astro Boy is a high-octane animated adventure, taking joy in aerial acrobatics as the title character swoops and crashes through the modern floating metropolis and battles robots in the dilapidated surface world. But most importantly, the film preserves Tezuka's message that, beyond the jet-powered feet and laser-cannon arms, Astro Boy's sense of duty and willingness to sacrifice in defense of his friends and family are what truly make him human.

Presented by Summit Entertainment and Imagi Studios. The film is produced by Maryann Garger and directed by David Bowers.

NYICFF presents the First East Coast Screening of PONYO, the latest tour de force from animation master Hayao Miyazaki. Perfect for audiences of all ages, Ponyo is a return to the innocent pleasures of My Neighbor Totoro, with dazzling and entirely hand-drawn visuals...

NYICFF presents the First East Coast Screening of PONYO, the latest tour de force from animation master Hayao Miyazaki. Perfect for audiences of all ages, Ponyo is a return to the innocent pleasures of My Neighbor Totoro, with dazzling and entirely hand-drawn visuals that start simply and erupt into fluid, cascading symphonies of color. The story centers on the loving relationship between Sosuke, a five-year-old boy and a magical goldfish named Ponyo, the young daughter of a sorcerer father and a sea-goddess mother. After a chance encounter, Ponyo yearns to become a human so she can be with Sosuke. As to be expected with Miyazaki, the film is awash in pure unbridled imagination and visual wonder--but it is the tender love, humor, and devotion of Ponyo and Sosuke that form the emotional heart of the film.

In English - Featuring the voices of Matt Damon, Cate Blanchett, Liam Neeson, Tina Fey, Lily Tomlin, Noah Cyrus and Frankie Jonas.

“Wondrous! Teeming with imagination! Ponyo possesses an almost demonic childish energy and delight in form.” - Variety

“A superb work of fantasy that transcends age barriers! Strikes a deep chord of universality… a refreshing thirst-quencher that will delight children ages 3 to 100!” - The Hollywood Reporter

“There aren’t enough superlatives to adequately describe Hayao Miyazaki’s latest masterpiece, a delightfully sweet, extraordinarily imaginative children’s fantasy. Miyazaki orchestrates a riot of bright color and imagination, populating his triumphant idiosyncratic vision with a plethora of charming characters and whimsical sea creatures that appear to have sprung wholly into existence from the mind of a five-year-old with a particular fondness for pre-historical monsters. A memorable and wondrous film from a master at the peak of his game.” - Premiere

NYICFF is excited to present this special pre-release screening of MORE THAN A GAME, the real-life story of NBA superstar LeBron James and his childhood team, the "Fab Five". Beginning as fifth graders, the scrappy underdog team undertakes an emotional seven year journey...

NYICFF is excited to present this special pre-release screening of MORE THAN A GAME, the real-life story of NBA superstar LeBron James and his childhood team, the "Fab Five". Beginning as fifth graders, the scrappy underdog team undertakes an emotional seven year journey from a decrepit inner-city Akron gym to the doorstep of the national high school basketball championships. Along the way, the close-knit team is repeatedly tested-both on and off the court-as James' unprecedented talent explodes into worldwide celebrity, threatening to destroy everything the team has set out to achieve together. This emotionally charged, coming-of-age film combines one-on-one interviews with rare news footage, and never-before-seen home videos as it tells its remarkable story of friendship, commitment, and perseverance. Like Hoop Dreams, this film has wide appeal and is absolutely not just for basketball fans!!!

After the screening join the party at "More Than A Game" World Tour Nike Community Day, with kids activities, basketball drills, and an appearance by LeBron James. Free event takes place through 4pm at Pier 36 on the East River, between Montgomery and South Street.

“The Great Escape but with chickens.” Plucky hen Ginger works at Tweedy’s Chicken Farm laying eggs for the vicious Mrs. Tweedy. When egg production begins to dwindle, Mrs. Tweedy decides to turn the farm into a chicken pot-pie factory...

“The Great Escape but with chickens.” Plucky hen Ginger works at Tweedy’s Chicken Farm laying eggs for the vicious Mrs. Tweedy. When egg production begins to dwindle, Mrs. Tweedy decides to turn the farm into a chicken pot-pie factory.

Trapped behind barbed wire and fearing for their lives, the determined Ginger and her fellow pen-mates try tunnels, catapults, disguises, and all manner of deception to escape their prison camp coop and evade destruction by the monstrous pie-making machine. All appears hopeless when out of the blue a dashing rooster named Rocky lands in the farm—an aerialist fresh off of the circus circuit—and promises to teach the fawning, lovestruck hens how to fly.

Aardman DVD prizes at all screenings!

Presented on a rare 35mm print!

Oscar Winner – Best Animated Feature! Claymation’s most beloved duo bring all the fun and ingenuity of their Oscar-winning shorts to their first full-length feature film—a send-up of the Victorian Gothic horror genre, in which the absent-minded inventor Wallace accidently swaps brains with a rabbit and wreaks havoc on local vegetable gardens.

While the rabbit discovers a newfound fondness for cheese, Wallace’s attempts to keep his bunny instincts hidden from romantic interest Lady Tottingham become increasingly and hilariously strained. Of course, the loyal and longsuffering Gromit never utters a word as he rescues his master from one mishap after another—but the minute changes in his facial expressions speak volumes.

Presented on a rare 35mm print!

Oscar Winner – Best Animated Feature! Claymation’s most beloved duo bring all the fun and ingenuity of their Oscar-winning shorts to their first full-length feature film—a send-up of the Victorian Gothic horror genre, in which the absent-minded inventor Wallace accidently swaps brains with a rabbit and wreaks havoc on local vegetable gardens.

While the rabbit discovers a newfound fondness for cheese, Wallace’s attempts to keep his bunny instincts hidden from romantic interest Lady Tottingham become increasingly and hilariously strained. Of course, the loyal and longsuffering Gromit never utters a word as he rescues his master from one mishap after another—but the minute changes in his facial expressions speak volumes.

Aardman DVD prizes at all screenings!

Presented on a rare 35mm print!

AARDMAN DVD GIVEAWAYS AT ALL SCREENINGS! - This brilliant collection includes the Academy Award winning Creature Comforts, the NYICFF Grand Prize winning Humdrum and A Matter of Loaf and Death, plus Rex the Runt, Shaun the Sheep, and other mini masterpieces encompassing 25 years of creative output from Nick Park, Peter Lord, Richard Goleszowski, Peter Peake, Chris Sadler and the other claymation geniuses at Aardman Animations.

AARDMAN DVD GIVEAWAYS AT ALL SCREENINGS! - This brilliant collection includes the Academy Award winning Creature Comforts, the NYICFF Grand Prize winning Humdrum and A Matter of Loaf and Death, plus Rex the Runt, Shaun the Sheep, and other mini masterpieces encompassing 25 years of creative output from Nick Park, Peter Lord, Richard Goleszowski, Peter Peake, Chris Sadler and the other claymation geniuses at Aardman Animations.

These inspired plasticine creations embody the best of Aardman’s slyly subversive wit and expressive style, and bubble over with a warmth and humanity that only such lovingly handmade films can convey.

3RD ANNUAL BENEFIT - Paul Grimault's The King and the Mockingbird, plus French food & cocktail reception. Film subtitles will be performed live by Brooke Shields, Jeffrey Wright, Lauren Ambrose, Mario Cantone, and Scott Shepherd.

3RD ANNUAL BENEFIT - Paul Grimault's The King and the Mockingbird, plus French food & cocktail reception. Film subtitles will be performed live by Brooke Shields, Jeffrey Wright, Lauren Ambrose, Mario Cantone, and Scott Shepherd.

Join us for a special afternoon of film and food fun, with proceeds to benefit New York Int'l Children's Film Festival. Film with live performance begins promptly at 3:00pm.

LE ROI ET L'OISEAU
(THE KING AND THE MOCKINGBIRD)
Animation, France, 1980, 81 min
Don’t miss this rare special screening of Paul Grimault's gloriously imaginative animated masterwork, based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale The Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep, with subtitles performed live by NYICFF special guests. A pompous, cross-eyed ruler named King Charles V + III = VIII + VIII = XVI is in love with a painting of a shepherdess. But she has eyes for the dashing young chimney sweep in the next painting over – and so the two decide to elope, stepping out of their frames and into Grimault's endlessly inventive and bizarre castle town, where elevators are beetles attached to telescoping antennas, buildings hang like barnacles from gargantuan Roman pillars, the King gives chase in a throne-turned bumper car, and a towering blue robot watches over all.


BENEFIT TICKETS

Family (up to 4 people) - $395

Gold (up to 5 people, listed in program) - $595

Platinum (up to 6 people, listed in program, and reserved seating) - $1000

Additional Adult - $150

Additional Child - $100

Sorry, I cannot attend but I want to make a 100% tax deductible contribution. All proceeds benefit NYICFF, a 501c3 non profit organization.

BEST-OF-THE-FEST FILM SCREENING, AWARDS, AND PARTY!
Join filmmakers and special guests for the NYICFF 2010 Awards Ceremony, with awards presentations, encore screenings of the winning films, an all-ages food & cocktail reception, and gift bags for everyone!

Come find out who this year's winners are--as chosen by the NYICFF Jury and audiences throughout the festival. After the movies it's party time with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, delectable treats for kids of all ages, and an open wine and beverage bar.


NYICFF 2010 Jury:
Adam Gopnik
Frances McDormand
Lynne McVeigh
Matthew Modine
Michel Ocelot
Dana Points
Susan Sarandon
James Schamus
Evan Shapiro
Uma Thurman
John Turturro
Gus Van Sant

BEST-OF-THE-FEST FILM SCREENING, AWARDS, AND PARTY!
Join filmmakers and special guests for the NYICFF 2010 Awards Ceremony, with awards presentations, encore screenings of the winning films, an all-ages food & cocktail reception, and gift bags for everyone!

Come find out who this year's winners are--as chosen by the NYICFF Jury and audiences throughout the festival. After the movies it's party time with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, delectable treats for kids of all ages, and an open wine and beverage bar.


NYICFF 2010 Jury:
Adam Gopnik
Frances McDormand
Lynne McVeigh
Matthew Modine
Michel Ocelot
Dana Points
Susan Sarandon
James Schamus
Evan Shapiro
Uma Thurman
John Turturro
Christine Vachon
Gus Van Sant

ONE-WEEK FILMMAKING INTENSIVES - Children ages 6 to 16 collaborate with filmmakers to write, storyboard, animate, perform, shoot, and edit a short film from conception through completion. Finished films will be shown at NYICFF and on gkids.com!

ONE-WEEK FILMMAKING INTENSIVES - Children ages 6 to 16 collaborate with filmmakers to write, storyboard, animate, perform, shoot, and edit a short film from conception through completion. Finished films will be shown at NYICFF and on gkids.com!

NYICFF Film Production Workshops run Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm during the following 2010 school breaks:

FEBRUARY 15–19
Create-a-Cartoon - with Small Factory (ages 6-9) SOLD OUT
Claymation - with Children’s Museum of the Arts (ages 7-12) SOLD OUT
Film-Acting - with Take Two (ages 10-16) SOLD OUT

MARCH 29-APRIL 2
Claymation - with Children’s Museum of the Arts (ages 6-8)
Claymation - with Children’s Museum of the Arts (ages 9-13)

JUNE 14–18
Stop-Motion Animation - with London Squared (ages 7-14)

All workshops take place at Scholastic, 557 Broadway in Manhattan, and cost $550. Full scholarships are available to qualifying applicants.

NEW YORK PREMIERE - Disneynature, creators of Earth and Oceans, take us on an awe inspiring trip to the never-before-filmed landscapes of northern Tanzania's Lake Natron, where 130 degree temperatures, high salinity, and volcanic activity make it one of the most unique and inhospitable terrains on the planet.

NEW YORK PREMIERE - Disneynature, creators of Earth and Oceans, take us on an awe inspiring trip to the never-before-filmed landscapes of northern Tanzania's Lake Natron, where 130 degree temperatures, high salinity, and volcanic activity make it one of the most unique and inhospitable terrains on the planet. This remote and forgotten wilderness serves as breeding ground for the flamingo, and the exquisite grace and beauty of these crimson-winged creatures are captured in an epic and stunningly filmed adventure story.

The film opens at the kick-off of a kind of spring break for flamingos, with literally millions of the beautiful birds flocking to the salt islands of Lake Natron to take part in exotic dance rituals, form pink conga-lines, and engage in other highly stylized romantic frolicking (it turns out ALL of Africa’s lesser flamingos begin life in this two week annual get-together). Nature takes its course and it is not long before the lake is hopping with fuzzy baby flamingos, whose clumsy movements and juvenile antics are simply too cute for words. But soon the million-strong flock of parents and babes must begin a treacherous migration on foot to seek out more hospitable environs and escape encroaching dangers. Like March of the Penguins and others of the genre, the film features a small cast of predator villains. Of these, the marabou stork comes across as particularly sinister - a dinosaur Darth Vader whose inexorable slow-motion approach and massive pointed head make it seem like evil incarnate. This remarkable film, set in an extraordinary and alien “other world”, shows us that here on Earth there still remain secrets and mysteries waiting to be discovered.

Comment: Scenes of predators and harsh conditions are treated realistically and may be difficult for sensitive younger viewers.

US PREMIERE - NYICFF 2010 - In this colorfully animated film perfect for our youngest audiences, characters from classic fairytales and children’s books come alive to help a young boy learn to read. Nat has fond memories of his eccentric Aunt Eleanor reading to him from her enormous collection of storybooks, but is frustrated and embarrassed by his inability to read the books himself. So he is less than thrilled when his aunt leaves him the keys to her attic library – and he rejects the gift. But just as Nat’s parents are selling the collection to a shady antiques dealer, Nat discovers that the library is magical – the books housed in the attic are all original first editions of history’s most popular fairy tales, and the characters come to life! Now with the help of Alice in Wonderland, the Ogre, Peter Pan and others, he must get back the books and learn to read an ancient spell to keep the characters alive for future generations of children. Eleanor’s Secret is a beautifully designed, rollicking adventure in which a boy’s ability to read not only sets his imagination free, but saves the day!

US PREMIERE - NYICFF 2010 - In this colorfully animated film perfect for our youngest audiences, characters from classic fairytales and children’s books come alive to help a young boy learn to read. Nat has fond memories of his eccentric Aunt Eleanor reading to him from her enormous collection of storybooks, but is frustrated and embarrassed by his inability to read the books himself. So he is less than thrilled when his aunt leaves him the keys to her attic library – and he rejects the gift. But just as Nat’s parents are selling the collection to a shady antiques dealer, Nat discovers that the library is magical – the books housed in the attic are all original first editions of history’s most popular fairy tales, and the characters come to life! Now with the help of Alice in Wonderland, the Ogre, Peter Pan and others, he must get back the books and learn to read an ancient spell to keep the characters alive for future generations of children. Eleanor’s Secret is a beautifully designed, rollicking adventure in which a boy’s ability to read not only sets his imagination free, but saves the day!

EAST COAST PREMIERE - Q&A with Jiri Barta following Mar 14 show!
Legendary Czech stop-motion animation master Jiri Barta’s first feature in over 20 years is a diabolically inventive tale, four parts Toy Story and one part David Lynch, as a group of abandoned toys stage an ambitious rescue of their kidnapped friend. Set behind the doors of a dusty attic, an adorable doll named Buttercup lives in a steamer trunk and plays mom to a motley group of friends: the station master Teddy Bear, lumpy clay-animated ball Schubert, and the Quixotic marionette knight Sir Handsome, who attacks his enemies valiantly with a sharpened pencil. But in this enchanted world where every day is a birthday, evil is lurking, and one day a black cat appears, kidnaps the beloved Buttercup and takes her to the Land of Evil ruled by the villainous Head - a maniacal Cold War military bust who commands an army of mechanical, mustachioed cockroaches and an all-seeing spying eye. Both a spooky children’s fairy tale and Soviet-era allegory, In the Attic marks a career highpoint for Barta, who along with Jan Svankmajer and the Brothers Quay made stop-motion animation an art form, and paved the way for modern hits like The Nightmare Before Christmas, Coraline, and Fantastic Mr. Fox.

EAST COAST PREMIERE - Q&A with Jiri Barta following Mar 14 show!
Legendary Czech stop-motion animation master Jiri Barta’s first feature in over 20 years is a diabolically inventive tale, four parts Toy Story and one part David Lynch, as a group of abandoned toys stage an ambitious rescue of their kidnapped friend. Set behind the doors of a dusty attic, an adorable doll named Buttercup lives in a steamer trunk and plays mom to a motley group of friends: the station master Teddy Bear, lumpy clay-animated ball Schubert, and the Quixotic marionette knight Sir Handsome, who attacks his enemies valiantly with a sharpened pencil. But in this enchanted world where every day is a birthday, evil is lurking, and one day a black cat appears, kidnaps the beloved Buttercup and takes her to the Land of Evil ruled by the villainous Head - a maniacal Cold War military bust who commands an army of mechanical, mustachioed cockroaches and an all-seeing spying eye. Both a spooky children’s fairy tale and Soviet-era allegory, In the Attic marks a career highpoint for Barta, who along with Jan Svankmajer and the Brothers Quay made stop-motion animation an art form, and paved the way for modern hits like The Nightmare Before Christmas, Coraline, and Fantastic Mr. Fox.

US PREMIERE - Set in 1931 Germany, this gripping, beautifully executed new feature from the director of NYICFF 2008 favorite, Grave Decisions, foreshadows coming fascism through the microcosm of a school. Based on the novel by Anna Maria Joki, the film centers on Alexander, an A class student who accidentally spills ink on a book he borrowed from a friend in the B class. Taking the easy way out, Alexander destroys the evidence and denies everything. This seemingly innocent and harmless lie has devastating consequences, as it is used as the basis for a hate campaign against the B class, ultimately hinting at situations far more serious than schoolyard politics. Dreamlike, darkly atmospheric visuals straight out of the German Expressionist tradition, with gothic lighting, long, shadowy corridors, abandoned factories and dusty shops, create a fable-like feeling both timeless and foreboding in this thought-provoking and highly-engaging parable about how lies, big and small, can accumulate and create unexpected consequences.

Comment: Some non-graphic violence and a brief sexually suggestive scene.

US PREMIERE - Set in 1931 Germany, this gripping, beautifully executed new feature from the director of NYICFF 2008 favorite, Grave Decisions, foreshadows coming fascism through the microcosm of a school. Based on the novel by Anna Maria Joki, the film centers on Alexander, an A class student who accidentally spills ink on a book he borrowed from a friend in the B class. Taking the easy way out, Alexander destroys the evidence and denies everything. This seemingly innocent and harmless lie has devastating consequences, as it is used as the basis for a hate campaign against the B class, ultimately hinting at situations far more serious than schoolyard politics. Dreamlike, darkly atmospheric visuals straight out of the German Expressionist tradition, with gothic lighting, long, shadowy corridors, abandoned factories and dusty shops, create a fable-like feeling both timeless and foreboding in this thought-provoking and highly-engaging parable about how lies, big and small, can accumulate and create unexpected consequences.

Comment: Some non-graphic violence and a brief sexually suggestive scene.

US PREMIERE - This sumptuously animated film about friendship and the passing of childhood is as “splendidly colorful and beautifully illustrated as a Monet landscape” (Hollywood Reporter). Director Sunao Katabuchi worked with Hayao Miyazaki as assistant director on Kiki’s Delivery Service, and the influences show, from Mai Mai’s stunning animation and exalting focus on nature, to the film’s happy/sad nostalgia for the endless days

US PREMIERE - This sumptuously animated film about friendship and the passing of childhood is as “splendidly colorful and beautifully illustrated as a Monet landscape” (Hollywood Reporter). Director Sunao Katabuchi worked with Hayao Miyazaki as assistant director on Kiki’s Delivery Service, and the influences show, from Mai Mai’s stunning animation and exalting focus on nature, to the film’s happy/sad nostalgia for the endless days of summer and the tender portrayal of a young girl at the transition between childhood and adult.

Shinko spends her days running barefoot among the endless green wheat fields in her small country village, imagining she is playing 1,000 years ago when the area was the local capital and home to a beautiful young princess. Shinko gets a new partner for her games when she befriends Kiiko, a shy transfer student from Tokyo whose nice clothes and modern luxuries immediately set her apart from the other kids. Together, the two girls spend their afternoons daydreaming, building dams, chasing animals, and living an otherwise idyllic life – until looming adolescent responsibility and grown-up truths begin to encroach on their make-believe world of princesses and castles, and it becomes increasingly difficult to disentangle fantasy from reality.

US PREMIERE - The creators of Ghost in the Shell mix exquisitely detailed 2D backgrounds with modern 3D character designs in a dazzling animated adventure that plays like Alice’s fall through the rabbit hole into a world of topsy-turvy, anime dream-logic. When Haruka misplaces a hand-mirror that was a keepsake from her mother, she stumbles upon a portal to the subterranean world of Oblivion Island, a place where strange masked creatures gather up all the childhood trinkets humans abandon as they grow older, and attend Dream Theaters where they can watch and feel the memories locked in these forgotten objects. The land is ruled by an evil overlord, The Baron, who craves the power created by the memories locked in Haruka’s cherished hand-mirror – a power that will allow him to rise beyond his world of discards and take over the world of humans! Aided by Teo, a lowly junk collector, and Cotton, her old stuffed animal brought back to life, Haruka struggles to recapture the mirror from the Baron, and to rediscover the fleeting moments of childhood love and friendship that are among life’s most precious treasures.

US PREMIERE - The creators of Ghost in the Shell mix exquisitely detailed 2D backgrounds with modern 3D character designs in a dazzling animated adventure that plays like Alice’s fall through the rabbit hole into a world of topsy-turvy, anime dream-logic. When Haruka misplaces a hand-mirror that was a keepsake from her mother, she stumbles upon a portal to the subterranean world of Oblivion Island, a place where strange masked creatures gather up all the childhood trinkets humans abandon as they grow older, and attend Dream Theaters where they can watch and feel the memories locked in these forgotten objects. The land is ruled by an evil overlord, The Baron, who craves the power created by the memories locked in Haruka’s cherished hand-mirror – a power that will allow him to rise beyond his world of discards and take over the world of humans! Aided by Teo, a lowly junk collector, and Cotton, her old stuffed animal brought back to life, Haruka struggles to recapture the mirror from the Baron, and to rediscover the fleeting moments of childhood love and friendship that are among life’s most precious treasures.

EAST COAST PREMIERE - Sumptuous location shots of Ireland’s lush and rugged landscape and lilting Celtic soundtrack evoke enchantment in this moving story about the power of love to create miracles. Starring Aidan Quinn (Legends of the Fall) and Connie Nielsen (Gladiator).

Tomas, a frail and shy eight-year-old, has been living a solitary life in a drab orphanage, friendless and alone. Until one day a joyous burst of color comes into his world: his new mother Maire, whose smile and spirit light up the darkest room. Before he knows it, Tomas is on a boat, sailing to wind-swept Corrie Island off the coast of Ireland. There amongst the craggy cliffs and foamy, crashing waves, his mother introduces him to the little joys in life – splashing in puddles and playing with the seal pups who dot the rocky beaches – and she also shares with him the mysterious secrets of their island. The only sour note in this happy new life is his brooding father Alec, who views Tomas as a daydreaming weakling unfit for island living. But when tragedy strikes, Tomas and Alec are forced to confront one another, and Tomas embarks on a perilous journey where he will need to call on all of Maire's gifts to triumph.

EAST COAST PREMIERE - Sumptuous location shots of Ireland’s lush and rugged landscape and lilting Celtic soundtrack evoke enchantment in this moving story about the power of love to create miracles. Starring Aidan Quinn (Legends of the Fall) and Connie Nielsen (Gladiator).

Tomas, a frail and shy eight-year-old, has been living a solitary life in a drab orphanage, friendless and alone. Until one day a joyous burst of color comes into his world: his new mother Maire, whose smile and spirit light up the darkest room. Before he knows it, Tomas is on a boat, sailing to wind-swept Corrie Island off the coast of Ireland. There amongst the craggy cliffs and foamy, crashing waves, his mother introduces him to the little joys in life – splashing in puddles and playing with the seal pups who dot the rocky beaches – and she also shares with him the mysterious secrets of their island. The only sour note in this happy new life is his brooding father Alec, who views Tomas as a daydreaming weakling unfit for island living. But when tragedy strikes, Tomas and Alec are forced to confront one another, and Tomas embarks on a perilous journey where he will need to call on all of Maire's gifts to triumph.

In this wonderfully tender, autobiographical coming-of-age story, a precocious young girl made wise beyond her years from a bohemian upbringing is forced to adjust when she enters a wealthy private school. Stella’s parents run a working-class bar filled with a revolving mix of artists, vagrants and drunks - so although she is flunking out of school, she has gained an alternate education in card games, cocktail recipes and pop music. Her world-weary attitude writes off most of her classmates as impossibly dull. The one exception is her new friend Gladys, who introduces Stella to Cocteau and Balzac, and awakens in her a newfound desire to escape the dissolute home life that continually threatens to drag her down.

The film features stunning cinematography, with an ethereal light that makes even the grimy bar floors and wood-paneled hotel rooms look like beautiful postcards to a bygone era, and is backed by a superb instrumental soundtrack infused with French disco hits. But the true standout is newcomer Léora Barbara, whose multifaceted performance as the wryly philosophical Stella is both prickly and loveable, a charming outsider you want desperately to succeed.

Comment: Film includes strong language, some sexual suggestiveness, violence, and adults frequently drinking and smoking.

In this wonderfully tender, autobiographical coming-of-age story, a precocious young girl made wise beyond her years from a bohemian upbringing is forced to adjust when she enters a wealthy private school. Stella’s parents run a working-class bar filled with a revolving mix of artists, vagrants and drunks - so although she is flunking out of school, she has gained an alternate education in card games, cocktail recipes and pop music. Her world-weary attitude writes off most of her classmates as impossibly dull. The one exception is her new friend Gladys, who introduces Stella to Cocteau and Balzac, and awakens in her a newfound desire to escape the dissolute home life that continually threatens to drag her down.

The film features stunning cinematography, with an ethereal light that makes even the grimy bar floors and wood-paneled hotel rooms look like beautiful postcards to a bygone era, and is backed by a superb instrumental soundtrack infused with French disco hits. But the true standout is newcomer Léora Barbara, whose multifaceted performance as the wryly philosophical Stella is both prickly and loveable, a charming outsider you want desperately to succeed.

Comment: Film includes strong language, some sexual suggestiveness, violence, and adults frequently drinking and smoking.

NY PREMIERE - This awe-inspiring nature film follows the personal story of a single loggerhead turtle, one of hundreds of adorable, vulnerable babies born in the sands of the Florida coast, as she grows into a strong-willed adult braving the six-thousand mile journey that has been the species’ perilous ritual for

NY PREMIERE - This awe-inspiring nature film follows the personal story of a single loggerhead turtle, one of hundreds of adorable, vulnerable babies born in the sands of the Florida coast, as she grows into a strong-willed adult braving the six-thousand mile journey that has been the species’ perilous ritual for millions of years. Critically acclaimed for visually resplendent nature footage on par with Planet Earth or March of the Penguins, Turtle features sweeping aerial shots and vast, majestic underwater seascapes that help underscore the epic scope of the journey with a survival adventure as tense as any Hollywood thriller.

After narrowly escaping a legion of threatening crabs and scurrying into the waves, the young turtle is joined on her ocean adventure by a kaleidoscopic array of dolphins, stingrays, whales and other shimmering deep sea creatures as she rides the Atlantic Gulf Stream from Florida to the Arctic – with waters bathed in the green glow of the Aurora Borealis – and then south to Portugal and the coast of Africa. But on this wonder-filled journey, the turtle’s greatest foe is revealed to be not a razor-toothed shark or poisonous jellyfish, but floating bits of shiny trash, oil-slicked waters, long-line fishing, and other manmade obstacles.

THE ANIMAUTEURS: 50 YEARS OF FRENCH ANIMATION
A tantalizing collection of recent works from some of France’s most creative and influential animators. Anchoring the lineup, Sylvain Chomet’s The Old Lady and the Pigeons garnered top prizes at Annecy and BAFTA, an Oscar nomination, and paved the way for his next film, the ground breaking Triplets of Belleville. Also included are current Oscar nominated French Roast from Fabrice Joubert, the Oscar nominated Oktapodi, and additional award-winning shorts from cartoon masters Serge Elissalde, Marie Caillou, Jerome Boulbes and others.

THE ANIMAUTEURS: 50 YEARS OF FRENCH ANIMATION
A tantalizing collection of recent works from some of France’s most creative and influential animators. Anchoring the lineup, Sylvain Chomet’s The Old Lady and the Pigeons garnered top prizes at Annecy and BAFTA, an Oscar nomination, and paved the way for his next film, the ground breaking Triplets of Belleville. Also included are current Oscar nominated French Roast from Fabrice Joubert, the Oscar nominated Oktapodi, and additional award-winning shorts from cartoon masters Serge Elissalde, Marie Caillou, Jerome Boulbes and others.

The Old Lady and the Pigeons - OSCAR NOMINATED
Sylvain Chomet, 1998, 25 min

French Roast – NY PREMIERE – 2010 OSCAR NOMINATED
Fabrice Joubert, 2008, 8 min

Joseph's Snails – US PREMIERE
Sophie Roze, 2009, 12 min

Black Tea – US PREMIERE
Serge Elissalde, 2008, 5 min

Masks
Jérôme Boulbès, 2009, 7.5 min

Marika and the Wolf
Marie Calliou, 2003, 6.5 min

Oktapodi – OSCAR NOMINATED
Bocabeille/Chanioux/Delabarre/Marchand/Marmier/Mokhberi, 2007, 3 min

White Birds, Black Birds
Florence Miailhe, 2002, 4 min

A Mouse's Tail
Benjamin Renner, 2007, 4 min


Comment: Subject matter in some films may not be appropriate for audiences under age 8.

THE ANIMAUTEURS: 50 YEARS OF FRENCH ANIMATION
This psychedelic landmark in feature animation by René Laloux has become a cult classic, with its trippy sci-fi tale of humans enslaved by an alien race of super-intelligent blue giants and treated as dumb pets. When one human child escapes from his master he opens up a new world of knowledge to the humans and sparks a rebellion.

Like an ethereal cross between Planet of the Apes and Yellow Submarine, the film captures the contemporary zeitgeist with bands of scrappy humans battling their highly-evolved, meditating, gill-eared overlords through a sinuous alien landscape filled with bizarre Hieronymus Bosch plant and animal life, all painstakingly rendered in beautifully detailed crosshatch drawings. This visionary and beautiful work won the Grand Prix at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival and remains a mind-bendingly entertaining touchstone of counterculture art.

Comment: Animated nudity, including non-explicit alien “nuptial rituals”, comes across more “art museum” than titillating. Also some violence.

THE ANIMAUTEURS: 50 YEARS OF FRENCH ANIMATION
This psychedelic landmark in feature animation by René Laloux has become a cult classic, with its trippy sci-fi tale of humans enslaved by an alien race of super-intelligent blue giants and treated as dumb pets. When one human child escapes from his master he opens up a new world of knowledge to the humans and sparks a rebellion.

Like an ethereal cross between Planet of the Apes and Yellow Submarine, the film captures the contemporary zeitgeist with bands of scrappy humans battling their highly-evolved, meditating, gill-eared overlords through a sinuous alien landscape filled with bizarre Hieronymus Bosch plant and animal life, all painstakingly rendered in beautifully detailed crosshatch drawings. This visionary and beautiful work won the Grand Prix at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival and remains a mind-bendingly entertaining touchstone of counterculture art.

Comment: Animated nudity, including non-explicit alien “nuptial rituals”, comes across more “art museum” than titillating. Also some violence.

THE ANIMAUTEURS: 50 YEARS OF FRENCH ANIMATION
NYICFF is proud to present a rare screening of Jean-François Laguionie’s trance-like masterpiece, Gwen, le livre de sable, which won the Grand Jury Prize at the prestigious Annecy animation festival. Gwen is a young girl born into a tribe of desert nomads wandering in a surreal, post-apocalyptic world where enormous, broken relics from some giant past civilization rain down upon the dunes in lightening storms called the Makou, or “Terrible Thing.” When her friend is kidnapped by the Makou, Gwen leaves the tribe and sets out with a mysterious old woman on a journey through the desert to save him. Laguionie used gouache, a medium that’s a cross between watercolor and pastel, to create a breathtaking work of art that feels like a moving painting. Windswept vistas are punctuated by radiantly colorful animals and the film exudes an air of melancholy mystery that is as close to pure poetry as cinema can get.

Shown with:
MADAGASCAR, A JOURNEY DIARY - Bastien Dubois, France, 2009, 11 min

THE ANIMAUTEURS: 50 YEARS OF FRENCH ANIMATION
NYICFF is proud to present a rare screening of Jean-François Laguionie’s trance-like masterpiece, Gwen, le livre de sable, which won the Grand Jury Prize at the prestigious Annecy animation festival. Gwen is a young girl born into a tribe of desert nomads wandering in a surreal, post-apocalyptic world where enormous, broken relics from some giant past civilization rain down upon the dunes in lightening storms called the Makou, or “Terrible Thing.” When her friend is kidnapped by the Makou, Gwen leaves the tribe and sets out with a mysterious old woman on a journey through the desert to save him. Laguionie used gouache, a medium that’s a cross between watercolor and pastel, to create a breathtaking work of art that feels like a moving painting. Windswept vistas are punctuated by radiantly colorful animals and the film exudes an air of melancholy mystery that is as close to pure poetry as cinema can get.

Shown with:
MADAGASCAR, A JOURNEY DIARY - Bastien Dubois, France, 2009, 11 min

THE ANIMAUTEURS: 50 YEARS OF FRENCH ANIMATION
The first feature from Azur & Asmar creator Michel Ocelot is one of the most stunningly beautiful, poetic and entertaining films ever created for children, and ushered in a modern renaissance in French feature animation.

The film is an exquisitely animated African tale of a small boy, Kirikou, with extraordinary abilities. When he discovers that his village is cursed by Karaba, a terrifying sorceress, Kirikou sets off on an adventure to rid the village of Karaba’s curse by understanding what has made her so angry. With an original soundtrack by Youssou N’Dour, Kirikou and the Sorceress is winner of dozens of animation awards, including the Grand Prix at Annecy, and has become an absolute classic of animated cinema. NYICFF first premiered Kirikou at the 2000 festival and Michel Ocelot is currently a member of the NYICFF jury.

THE ANIMAUTEURS: 50 YEARS OF FRENCH ANIMATION
The first feature from Azur & Asmar creator Michel Ocelot is one of the most stunningly beautiful, poetic and entertaining films ever created for children, and ushered in a modern renaissance in French feature animation.

The film is an exquisitely animated African tale of a small boy, Kirikou, with extraordinary abilities. When he discovers that his village is cursed by Karaba, a terrifying sorceress, Kirikou sets off on an adventure to rid the village of Karaba’s curse by understanding what has made her so angry. With an original soundtrack by Youssou N’Dour, Kirikou and the Sorceress is winner of dozens of animation awards, including the Grand Prix at Annecy, and has become an absolute classic of animated cinema. NYICFF first premiered Kirikou at the 2000 festival and Michel Ocelot is currently a member of the NYICFF jury.

THE ANIMAUTEURS: 50 YEARS OF FRENCH ANIMATION
The award-winning first feature from director Jacques-Rémy Girerd, founder of Folimage animation studio and director of last year’s stunning Opening Night film Mia and the Migoo, is a delicate and charming tale of an old sea captain who unwittingly becomes a modern day Noah when a torrential flood washes over the planet and the animals from the local zoo escape into his floating house. But all is not peaceful aboard the comically tower-shaped houseboat, and when a code of strict vegetarianism is imposed to protect the gentler animals, their carnivorous shipmates plot mutiny. Winner of prizes at Berlin and Ottawa and showcased at over a dozen of the world's top festivals, the film took over six years to create, and was the first animated film in two decades to be made entirely in France.

THE ANIMAUTEURS: 50 YEARS OF FRENCH ANIMATION
The award-winning first feature from director Jacques-Rémy Girerd, founder of Folimage animation studio and director of last year’s stunning Opening Night film Mia and the Migoo, is a delicate and charming tale of an old sea captain who unwittingly becomes a modern day Noah when a torrential flood washes over the planet and the animals from the local zoo escape into his floating house. But all is not peaceful aboard the comically tower-shaped houseboat, and when a code of strict vegetarianism is imposed to protect the gentler animals, their carnivorous shipmates plot mutiny. Winner of prizes at Berlin and Ottawa and showcased at over a dozen of the world's top festivals, the film took over six years to create, and was the first animated film in two decades to be made entirely in France.

SHORTS IN COMPETITION: SHORTS FOR TOTS - A kaleidoscopic showcase of the best short film and animation from around the world, for ages 3-6. All audience members receive voting ballots to select the NYICFF 2010 winning films! Program includes:

SHORTS IN COMPETITION: SHORTS FOR TOTS - A kaleidoscopic showcase of the best short film and animation from around the world, for ages 3-6. All audience members receive voting ballots to select the NYICFF 2010 winning films! Program includes:

Lost and Found
UK - NY PREMIERE
Animated, Philip Hunt, 2008, 24 min
A sweet and tender tale of love and adventure, based on the award-winning book by Oliver Jeffers. A young boy finds a penguin at his doorstep and decides to return him to the South Pole in a handmade rowboat, encountering along the way a tremendous storm, indifferent oil tankers, and a giant octopus who turns out to be a friend.

Mr. Shape
Japan - WORLD PREMIERE
Animated, Motohiro Shirakawa, 2009, 3 min
There are various shapes in the world. These shapes can break, unite and change its shape, it's their own style! With a little surprise and discovery, by simple method, to make viewers feel fun!

Electric Car
USA - EAST COAST PREMIERE
Animated, Max Porter/ Ru Kuwahata, 2009, 3.5 min
This insanely catchy music video from They Might Be Giants uses mixed media animation, as an electric car rolls across the landscape and a girl and her dog welcome the world to join them on a journey into a new day.

Booo
Sweden - NY PREMIERE
Animated, Alicja Jaworski, 2009, 7 min
Bouncy little Booo wants to play with the bigger bunnies and tries his best to keep up, despite their taunts and teases. But when the older bunnies get into trouble with a scary dog, Booo gets to show them what he is made of.

Cherry on The Cake
UK - NY PREMIERE
Animated, Hyebin Lee, 2009, 7.5 min
It's Cherry's birthday and she's excited about spending it with her family. But Mom and Dad and Sister and Brother are all caught up in their own worlds, and the smaller Cherry feels, the smaller she gets. Will she disappear all together?

Animals
Sweden – US PREMIERE
Animated, Kristofer Strom, 2008, 5 min
Super cool, color-saturated blob-like creatures whack each other on the head, throb and weave to a techno vibe, against a live action urban backdrop.

Bigbox Singsong John
Canada - US PREMIERE
Animated, Warren Brown, 2009, 1 min
His name is John. He’s not a leprechaun. He just happens to think a pipe and a hat are cool.

The Happy Duckling
UK - EAST COAST PREMIERE
Animated, Gili Dolev, 2008, 9 min
In this colorful computer animated film designed to look like a pop-up book, a boy is pursued by a very persistent duck who does not realize the danger he is in.

SHORT FILMS IN COMPETITION: SHORT FILMS ONE - The best short film and animation from around the world, for ages 5-10. All audience members receive voting ballots to select the NYICFF 2010 winning films! Program includes:

SHORT FILMS IN COMPETITION: SHORT FILMS ONE - The best short film and animation from around the world, for ages 5-10. All audience members receive voting ballots to select the NYICFF 2010 winning films! Program includes:

Runaway
Canada - NY Premiere
Animated, Cordell Barker, 2009, 9 min
In this cartoon metaphor for capitalism run amok, happy passengers are having a great time on a speeding train, oblivious to the unknown fate that awaits them around the bend. The ensuing crisis leads to a class struggle that is as amusing as it is merciless.

The Bird That Could Tell Fortunes
Iran - NY PREMIERE
Live Action, Annette Mari Olsen, 2007, 28 min
Every day after school Sadjad and his friends meet at the square in front of the largest Mosque in the city to sell fortunes to passersby, proverbs of the great Persian poet Hafez picked at random from a box. Through great perseverance Sadjad saves his money and buys a beautiful green bird, who he names Bolbol and trains to pick fortunes. The bird brings him luck and wisdom, and they soon become the closest of friends.

Veeti and the Beanstalk
Finland - US PREMIERE
Animated, Live Action, Susanna Kotilainen, 2009, 13 min
Brimming with warmth, this mixed media, stop-motion film uses visual humor to tenderly convey the emotions of loss, love and hope. Veeti´s mother cries so much that their house becomes flooded and rivers of tears start to flow from the windows. Try as he might, Veeti can’t make her stop. So he decks her out in galoshes and snorkle gear and grows a magical tree to the clouds to escape the deluge.

Lebensader
Germany - US PREMIERE
Animated, Angela Steffen, 2009, 6 min
A little girl finds the whole world in a leaf.

Chicken Cowboy
USA
Animated, Stephen Neary, 2008, 6 min
Shelly the chicken wasn't looking for a fight, but he found one. Can he face his fears and stand up for himself? Multi-award winning student animation from NYU’s Stephen Neary.

The Crab that Played With the Sea
France - US Premiere
Animated, Jean-Jacques Prunes, 2008, 13 min
Before the high and far-off times, O my Best Beloved, came the time of the Very Beginnings, and that was in the days when the Eldest Magician was getting things ready. First he got the Earth ready, then he got the Sea ready, and then he told all the Animals that they could come out and play. Beautiful animation based on Rudyard Kipling’s Just So Stories.

Dahlia
USA
Experimental, Michael Langan, 2009, 3 min
A moving portrait of the bustle and permanence of a city, Dahlia juxtaposes the forms and patterns of urban life with the frenetic activity of human behavior. Or something like that. Really, it’s just fun to watch!

SHORT FILMS IN COMPETITION: SHORT FILMS TWO - The best short film and animation from around the world, for ages 8-14. All audience members receive voting ballots to select the NYICFF 2010 winning films! Program includes:

SHORT FILMS IN COMPETITION: SHORT FILMS TWO - The best short film and animation from around the world, for ages 8-14. All audience members receive voting ballots to select the NYICFF 2010 winning films! Program includes:

O'Moro
France - US PREMIERE
Animated, Christophe Calissoni, Eva Offredo, 2009, 12 min
A tall and silent policeman called The Moor has to arrest thieves, vagrants, and lovers under the orders of a petty commandant. But across the Mediterranean the warm winds of Africa beckon, and one morning at the harbor, he meets a gypsy woman who will change his destiny.

The Inflatable Grandma
Spain - US PREMIERE
Live Action, Telmo Esnal, 2009, 9 min
On a family camping trip, the kids are driving their parents crazy. Dad knows just what to do.

Mokopuna
New Zealand – US PREMIERE
Live Action, Ainsley Gardiner, 2009, 10 min
After befriending a young Maori boy at her school, Mary becomes curious about his culture. But when he turns his curiosity towards her, it soon becomes clear that Mary is not quite ready to embrace her own roots.

Pig Me(at)
Denmark - EAST COAST PREMIERE
Animated, Mette Rank Tange, Rebecca Bang Sorensen, 2009, 7 min
A pig escapes from a slaughter house and finds his way to the safety of a pet shop, but soon realizes that nobody wants to buy a pig. What is the solution? Will anybody love this loveable pig?

Feet on the Ground
France - NY PREMIERE
Animated, Franz Kirchner, 2008, 5 min
What do you do when you wake up and your whole world is turned on end?

A Film About Poo
UK – US PREMIERE
Animated, Anne Wilkins, Emily Howells, 2009, 1.3 min
This is a film about poo and the things that you should and shouldn't do.

Art
Canada - US PREMIERE
Animated, Andrea Dorfman, 2008, 2.5 min
This sweet handmade music video for Halifax indie singer/songwriter Tanya Davis is Juno soundtrack meets middle school art class, and chock full of hummable love.

The Nature of Battle
Canada – US PREMIERE
Animated, Nat Dart, 2008, 3 min
In a ruined world where mankind has brought destruction upon themselves, new hope arrives in the form of a seed.

Varmints
UK – NY PREMIERE
Animated, Marc Craste, 2008, 24 min
From Studio AKA and BAFTA-winner Marc Craste, Varmints tells the story of one small creature’s struggle to preserve a world in danger of being lost forever through recklessness and indifference. Based on the book by Helen Ward.

Comment: Subject matter in some films may not be appropriate for audiences under age 8.

SHORT FILMS IN COMPETITION: FLICKER LOUNGE - A selection of the best short film and animation from around the world, for ages 12 to adult. All audience members receive voting ballots to select the NYICFF 2010 winning films! Program includes:

SHORT FILMS IN COMPETITION: FLICKER LOUNGE - A selection of the best short film and animation from around the world, for ages 12 to adult. All audience members receive voting ballots to select the NYICFF 2010 winning films! Program includes:

Time of Eve
Japan - US PREMIERE
Animated, Yasuhiro Yoshiura, 2008, 15 min
In this impeccably drawn, pitch perfect anime, high school students Rikuo and Masaki discover the Time of Eve, a mysterious café where humans and androids are treated as equals – in direct conflict with social mores, as well as the dictates of the powerful Robot Ethics Committee.

The Little Dragon
France - NY PREMIERE
Animated, Bruno Collet, 2009, 8 min
In this kung-fu spoof, an old Bruce Lee action figure comes to life and kicks some ass, despite a deteriorating rubber body. Epic battles include a long awaited rematch with cardboard Chuck Norris. Haay-yah!

Hitchhikers Choice
Sweden/UK– NY PREMIERE
Animated, Kristofer Strom, 2008, 3 min
This tour-de-force in DIY white board animation is a music video for Swedish progressive house techno-minimalists Minilogue.

Screen Test
Germany - US PREMIERE
Animated, Steffen Schaeffler, 2009, 3.5 min
A passionate amateur auditions for the leading part in a costume drama.

My 13
France - US PREMIERE
Live Action, Rudi Rosenberg, 2007, 10 min
She loves me, she loves me not… Thirteen year-old Jonathan has a bad crush on the cutest girl in school and needs to know if she feels the same. When he sneaks into her room and steals her diary, he gets quite a bit more information than he bargained for. Rambunctious treat of a movie is fueled by a great retro 80’s soundtrack, naturalistic performances, and a neat twist of plot guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

The Lost Tribes of New York City
USA
Stop Motion, Carolyn London, Andy London, 2009, 3 min
Humorously revealing “animadoc” recalls Aardman’s Creature Comforts, as the voices of anonymous New Yorkers are brought to life with stop-motion animated pay phones, fire hydrants, suitcases, and other familiar objects.

Madagascar,A Journey Diary
France - EAST COAST PREMIERE
Animated, Bastien Dubois, 2009, 11 min
This visual travel diary uses gorgeous rotoscope animation to capture the luxuriant landscapes of Madagascar, as a Western traveler explores and observes the people, culture and customs of this foreign land.

Photograph of Jesus
UK
Documentary/Photo Montage, Laurie Hill, 2008, 7 min
A wryly hilarious photo montage, documentary-fantasy based on odd, actual requests to the Getty photo archives, such as: Can you provide a photograph of… Jesus, Jack the Ripper, a live dodo in the wild, Adolf Hitler at the 1948 Olympic Games, the Loch Ness Monster.

Star Games
UK
Experimental, Jasmin Jodry, 2008, 3 min
Tron-looking, techno-fantastic, Esther Williams, retro sci-fi rave, with fluorescent planets and zeppelin spaceships beaming up bathing-beauties in a ray of ecstasy.

The Employment
Argentina - NY PREMIERE
Animated, Santiago Bou Grasso, 2008, 6.5 min
In this highly amusing bit of social commentary, a man begins a normal workday, immersed in a world where the use of people as objects is part of everyday life.

Comment: Some films contain strong language and subject matter that may not be appropriate for audiences under 12.

SHORT FILMS IN COMPETITION: HEEBIE JEEBIES - A selection of strange and scary short films from around the world for ages 10 to adult. All audience members receive voting ballots to select the NYICFF 2010 winning films! Program includes:

SHORT FILMS IN COMPETITION: HEEBIE JEEBIES - A selection of strange and scary short films from around the world for ages 10 to adult. All audience members receive voting ballots to select the NYICFF 2010 winning films! Program includes:

Next Floor
Canada – NY PREMIERE - WINNER CANNES!
Live Action, Denis Villenueve, 2008, 12 min
During an opulent and luxurious banquet, eleven pampered guests participate in ritualistic gastronomic carnage. Winner Best Short at Cannes Film Festival.

Batmilk
Canada - US PREMIERE
Animated, Brandon Blommaert, 2008, 2 min
Cute turns creepy! As black snowflakes fall, a soul escapes ghost-like, eyes melt away, and a creature dies. But then a new pink baby falls from the sky, reattaches, and the ghoul is reborn.

Man in the Tunnel Alley
Japan - US PREMIERE
Animated, Kenji Iwaisawa, 2008, 5 min
Kenji Iwaisawa’s restless tale of robot love has been collecting international awards with its freaky-cool atmosphere and rain of stone Buddha’s. By tracing live-action film with highly-detailed line drawings, film captures a kind of yearning indifference and suspends the viewer between the real and unreal.

Mortified
UK - US PREMIERE
Live Action, Robert Nevitt, 2008, 2.5 min
A group of children playing hide and seek in an old house are stalked by the house's monstrous owner. For one of them, however, the day is about to get a whole lot worse.

The Six Dollar Fifty Man
New Zealand - EAST COAST PREMIERE - WINNER SUNDANCE!
Live Action, Mark Albiston/Louis Sutherland, 2009, 15 min
Fresh from its win at Sundance, this intense short explores what it means to be different in the ruthless jungle of the schoolyard playground. Set in 1970s New Zealand, the film follows Andy, an outcast who lives in his own warped, super-hero fantasy world, where bullies cannot harm him and he can remain faithful to his lone friend Mary. This remarkable film features a riveting performance by the young lead, whose rage and vulnerability are palpable as he breaks through his isolation to confront the real world.

Alma
Spain - NY PREMIERE
Animated, Rodrigo Blaas, 2009, 5 min
Alma, a little girl, is intrigued by a strange doll in an antique toy shop window. Fascinated, Alma decides to enter...

Atormenta
Spain - NY PREMIERE
Animated, Cesar Diaz Melendez, Isabel Herrida Carrion, 2009, 1 min
She is waiting for you. Your time is over.

Fard
France - US PREMIERE
Animated, Luis Briceno, David Alapont, 2009, 13 min
In a near future, the world seems to work in an effective and controlled way... but under the surface darkness lurks.

Muto
Italy - NY PREMIERE
Animated, Blu, 2008, 7 min
Life-size graffiti animation painted over the course of weeks on public walls in Buenos Aires.

The Terrible Thing of Alpha 9
USA
Animated, Jake Armstrong, 2009, 5 min
In this student film from New Yorker, Jake Armstrong, an interstellar bounty hunter goes out in search of a killer space monster.

Comment: Subject matter in some films may not be appropriate for audiences under age 10.

SHORT FILMS IN COMPETITION: GIRLS' POINT OF VIEW - The best new film from around the world for ages 10 to adult. All audience members receive voting ballots to select the NYICFF 2010 winning films! Program includes:

SHORT FILMS IN COMPETITION: GIRLS' POINT OF VIEW - The best new film from around the world for ages 10 to adult. All audience members receive voting ballots to select the NYICFF 2010 winning films! Program includes:

See You
Denmark – US Premiere
Live Action, Jesper Rasmussen, 2008, 34 min
When fourteen year-old Nete’s twin brother is killed in an accident, her world collapses. Months later, she begins a new school. The same day a new boy, Jonas, also arrives. To everyone else, he is just the new boy – but Nete is in deep shock at what she sees

Malban
France - US PREMIERE
Animated, Elodie Bouedec, 2008, 8 min
Breathtakingly beautiful animation has garnered this film a string of international festival prizes. A young girl is spending the holidays with her mother and brother in their beach house. One evening an unknown man arrives seeking the Island of the Birds, a place of memories and dreams.

Popcorn and Periods
Denmark - US PREMIERE
Animated, Martin Strange-Hansen, 2008, 3 min
Pinly goes to the movies with her dad and has a Most Embarrassing Experience.

My Queen
Brazil - NY PREMIERE
Live Action, Cecilia Amado, 2008, 11 min
A young girl looks forward to her big debut evening, flag-dancing in Rio de Janeiro carnival, but things don't turn out the way she imagined. A tender and lyrical portrait of first love, dreams and disillusionment.

Post It Love
UK - NY PREMIERE
Live Action, Simon Atkinson, Adam Townley, 2008, 3 min
Girl meets boy in quirky office romance. Two like minded souls, too shy to approach each other, find a new way to show their love.

Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven
Sweden - US PREMIERE
Animated, Angela Bravo, 2009, 9 min
A young girl shares her thoughts on the intangible world between life and death.

Plastic
Autralia
Animated, Live Action, Sandy Widyanata, 2008, 7 min
A young woman getting ready for a date is obsessing frantically over her appearance. In frustration, she gouges her fingers into her face and suddenly realizes that she is made of putty – she can sculpt her appearance into any shape she desires


Comment: Subject matter in some films may not be appropriate for audiences under age 10.

US PREMIERE - MEET THE FILMMAKER!
A sumptuously animated eco-adventure that pits a plucky, wild haired young heroine Mia against profit-hungry developers, with the future of life on Earth in the balance.

The gorgeous second feature from French animator Jacques-Rémy Girard is a work of art, breathtaking to behold. Figures are outlined in pencil and then bathed in rustic watercolors, for a stunning, handcrafted look with backgrounds that burst at the seams with

US PREMIERE - MEET THE FILMMAKER!
A sumptuously animated eco-adventure that pits a plucky, wild haired young heroine Mia against profit-hungry developers, with the future of life on Earth in the balance.

Created from an astounding 500,000 hand-painted frames of animation, the gorgeous second feature from French animator Jacques-Rémy Girard is a work of art, breathtaking to behold. Figures are outlined in pencil and then bathed in rustic watercolors, for a stunning, handcrafted look with backgrounds that burst at the seams with painterly detail, like a Miyazaki film painted by Van Gogh.

One night Mia has a premonition. So after saying a few words of parting at her mother's grave, she bids goodbye to her elderly aunt caretakers and, with lucky trinkets in hand, sets out on a cross-continent journey through cities, mountains and jungles to find her father, who has been trapped in a landslide at a disaster-plagued construction site on a remote tropical lake. In the middle of the lake stands the ancient, gnarled Tree of Life, watched over by stone-like forest spirits, called Migoo — innocent, almost bumbling creatures who can grow and change shape as they please, morphing from small childlike beings to petulant giants. It is the Migoo who have been sabotaging the construction to protect this sacred site — and now together with Mia, they join in a fight to find Mia's father and save the Tree from destruction.

NYICFF BENEFIT EVENT: FILM & FOOD
A cinematic and culinary extravaganza!
With exclusive US PREMIERE screening of the new WALLACE & GROMIT movie, A MATTER OF LOAF AND DEATH!

NYICFF BENEFIT EVENT: FILM & FOOD
A cinematic and culinary extravaganza!
With exclusive US PREMIERE screening of the new WALLACE & GROMIT movie, A MATTER OF LOAF AND DEATH!

Join us for an afternoon of mouth watering movies and captivating cuisine, with proceeds to benefit the festival. A one-of-a-kind NYICFF food-themed film program will be followed by a scrumptious international feast, plus auction items, activities and gifts for kids, and drinks for everyone!

SUPPORT THE WORLD'S BEST CHILDREN'S FILM FESTIVAL AT THE MOST DELICIOUS BENEFIT EVENT EVER!

Film program includes:

A Matter of Loaf and Death
UK - US PREMIERE
Animated, Nick Park, 2008, 30 min

Milk Drinking Contest
Finland - WORLD PREMIERE
Animated, Maikki Kantola, 2008, 3 min

Picnic
France – US PREMIERE
Animated, Thomas Szabo, 2006, 5 min

The Market
Croatia - US PREMIERE
Stop Motion, Ana Husman, 2006, 6 min

Cuisine
France - NY PREMIERE
Experimental, Francois Vogel, 2007, 4 min

Shikashika
Peru/USA - NY PREMIERE
Documentary, Stephen Hyde, 2008, 8 min

Western Spaghetti
USA
Animated, PES, 2008, 2 min

Azur and Asmar (spice market excerpt)
France
Animated, Michel Ocelot, 2006/2008, 6 min

All proceeds benefit NYICFF, a 501c3 non profit organization. To make a donation to NYICFF click here.

SPECIAL EVENT - MEET THE FILMMAKER!
Director Aristomenis “Meni” Tsirbas follows up his short film The Freak with a dazzling feature debut—an exquisitely animated sci-fi epic that plays like a cross between WALL-E and Star Wars. The film takes place on the beautiful planet of Terra, a richly

SPECIAL EVENT - MEET THE FILMMAKER!
Director Aristomenis “Meni” Tsirbas follows up his short film The Freak with a dazzling feature debut—an exquisitely animated sci-fi epic that plays like a cross between WALL-E and Star Wars. The film takes place on the beautiful planet of Terra, a richly imagined, flowing world where flying whales emerge from clouds and float slowly and serenely through pink-hued skies, while below, towering mushroom trees with sea-urchin tentacle roots make homes for the planet’s inhabitants. Terra is home to a race of peaceful, tadpole-like people who have seemingly evolved beyond conflict, war and greed. One day a darkness covers the sky and a fleet of terrifying ships arrive—an invasion of humans. Earth has long ago been destroyed by war and environmental devastation, and the last remaining Earthlings are isolated on a dilapidated spaceship called the Ark, desperately seeking a new planet to colonize before their oxygen runs out. So while the Terrians celebrate their Festival of Life, the humans attack and the peaceful planet is plunged into chaos. During the upheaval, a young Terrian girl Mala befriends an injured human pilot, Lt. James Stanton, and as the battle rages, the two struggle to find a solution that will allow both races to live. This Oscar-caliber film is a drop-dead gorgeous visual treat and delivers a powerful and timely message: given an "us or them" choice, the true heroes are those who seek a third way.

NY PREMIERE - "FIERCELY INTELLIGENT! EXCEPTIONAL!" - Variety
Awe inspiring, shocking and poetic, Circus School takes us behind the scenes of the Shanghai Circus School, where child acrobats are undergoing grueling training in preparation for the prestigious national acrobatic finals...

NY PREMIERE - "FIERCELY INTELLIGENT! EXCEPTIONAL!" - Variety
Awe inspiring, shocking and poetic, Circus School takes us behind the scenes of the Shanghai Circus School, where child acrobats are undergoing grueling training in preparation for the prestigious national acrobatic finals. For American audiences who watched spellbound at the precision choreography of the Beijing Olympic opening ceremonies and the near flawless grace of the young Chinese floor team, this film will be an eye-opening look at the trials and sacrifices these athletes must undergo to attain such a level of poise and perfection. Under tremendous pressure to succeed, the coaches appear to prefer threats and humiliation to encouragement, and as the filmmaker's camera takes a silent, fly-on-the-wall approach we see young performers subjected to verbal tirades and physical training so intense that it borders on torture (one coach yells so hard, he is driven to a heart attack). But then, beyond the injuries and adversity we get the triumphs: acrobatic routines of rare beauty, cheering crowds, lithe little Xu Lu flying through the air like a rocket, and 13 year old Cai Yong displaying such strength, flexibility and control that his movements appear utterly impossible. This is an amazing film; you sit in disbelief, mouth agape at the beauty and tragedy of what you are witnessing.

Comment: Film contains adult language. Some scenes of forced stretching are difficult to watch.

EAST COAST PREMIERE
This action-packed, lusciously animated adventure from France is set in a fantastic kingdom in the sky, a decaying world of floating, interconnected islands suspended in midair. Lord Hector fears the impending awakening of the World Gobbler...

EAST COAST PREMIERE
This action-packed, lusciously animated adventure from France is set in a fantastic kingdom in the sky, a decaying world of floating, interconnected islands suspended in midair. Lord Hector fears the impending awakening of the World Gobbler, a monstrous dragon who will bring apocalyptic destruction with him. Hector’s niece, the brave and adorable Zoé, dreams of being a legendary dragon-dueling knight like the kinds she reads about in her books, but all her uncle wants to do is send her off to the Crooked Teeth Convent for a safe and proper upbringing. Zoé gets her chance to escape this dull fate when two third-rate warriors show up at the castle doors. Gargantuan and kindhearted Lian-Chu (voiced by Forest Whitaker) and his wily, money-hungry partner Gwizdo seek a job that will finally pay the bills and allow them to buy the small, relaxing farm of their dreams — and because they are two of the few living warriors remaining, they are quickly drafted by Hector to destroy the World Gobbler. Zoé sneaks off to join the duo, and together they set off on the path towards the End of the World, finding new friends and plenty of danger along the way. Dragon Hunters is set apart by its heartfelt characters (Lian- Chu and Gwizdo reference Lenny and George from Of Mice and Men) and an imaginative world, filled with intricate backgrounds, unpredictable physics and exotic monsters, such as the Red Cloud, a creature formed from thousands of individual bats, and the skeletal monstrosity that is the World Gobbler himself.

NY PREMIERE
Heart of Fire is the powerful new film from the award winning director of The Story of the Weeping Camel. The story centers on ten year old Awet, who is taken from an orphanage run by Italian nuns to live with the washed up rebel father she has never met. Awet and her

NY PREMIERE
Heart of Fire is the powerful new film from the award winning director of The Story of the Weeping Camel. The story centers on ten year old Awet, who is taken from an orphanage run by Italian nuns to live with the washed up rebel father she has never met. Awet and her older sister are soon recruited, along with other children, to become soldiers for the Eritrean Liberation Front, engaged in desperate guerrilla fighting with a rival rebel group. At the rebel camp, young Awet finds a role model in the powerful and independent female guerrilla leader, Ma’azza, a charismatic revolutionary and newfound parental figure. But when the war takes a turn for the worse and the children are given rifl es and sent to fight, Awet becomes disillusioned by the hypocrisy and pointlessness she sees, and she lashes out with a pacifistic action both courageous and dangerous. Inspired by the controversial memoir by Senait G. Mehari, Heart of Fire is elevated by the expressive debut performance of Letekidan Micael as Awet, whose commanding presence conveys an undiluted sense of justice, and whose eyes never fail to reflect her chronic disappointment in the adults around her.

NOTE: Film contains realistic battle scenes, including violence and bloodshed.

Presented as part of the special series CHILDREN AND WAR.

NY PREMIERE
Hey Hey It’s Esther Blueburger vaults over coming-of-age genre conventions with a droll sense of humor that celebrates the awkwardness of youth and plays like a cross between Mean Girls and Welcome to the Dollhouse. The cast features Oscar-nominated Toni Collette (The Sixth Sense, Little Miss Sunshine) and indie darling Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider), but the true standout is newcomer Danielle Catanzariti...

NY PREMIERE
Hey Hey It’s Esther Blueburger vaults over coming-of-age genre conventions with a droll sense of humor that celebrates the awkwardness of youth and plays like a cross between Mean Girls and Welcome to the Dollhouse. The cast features Oscar-nominated Toni Collette (The Sixth Sense, Little Miss Sunshine) and indie darling Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider), but the true standout is newcomer Danielle Catanzariti, whose winning performance in the title role is as funny and sweet as it is honest. It just plain feels good to spend ninety minutes with this girl! Plagued by puberty, beset by cliques at her private school, misunderstood by her parents and facing an upcoming Bat Mitzvah that no one will show up for, Esther Blueburger sulks from home to school and back gamely enduring each day’s humiliations. Her only companion is a cute adopted duckling named Normal... until she befriends Sunni, a rebellious outcast from the local public school, and finds the freedom to experiment with more outrageous forms of behavior. Drama ensues--but one of the film’s best assets is not taking itself too seriously, and the result is an utterly charming film that will leave you smiling from ear to ear. (A hysterical early scene with Esther and her brother practicing their Hav-Torah is worth the price of admission alone.)

NOTE: Film contains some drinking and cigarette smoking, sexual references, and swearing.

US PREMIERE
The new film from director Gabor Csupo (Bridge to Terabithia) is a fantasy adventure complete with misty castles, a danger-filled forest, a magic pearl necklace, and a reluctant city-girl-turned- princess, decked out in an ever-growing collection of opulent, Victorian-era dresses. Newly orphaned Maria...

US PREMIERE
The new film from director Gabor Csupo (Bridge to Terabithia) is a fantasy adventure complete with misty castles, a danger-filled forest, a magic pearl necklace, and a reluctant city-girl-turned- princess, decked out in an ever-growing collection of opulent, Victorian-era dresses. Newly orphaned Maria Merryweather is forced to leave civilized London and live with her reclusive uncle at Moonacre Manor, the family’s remote and rundown estate in the woods. She soon discovers a secret within the walls of the large and crumbling castle. Long ago, a bitter feud between the Merryweathers and the rival De Noir family placed a curse on the land that only the young Moon Princess can undo. So Maria leaves the safety of Moonacre and enters the forbidden forest, where she comes face to face with a gang of marauding De Noir bandits - though with their black eye-liner and coordinated bowler hats, these smooth-faced young ruffians are about as menacing as an 80’s New Wave boy band. But this is a fairy tale and all is for the best, as soon the head boy-bandit and scion of the De Noir clan has switched sides, defying his father to help Maria find the magic pearls and fulfill her quest. With Dakota Blue Richards (The Golden Compass) and Tim Curry.

SPECIAL EVENT - MEET THE FILMMAKER! - "A Miracle! I am enchanted. I am swept away. I am smiling from one end of the film to the other. It brings together four entirely separate elements and combines them into a great whimsical chord!" - Roger Ebert

SPECIAL EVENT - MEET THE FILMMAKER! - "A Miracle! I am enchanted. I am swept away. I am smiling from one end of the film to the other. It brings together four entirely separate elements and combines them into a great whimsical chord!" - Roger Ebert

SITA SINGS THE BLUES
Tragedy, comedy and musical collide in this gloriously animated film from New York’s own "One Woman Pixar" (Wired). Sita is a goddess separated from her beloved Lord and husband Rama. Nina is an animator whose husband moves to India, then dumps her by email. Three bickering shadow puppets act as comic narrators as these old and new stories are interwoven in a post-modern retelling of the ancient Indian epic Ramayana, animated in a dazzling mix of traditional and collage animation styles. Sita Sings the Blues follows in the line of Triplets of Bellville and Spirited Away to exemplify animation as a "serious" art form -- which does not stop it from being laugh-out-loud funny! A panoply of monsters, gods, goddesses, warriors, sages, and winged eyeballs fill the screen with vivid color from start to finish, while the narrators’ improvisational debates over the Rama legend join the filmmaker’s own tragicomic story to layer a modern feminist commentary on the ancient tale. The result is a subtly subversive, visually stunning, highly original work that is as enjoyable for children as it is for adults.

EAST COAST PREMIERE
Son of a Lion offers a rare window into the tribal regions of Northwest Pakistan near the Afghan border, where guns are a way of life, the Taliban is accepted/tolerated, and where some believe the World Trade Center attacks were a US plot. Niaz works for his father, a former mujahedeen, making weapons in a small Pashtun

EAST COAST PREMIERE
Son of a Lion offers a rare window into the tribal regions of Northwest Pakistan near the Afghan border, where guns are a way of life, the Taliban is accepted/tolerated, and where some believe the World Trade Center attacks were a US plot. Niaz works for his father, a former mujahedeen, making weapons in a small Pashtun village. Although he is 11 years old, Niaz is illiterate and has never been to school. Taking his uncle’s advice to "learn the use of computers, not the pistol," Niaz tries to convince his fiercely traditional father of the value of a good education, but in a worldview where military exploits earn more glory than a diploma and kids play equally with kites and Kalashnikovs, this argument is a hard one to make. Like the films of Mohsen Makhmalbaf or Abbas Kiarostami, Son of a Lion uses personal family drama to comment on the current political realities in post-9/11 Islamic society. The film achieves a natural feel with beautiful cinema verite camerawork, offering a sensitive and compassionate look at a different kind of childhood.

NOTE: Film contains brief scenes of violence, a goat being slaughtered, and some mild adult language.

Presented as part of the special series CHILDREN AND WAR.

NY PREMIERE! Adolescent awkwardness, reality show excess, and a hunger for fame collide in this "delightful, irresistible crowd pleaser" (Variety). This highly entertaining documentary about the Junior Eurovision teen song competition plays more like a mockumentary...

NY PREMIERE! Adolescent awkwardness, reality show excess, and a hunger for fame collide in this "delightful, irresistible crowd pleaser" (Variety). This highly entertaining documentary about the Junior Eurovision teen song competition plays more like a mockumentary -- but is the real deal -- as kids dress up in garishly colorful outfits and belt out pop anthems for a chance at international stardom. The film follows four young singers, some rich and some poor, some woefully inexperienced and some already members of successful teenie-bopper groups, as they compete in front of swooning audiences and TV cameras to win fame and honor for their home country.

US PREMIERE - MEET THE FILMMAKERS!
This subtle, brilliantly constructed film paints a dead on,unfiltered portrait of the high-school experience and brings up an existential question for a "children's" film festival: what is film for young people, anyway? The truth is that most teenagers' actual lives would be rated R, so by this standard young people are restricted from viewing realistic depictions of their own experience. West of Pluto gives us just

US PREMIERE - MEET THE FILMMAKERS!
This subtle, brilliantly constructed film paints a dead on,unfiltered portrait of the high-school experience and brings up an existential question for a "children's" film festival: what is film for young people, anyway? The truth is that most teenagers' actual lives would be rated R, so by this standard young people are restricted from viewing realistic depictions of their own experience. West of Pluto gives us just that, and with unsurpassed emotional honesty. The film is a snapshot, a day in the life of a small cul-de-sac of suburban Quebec — a seemingly random corner of the world, where ten teens start pretentious garage bands, give class presentations, fall in and out of love, score pot, fight with parents, throw house parties that spiral out of control, and go through the quintessential experiences that make adolescence a churning mix of awkwardness, friendship, petty cruelty, and larger than life emotions. Beginning in an almost documentary style, the film builds into tense and compelling drama, with moments of exuberance, turmoil, and heart-wrenching pathos. The entire cast should receive acting awards, as the performers' mix of improvised and scripted dialogue creates an authentic and richly nuanced realism that is so natural it doesn't seem like acting at all.

NOTE: Film contains drinking, pot smoking, sexual situations, and adult language.

SHORTS FILMS ONE - The best short film and animation from around the world, for ages 5-10. All audience members get voting ballots to select the festival winners!

SHORTS FILMS ONE - The best short film and animation from around the world, for ages 5-10. All audience members get voting ballots to select the festival winners!

Madam President
USA - WORLD PREMIERE
Animated, Pete List, 2008, 10 min

Power House
Brazil - US PREMIERE
Animated, Maria Leite/Daniel Herthel, 2007, 5 min

Sooner or Later
Switzerland - US PREMIERE
Animated, Jadwiga Krystyna Kowalska, 2007, 5 min

KJFG No.5
Hungary - NY PREMIERE
Animated, Alexey Alexeev, 2008, 2 min

Hakim
Tanzania/Germany - NY PREMIERE
Live Action, Ismail Sahin, 2008, 15 min

Animacat
Switzerland - NY PREMIERE
Animated, Andreani/ Schwizgebel/Delachaux/Andreani, 2007, 6 min

Mermaid
Australia
Live Action, Matt Tomaszewski, 2007, 2 min

Cyber
Germany - US PREMIERE
Animated, Stefan Eling, 2007, 5 min

How I Passed My Childhood
Hungary – EAST COAST PREMIERE
Animated, Maria Horvath, 2007, 8 min

Good Advice
Sweden – US PREMIERE
Live Action, Andreas Tibblin, 2008, 15 min

SHORT FILMS TWO - The best short film and animation from around the world, for ages 8-14. All audience members get voting ballots to select the festival winners!

SHORT FILMS TWO - The best short film and animation from around the world, for ages 8-14. All audience members get voting ballots to select the festival winners!

Lifeline
Hungary - US PREMIERE
Animated, Tomek Ducki, 2007, 6 min

If Eyes Can't See
Mexico - US PREMIERE
Live Action, Marisol Jasso, 2007, 10 min

Don't Let It All Unravel
UK - NY PREMIERE
Animated, Sarah Cox, 2007, 2 min

Fuggy Fuggy
UK - NY PREMIERE
Animated, The Brothers McLeod, 2008, 5 min

Lapsus
Argentina – NY PREMIERE
Animation, Juan Pablo Zaramella, 2007, 3.5 min

New Boy
Ireland
Live Action, Steph Green, 2007, 11 min

Zoologic
USA - NY PREMIERE
Animated, Nicole Mitchell, 2007, 5 min

Mommy, I Love You
France - US PREMIERE
Animated, Abensur/Collet/Dell'Omodarme, 2007, 7 min

The Mystery of Pig City
United Kingdom – US PREMIERE
Animated, Garth Jones, 2006, 3 min

Post!
Germany – NY PREMIERE
Animated, Asmussen/Bruhn, 2008, 14 min

Bob
France
Animated, Jean-Pierre Poirel, 2006, 4 min

Black and White
Canada – US PREMIERE
Animated, Jon Izen, 2008, 2 min

NOTE: Some films contain language or subject matter that may not be suitable for the youngest children.

FLICKER LOUNGE - The best short film and animation from around the world, for ages 12 and up. All audience members get voting ballots to select the festival winners!

FLICKER LOUNGE - The best short film and animation from around the world, for ages 12 and up. All audience members get voting ballots to select the festival winners!

Attraction
UK - WORLD PREMIERE
Animated, Rachinta Platts, 2008, 2.5 min

It’s Sunday
France – WORLD PREMIERE
Live Action, Samir Guesmi, 2008, 30 min

A Child's Metaphysics
Japan - US PREMIERE
Animated, Koji Yamamura, 2007, 5 min

My Grandmother Beijing
Norway - US PREMIERE
Animated, Mats Grorud, 2008, 9 min

OOIOO "UMO"
Japan - NY PREMIERE
Animated, Shoji Goto, 2007, 4 min

Operator UK - NY PREMIERE
Animated, Matthew Walker, 2007, 2 min

Orgesticulanismus
Belgium - NY PREMIERE
Animated, Matthieu Labaye, 2008, 9.5 min

I Met the Walrus
Canada
Animated, Josh Raskin, 2007, 5 min

Fish Soup
Mexico - US PREMIERE
Live Action, Nuria Ibanez, 2007, 7 min

First Journey
France - NY PREMIERE
Animated, Gregoire Sivan, 2007, 10 min

NOTE: Some films in this program may contain adult language, subject matter, and sensibilities not suitable for younger children.

SPOOKY, FREAKY AND BIZARRE... strange short films from around the world for ages 10 to adult. All audience members get voting ballots to select the festival winners!

SPOOKY, FREAKY AND BIZARRE... strange short films from around the world for ages 10 to adult. All audience members get voting ballots to select the festival winners!

The Daily Round
South Korea - WORLD PREMIERE
Animated, Young Chan Jeon, 2008, 8 min

Chocolate Hare
Netherlands - US PREMIERE
Experimental, Lernert Engelberts, 2007, 2.5 min

Teaching the Alphabet
Germany - US PREMIERE
Live Action, Volker Schreiner, 2007, 3.5 min

Careful With That Axe
New Zealand - NY PREMIERE
Live Action, Jason Stutter, 2008, 2 min

Keith Reynolds Can't Make it Tonight
UK - NY PREMIERE
Animated, Felix Massie/Arthur Cox, 2007, 6 min

Lovesick
Germany/Slovenia - NY PREMIERE
Animated, Spela Cadez, 2007, 8.5 min

This Way Up
UK - ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEE
Animated, Smith/Foulkes, 2008, 9 min

Curiosity
Ireland – US PREMIERE
Animated, Lorcan Finnegan, 2007, 1 min

Evening
Portugal – US PREMIERE
Animated, Joana Toste, 2007, 3 min

Musicotherapie
France - NY PREMIERE
Animated, Amael Isnard, 2007, 6 min

Saint Feast Day
France – NY PREMIERE
Animated, Daffis/ Marchand, 2007, 16 min

Little Girl Waiting
Mexico - NY PREMIERE
Live Action, Esteban Reyes, 2007, 11 min

NOTE: Films in this program may contain language, animated violence, and subject matter not suitable for younger children (or adults for that matter--this is Heebie Jeebies!).

GIRLS' POINT OF VIEW - The best new short film and animation from around the world for ages 10 to adult. All audience members get voting ballots to select the festival winners!

GIRLS' POINT OF VIEW - The best new short film and animation from around the world for ages 10 to adult. All audience members get voting ballots to select the festival winners!

The Yellow Envelope
Belgium - US PREMIERE
Animated, Delphine Hermans, 2008, 9 min

A Stranger in Her Own City
Yemen - NY PREMIERE
Documentary, Khadija Al-Salami, 2008, 12 min

Lucy: A Period Piece
USA - NY PREMIERE
Live Action, Julie Sagalowsky, 2008, 13 min

Bua
Ireland - NY PREMIERE
Live Action, Sonya Gildea, 2007, 14 min

Girls Room
USA - NY PREMIERE
Live Action, Maria Gigante, 2007, 10 min

Cunaro
Venezuela – US PREMIERE
Live Action, Alexandra Henao, 2007, 10 min

NOTE: Some films in this program may contain language, subject matter and sensibilities not suitable for younger children.

PLUS EXCERPTS FROM MIYAZAKI'S NEWEST FILM PONYO!!!
Don't miss this rare opportunity to see one of Hayao Miyazaki's most stunningly beautiful, exciting, and infrequently screened films! This epic picture has not shown in New York since the US premiere at NYICFF 2000!
Shown in glorious 35mm!! In English.

PLUS EXCERPTS FROM MIYAZAKI'S NEWEST FILM PONYO!!!
Don't miss this rare opportunity to see one of Hayao Miyazaki's most stunningly beautiful, exciting, and infrequently screened films! This epic picture has not shown in New York since the US premiere at NYICFF 2000!

Shown in glorious 35mm!! In English.

A young girl with a mysterious crystal pendant falls out of the sky and into the arms and life of young Pazu. Together they search for a floating island in the sky, site of a long-dead civilization promising enormous wealth and power to those who can unlock its secrets. Castle in the Sky is an early masterpiece of storytelling and filmmaking whose imaginative and ornately detailed vision of a decaying world in constant flux presaged Miyazaki's later films like Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away.

The English language version will be shown in 35mm print.

PLUS EXCERPTS FROM MIYAZAKI'S NEWEST FILM PONYO!!!
From legendary Hayao Miyazaki comes the beloved story of a resourceful young witch who uses her broom to create a delivery service, only to lose her gift of flight in a moment of self-doubt.

PLUS EXCERPTS FROM MIYAZAKI'S NEWEST FILM PONYO!!!
From legendary Hayao Miyazaki comes the beloved story of a resourceful young witch who uses her broom to create a delivery service, only to lose her gift of flight in a moment of self-doubt.

Don't miss this rare 35mm theatrical screening! In English.

Set in a gorgeously detailed seaside village, Kiki's Delivery Service is less about witchcraft than a beautifully timeless story of a young girl finding her own way in the world. Voiced by Kirsten Dunst as Kiki, with Phil Hartman as her black cat Jiji. Film was originally presented by NYICFF at the 1999 festival.

The English language version will be shown in 35mm print.

The hugely influential comic artist and animator Osamu Tezuka literally invented the genre of Japanese anime. Tezuka's archetypal characters and bold, highly stylized designs have reverberated with a massive pop culture impact that continues to this day. Part one of this two-part...

The hugely influential comic artist and animator Osamu Tezuka literally invented the genre of Japanese anime. Tezuka's archetypal characters and bold, highly stylized designs have reverberated with a massive pop culture impact that continues to this day. Part one of this two-part retrospective includes his best known and best loved early works (which parents of a certain age will remember from Saturday morning television).

Astro Boy
(Animation, Osamu Tezuka, 1963, Japan)
One of the most iconic animated figures of all time, Astro Boy is the adventure of a robot boy who, although a product of technology himself, sets out to combat those who would exploit technology for evil.

Kimba the White Lion
(Animation, Osamu Tezuka, 1967, Japan)
A plucky lion cub with a cute lioness girlfriend... his father is killed and he must take over as king... but first he must vie for power with his evil usurping uncle who is supported by a band of hyena lackeys. Sound familiar? Well, it’s not Simba, it’s Kimba – the original 1966 lion king. A free set of tickets for the first person to sing the Kimba TV theme song on the festival answering machine...

Part two of our retrospective includes three of Tezuka's most beautiful and imaginative films. Tales of a Street Corner and Legend of the Forest come from opposite ends of his career, yet both use classical music as the backdrop for epic battles of good and evil, while the third film Jumping...

Part two of our retrospective includes three of Tezuka's most beautiful and imaginative films. Tales of a Street Corner and Legend of the Forest come from opposite ends of his career, yet both use classical music as the backdrop for epic battles of good and evil, while the third film Jumping offers a humorously wry commentary the state of the world.

Legend of the Forest
(Animation, Osamu Tezuka, Japan, 1987, 29 min)
In his career-capping masterpiece Legend of the Forest, Tezuka traces the stylistical evolution of animation from 19th-century etchings, through Disney and Fleischer, the UPA style of Mr. Magoo, all the way to contemporary anime, in a Fantasia-like tale of forest faeries, sprites, wizards, and animals defending themselves against greedy industrialists bent on destroying nature.

Tales of the Street Corner
(Animation, Osamu Tezuka, Japan, 1962, 39 min)
A girl who has lost her teddy bear and a family of Leo Lionni-esque mice inhabit this otherwise empty streetscape with walls plastered in posters. But the posters come to life, and their characters tell the story of an era -- and of a descent from playful optimism to war as the images of art and advertising are covered over with the face of a fascist dictator.

Jumping
(Animation, Osamu Tezuka, Japan, 1984, 6 min)
In this highly entertaining short, we take the point of view of a bouncing ball, whose ever higher bounds land us farther and farther afield, and give us a series of two-second snapshots of the human condition.

Comment: Films contain brief shots of animated breasts as well as a couple of racially insensitive poster images.

Key Animation by Hayao Miyazaki
A decade before he became renowned for animated masterworks like Castle in the Sky, Nausicaa, and My Neighbor Totoro, and eventually won the Oscar for Spirited Away, a young Hayao Miyazaki was lead animator...

Key Animation by Hayao Miyazaki
A decade before he became renowned for animated masterworks like Castle in the Sky, Nausicaa, and My Neighbor Totoro, and eventually won the Oscar for Spirited Away, a young Hayao Miyazaki was lead animator for Toei Studios. His Animal Treasure Island is an anime adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic adventure about a young boy who discovers a treasure map and goes toe to toe with the double-crossing, pegged-leg pirate Long John Silver. In this version Long John Silver is a cat, the pirates are all animals, and the young boy is joined by a tough-girl companion on a high seas adventure through imaginative worlds made even more fantastic by Miyazaki's boldly simple but beautiful style. The English language dub is reminiscent of 70's Hong Kong kung fu flick, but that somehow enhances the retro feel of the picture.

The weather outside is frightful, but these shorts are so delightful!
Experience all of the splendor and magnificence of winter without the chattering teeth and frostbitten fingers. Grab your friends, your family, and your hot cocoa and come curl up in front of the big screen...

The weather outside is frightful, but these shorts are so delightful!
Experience all of the splendor and magnificence of winter without the chattering teeth and frostbitten fingers. Grab your friends, your family, and your hot cocoa and come curl up in front of the big screen as the New York Int’l Children’s Film Festival presents three beautiful animated short films celebrating snow, ice and all of winter’s exciting wonders!

The program includes:

LEON IN WINTERTIME
Animation, Canada, Pierre-Luc Granjon and Pascal Le Notre, 2007, 27 min
Winter has descended on the kingdom and a mountain ogre has kidnapped beautiful Molly Gingerbread, the king’s daughter. Meanwhile, Leon, a young bear adopted by a family of beekeepers, runs away from home, falls in love with the princess, and lands himself in all kinds of unexpected and perilous adventures.

SPOT & SPLODGE IN SNOWSTORM
Animation, Sweden, Uzi Geffenblad and Lotta Geffenblad, 2008, 7.5 min
It snows outside and Spot and Splodge run about building a snowman, having a snowball fight, and making snow angels. All of a sudden the wind is strong, the snow sticks all over their bodies, there isn’t a spot of Spot to be seen! And where is Splodge? Where’s the house?

CHOO-CHA
Animation, Russia, Garry Bardin, 1997, 25 min
A young boy is ignored by his parents and the other adults at a festive holiday gathering, and there are no other children to play with. So after concocting some minor mischief for the grownups, the boy retreats upstairs to the attic, where he rummages through odds and ends to create a special playmate for himself.

NYICFF is very excited to present this rarely screened gem from Japan’s famed Studio Ghibli (Ponyo, Spirited Away) by Ghibli co-head and master animator Isao Takahata. The forests are filled with groups of magical tanuki, mischievous raccoon-like animals from Japanese folklore that...

NYICFF is very excited to present this rarely screened gem from Japan’s famed Studio Ghibli (Ponyo, Spirited Away) by Ghibli co-head and master animator Isao Takahata. The forests are filled with groups of magical tanuki, mischievous raccoon-like animals from Japanese folklore that are capable of shape-shifting from their standard raccoon form to practically any object. They spend their idle days playing in the hillsides and squabbling over food, until the construction of a huge new Tokyo suburb clears the nearby forest and threatens to destroy their way of life. In an effort to defend their home, the tanuki learn to transform into humans and start playing tricks to make the workers think the construction site is haunted – ending in a spectacular night-time spirit parade, with thousands of ghosts, dragons and spirit creatures descending on the city.

Audiences will revel in Ghibli’s trademark brilliant animation, with its humorous and wondrously inventive characters and sumptuous hand-painted backgrounds given loving attention to detail. But what makes Pom Poko special is the depth of emotional expression – a joyous, playful comedy containing a heartfelt plea to stop human destruction lest the Earth’s animals, spirits, and magic become things of the past.

Comment: Some of the ghost creatures and action sequences may be frightening for youngest children.

NYICFF presents a rare engagement of Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award®-winning masterpiece, Spirited Away, the biggest box office hit of all time in Japan and a film that helped redefine the possibilities of animation for American audiences and a generation of new filmmakers.

NYICFF presents a rare engagement of Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award®-winning masterpiece, Spirited Away, the biggest box office hit of all time in Japan and a film that helped redefine the possibilities of animation for American audiences and a generation of new filmmakers.

“Prepare to be astonished” – LA Times

“Epic and marvelous! Phantasmagoric!” – NY Times

“One of the year’s best films!” – Roger Ebert

“Astounding! It's almost impossible to do justice in words either to the visual richness of the movie or to the character-filled storyline. – Variety

Wandering through an abandoned carnival site, ten-year-old Chichiro is separated from her parents and stumbles into a dream-like, spirit world where she is put to work in a bathhouse for the gods, a place where all kinds of nonhuman beings come to refresh, relax and recharge. Here she encounters a vast menagerie of impossibly inventive characters -- shape-shifting phantoms and spirits, some friendly some less so -- and must find the inner strength to outsmart her captors and return to her family. Combining Japanese mythology with Through the Looking Glass-type whimsy, Spirited Away cemented Miyazaki’s reputation as an icon of inspired animation and wondrous, lyrical storytelling. An absolutely remarkable film!

Comment: Some of the characters may be scary for younger children.

From the producer of Triplets of Belleville, NY Int'l Children's Film Festival presents an animated fable about family, belonging, and survival, set in the windswept snowfields of the Arctic north. When a mother polar bear’s cub dies, her mate steals a newborn human boy to be their son and...

From the producer of Triplets of Belleville, NY Int'l Children's Film Festival presents an animated fable about family, belonging, and survival, set in the windswept snowfields of the Arctic north. When a mother polar bear’s cub dies, her mate steals a newborn human boy to be their son and the new child helps to soothe her grief. The mother bear loves the child more with each passing day, while the boy grows up as wild and free as the strongest bear. But the boy’s father, a proud Inuit hunter, works relentlessly to track and retrieve his young son, and when they are finally reunited, Little Bear is faced with the impossible choice of leading a normal hunter’s life with his biological parents, or siding with the wild family who raised him.

Winner of multiple film festivals, The Boy Who Wanted To Be a Bear has received critical raves for its animated portrait of the Arctic, with soft watercolor backdrops of starry skies and enormous ice shelves mingling with Inuit imagery to reveal the beauty and harshness of an unforgiving terrain.

Comment: This film contains an emotional scene of the death of the mother bear, which includes animated blood.

In a post apocalyptic world overrun by flesh-eating zombies gorging on crass commercialism and brain dead mass media, one festival stands alone as a beacon of hope and salvation. Join in an epic struggle against the forces of decay and darkness, as our brave protagonist kicks zombie bootie to save everyone’s favorite film festival for kids.

In a post apocalyptic world overrun by flesh-eating zombies gorging on crass commercialism and brain dead mass media, one festival stands alone as a beacon of hope and salvation. Join in an epic struggle against the forces of decay and darkness, as our brave protagonist kicks zombie bootie to save everyone’s favorite film festival for kids.

This immersive interactive experience lets the audience participate fully in the zombie bashing fun! So put on your slime shields and 3D glasses, get your checkbooks and credit cards ready, and click through to help New York Int'l Children's Film Festival stop New York City from become a cultural wasteland of the undead!

To read NYICFF's zombie script and annual appeal letter, click here.