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Feature films JanUARY 22 - FebRUARY 710th BIRTHDAY PARTY EDITION

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about the festivalOver the past decade, Children’s Film Festival

Seattle has become the largest and most

respected competitive film festival on the West

Coast dedicated to young people and their families.

Northwest Film Forum’s 12-day annual

extravaganza celebrates the best and brightest

international cinema for children, and features

live performances, animation, features, shorts and

filmmaking workshops, all crafted with care for

the next generation of adventurous movie lovers.

OPENING WEEKEND

FEATURE FILMS

SHORTS

SPECIAL EVENTS

INFORMATION

CLASSES

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IT’S A KID’S FILM FESTIVAL!

Don your party hat and get ready to pin the filmstrip on the projector—this is our 10th Birthday Party edition of Children’s Film Festival Seattle!

And my, how we’ve grown! Double-digits is a big deal: in the past decade, our one-of-a-kind celluloid ride around the globe has become the largest international festival of its kind on the West Coast—a celebration of movies that are inspiring, magical, and definitely not available on Netflix. This year, we’ll show you an astounding 175+ films from 58 countries and boast a mind-blowing mélange of live performances, animation, features, shorts, meet-and-greets with filmmakers and hands-on workshops.

Opening weekend includes our traditional pajama party, when Seattle “kindie” bigshot Caspar Babypants will rock us into this year’s fest. Come dressed to dance in your most comfy PJs or favorite furry critter costume. As the festival unspools, we’ll also offer our traditional pancake breakfast and other fun events including a birthday cake walk.

Our lineup of award-winning new features come from Seattle, both Americas, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. We’ll also travel back to the dawn of cinema to see one of the best family films ever made, Buster Keaton’s Steamboat Bill, Jr., with a new live score performed by Seattle music duo, Miles and Karina.

More short film programs than ever before will offer something to everyone aged 2 - 15, from gentle animation for our youngest viewers to meaty docs about important issues for older kids. We’ll also give kids a chance to make their own silver screen dreams come to life, with an expanded slate of workshops taking place the whole month of January.

It’s a kid’s film festival—a time when children step behind the screen to learn how films are made and talented filmmakers tell stories that surprise, delight and enlighten audiences. You’ll sail the high seas, travel the globe, fly to the moon and spy with your little eyes a multitude of wonders. From the beginning, we’ve believed that kids can only change the world if they see the world. We hope this festival opens their eyes.

Liz Shepherd Festival Director

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opening weekend

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opening weekend events

Don’t miss the boat to the start of Children’s Film Festival Seattle 2015 — it’s one of the most beloved family films ever made! Steamboat Bill, Jr., Keaton’s most farcical and funny feature, tells the story of an accident-prone and bookish son, who must help his burly, redneck steamboat captain father save his business from a rival tycoon. In the process, Keaton performs mind-bending stunts and thrilling physical comedy. Northwest Film Forum has commissioned Seattle musicians and composers Miles & Karina (Dave Keenan and Nova Devonie) to compose and perform a new musical score for the film; expect guitar, violin, accordion, banjo, and other instruments. All ages

Special ticket pricing: $10 Film Forum members / $12 general admission / $38 per family of four

JANUARY 22, THURSDAY AT 7PM

STEAMBOAT BILL, JR. FESTIVAL OPENING

NIGHT!1928 70 minWorld Premiere Live Performance!

Calling all party animals — are you ready to dance and partake in some serious cupcake consumption? Wear your PJs and fluffy slippers, and bring your favorite stuffed animal along to see Caspar Babypants — the nationally beloved kindie-rock act of Chris Ballew, from The Presidents of the United States of America. Caspar Babypants is doing an all-animal songs show, and there will also be a sneak preview of international animation from the festival that features furry and feathered critters. Ages 3+

Special ticket pricing: $10 Film Forum members/ $12 general admission/ $38 per family of four

JANUARY 23, FRIDAY AT 7PM

Live Performance! 60 min

PAJAMA PARTY WITH CASPAR BABYPANTS

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FREE STICKERS, PLUS DOOR PRIZES!

Come see the epic adventures of a poorly drawn animated cat, Bubble Bubble Meows, as he goes on a quest to cure his friend, a string bean who has a bellyache caused by meteor consumption. Surely no cat has ever driven a baked potato car to such a fine theme song, on such kookoo beaucoup bonkers adventures! Audiences of all ages may find themselves exclaiming, “oh wowsh!” upon exiting the theater! Ages 2 to 102

Notes for parents: In English and very occasionally, Japanese, with English subtitles. This charming, DIY

Seattle-made film truly is for all ages.

Screens with: Remember (Peter Ray, USA, 2014, live action, 2 min)

Join us before the screening of Bubble Bubble Meows for a coloring book party in the Film Forum lobby!

2014

Filmmaker and voice talent in attendance! Matt Orefice, USA (animation)

BUBBLE BUBBLE MEOWS AND THE METEOR STOMACHACHE

JANUARY 30, FRIDAY AT 7PMJANUARY 31, SATURDAY AT 3:30PM

84 min

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Selkirk, an unruly, selfish pirate, is the master of an English galley sailing the South Seas in search of treasure. With his merry band of pirates (one of whom is a girl in disguise), life is one adventure after the next. But after he is abandoned on an uninhabited island, he changes his outlook on the world and learns to survive alone. His story became Daniel Defoe’s inspiration for the novel Robinson Crusoe. Ages 8+

Notes for parents: In Spanish with English subtitles. Some bad pirate behavior in this stop-action animated

film includes mild cursing and one instance of a derogatory comment about the girl, but there is also a strong female lead.

Two cats, Pim and Pom, are best friends who live together with “The Lady.” But one day, the lady’s nieces come to visit, and they take the cats to the park for a picnic. However, what they really want to do is keep Pim and Pom for themselves, and they’ve come up with a plan to “cat-nap” them! A musical, gentle (and yet) action-packed film about the power of friendship, with a stylish 1960s look that will make parents smile, too. Ages 3+

Notes for parents: In English. This is a film made for very young children, but the plot is about two lost cats

who sometimes face dangers as they try to find their way home. Some scenes might be too intense for the most

sensitive young viewers. But it won’t spoil anything to say the movie has a very happy ending!

Screens with: LAMI (Christophe and Oliver Defaye, Japan, animation, 2013, 2:30 min)

JANUARY 25, SUNDAY AT 3PM

SELKIRK, THE REAL ROBINSON CRUSOE

Walter Tournier, Argentina/Uruguay/Chile (animation)Seattle Premiere!

2012 80 min

FEBRUARY 1, SUNDAY AT 11AM

PIM & POM: THE BIG ADVENTURE

Gioia Smid, the Netherlands (animation)

2014 70 min

West Coast Premiere!

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LABYRINTHUS

Douglas Boswell, Belgium (live action)West Coast Premiere!

JANUARY 24, SATURDAY AT 3PM 2014 98 min

Frikke, a 14-year-old boy, comes across a computer game and discovers that it is being played with real kids, uploaded into the game’s labyrinth. In a race against time, Frikke tries to find the creator of this horrible game and help the kids inside it. Ages 9+

NOTES FOR PARENTS: In Dutch with English subtitles. This is a fast-paced thriller, with lots of adventure,

cliffhangers, and a real villain who might be too scary for the most sensitive young viewers. There is some minor

name-calling, coarse language, and one instance of discreet urinating in public.

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They live in all four corners of the planet and share a thirst for knowledge. Almost instinctively, they know that their survival depends on knowledge and education. From the dangerous savannahs of Kenya to the winding trails of the Atlas mountains in Morocco, from the suffocating heat of Southern India to the vast, dizzying plateaus of Patagonia, four children are all united by the same quest, the same dream: to go to school. Ages 9+

Note for parents: In French, Swahili, Maasai, and Spanish with English subtitles. This film is recommended

for ages 9+ because of subtitles and a structure that suggests a more mature attention span. However, some

younger children may also enjoy the film.

ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL

Pascal Plisson, France/China/South Africa/Brazil/Colombia (live action)

Northwest Premiere!

JANUARY 24, SATURDAY AT 7PM 2014 77 min

Sally, a 12-year-old girl orphaned by HIV/AIDS, needs to use her ingenuity to help her ailing grandmother, who is the only family she has left. Set in the lush Caribbean, the film has a universal message of how to thrive despite the odds, and face the challenges of displacement and loss with positivity and creativity. Ages 9+

Notes for parents: In English.

JANUARY 31, SATURDAY AT 3PM

SALLY’S WAY

Joanne Gail Johnson, Trinidad and Tobago (live action)

World premiere, with filmmaker in attendance!

2014 87 min

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Nine-year-old Lola lives on a charming old houseboat with her mother. But life isn’t exactly going swimmingly for her. She misses her long-gone dad, and doesn’t much care for her mom’s new boyfriend. She also has to contend with schoolmates who tease her and chase her home from school. But one day, she makes friends with the quiet new boy in town, named Rebin. Rebin’s family is secluded and mysterious, and Lola soon finds out that they are migrants who don’t have the proper documents to live and work in Germany. Together, the two friends learn to fight for what is right, stand up to bullies, and face the future with courage and hope. Ages 9+

Notes for parents: In German with English subtitles. This film tackles tough subjects, but it is also musical,

funny, and fast-paced, with believable characters and a story that will give parents and kids lots to talk about

after the show. There are a few instances of coarse language, spoken by bullies and frustrated adults, and a very

brief glimpse, seen from a distance, of non-frontal nudity.

JANUARY 31, SATURDAY AT 5PM

LOLA ON THE PEA

Thomas Heinemann, Germany (live action)

2014 90 min

West Coast premiere, with filmmaker in attendance!

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JANUARY 24, SATURDAY AT 1:30PM

Part ghost story, part story of friendship and part nature film, this is the gripping tale of a girl named Clara, who lives with her mother and her stepfather on a farm in the Swiss Alps. Clara’s connection with nature enables her to see and feel things others can’t perceive. Together with her friend and confidant Thomas, she discovers an ancient shoe, and must travel across the gulf of time to repair the rift between humans and the rest of nature. Ages 10+

NOTES FOR PARENTS: In German with English subtitles. There is tense drama, some scary scenes, a few coarse

words, a scene with guns and a happy ending.

CLARA AND THE SECRET OF THE BEARS

Tobias Ineichen, Germany/Switzerland (live action) Seattle premiere!

2013 90 min

Nicolas, the son and grandson of fishermen, lives with his mom and sister in a village overlooking the sea. A terrible storm snatched his father a few years earlier, and Nicolas must not only deal with his loss, but also the slow disintegration of his grandfather, Jérémie, who has started drinking too much to ease the pain of the death of his son. Summer vacation is the chance for Nicolas to resume his greatest pleasure: playing baseball with his friends. But a big obstacle greets the kids who assemble at the village baseball field: the town council has decided to convert the field into a municipal dump. Ages 10+

Notes for parents: In French with English subtitles. This uplifting film includes a few coarse words and

a frank depiction of an alcoholic but loving grandfather.

JANUARY 25, SUNDAY AT 7PM

THE OUTLAW LEAGUE

Jean Beaudry, Canada (live action)U.S. premiere!

2014 86 min

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Shana is a Canadian First Nations girl who is a gifted violinist. But she has problems no young person should have to face: her mother has died, and her father is struggling with his own demons. Only Shana’s new teacher seems to care about her, and at first, Shana pushes her away. But she meets another, more mystical being to accompany her on her journey: a wild wolf who helps her reconnect with her ancestors, make peace with her circumstances, and use her talents to express her passions. Ages 10+

Notes for parents: In English. This uplifting film includes a few coarse words and a frank depiction of an

alcoholic but loving parent.

Pre-screening performance on Saturday by Red Eagle Soaring, plus meet the star, Sunshine O’Donovan, and other lead cast members!

JANUARY 28, TUESDAY AT 7PMJANUARY 31, SATURDAY AT 7PM

SHANA: THE WOLF’S MUSIC 2014 96 min

Seattle premiere! Nino Jacusso, Canada/Switzerland (live action)

Co-presented with

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At 13, Mica is enthusiastic, idealistic, dreaming of baseball and studying for his Bar Mitzvah. Imagining himself a savior of sorts, he launches a grand plan to send baseballs to Cuba, a country with a mysterious pull. He knows only that Cubans are poor and love baseball, and that Cuba was the place where his grandpa received refuge during the Holocaust. On a hunch, his award-winning filmmaker parents pick up their camera. They know the U.S. embargo with Cuba will throw him a curveball. Ages 11+

Notes for parents: In English and Spanish, with English subtitles. This is a film about what happens when a

teenager discovers how difficult it can be to do a simple good deed. As might be expected, a few coarse words

are uttered during the film.

Screens with: Falling Planes (Mario Piredda, Cuba, 2012 (live action), 12 min)

JANUARY 24, SATURDAY AT 5PMJANUARY 26, MONDAY AT 7PM

HAVANA CURVEBALL 2014 60 min

Seattle premiere with filmmaker in attendance! Marcia Jarmel & Ken Schneider, USA (live action)

Co-presented with

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Julien is 17, has a great sense of humor, lots of charm, and is wheelchair-bound due to cerebral palsy. His parents love him, but the family is gradually falling apart under the strain of dealing with his disability. His mother is overprotective, and his father has become withdrawn and self-destructive. In a bid to both bond with his father and help him, Julien challenges him to participate (with him) in the Ironman race in Nice. Ages 12+

Notes to parents: In French with English subtitles. There is a very brief glimpse of nudity, seen from

a distance, as well as one coarse gesture and very limited coarse language. Julien’s dad smokes, but

gives it up halfway through the film.

THE FINISHERS

Nils Tavernier, France (live action)West Coast Premiere!

JANUARY 25, SUNDAY AT 5PM 2013 95 min

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SUPER SHENANIGANS: FILMS BY YOUTHJANUARY 25, SUNDAY AT 7PM 97 min

Join us for an extravaganza of movies (with intermission!) made by future filmmakers of the world. Includes films made at Northwest Film Forum and Coyote Central youth camps, in other Seattle youth filmmaking programs, New Jersey, East London, the United Arab Emirates and Croatia!

The Cool Stuff of Kids Jonah Kozlowski & NWFF Youth Filmmakers (USA)

The Forgotten Phone Matt Torrey, Katrina Marro, Hadley Hillel, Walker Guerra, Zoe Tokheim, Mercer Kriese, Ethan Keydel, Lilli Keydel (USA)

The SleepwalkerKatrina Marro, Azai Counts, Ryan Sommers (USA)

1st World Problems Luke Oden, Nico Williams, Miles Seinfeld, Bobby Aspiras, Jacob Lallas (USA)

RON “Trailer” Sidney Han, Lars Olt, Sam Matterlin (USA)

The Difficult Years Gabbi Robbins, Violet Majacher, Nicole DeBurle (USA)

Great Mimes Think Alike Will Slater, Michael Vitz-Wong, Kiana Wyld (USA)

Air Pressure Leo Pfeifer, Coleman Andersen (USA)

Sania Matthew Cornet (England)

Life Is Good Max Kang, Alex Ruhl (USA)

Danger Zone Sam Fillmore, Kelland Freet, Miles Seinfeld, Luke Oden (USA)

Office Ranger Bruno Borovec (Croatia)

Sinaloa Bike Insurance Connor Castro (USA)

A Climb to Die For Theo Taplitz (USA)

Copperbeard and the Legend of Pie Big Voice Media (UK)

SUPER Movie Nathanael Burns (USA)

The Day I Became a Hero Hashim M. Hussain (United Arab Emirates)

Bring It All Back Bianca Davis, Keaton Freet, Nico Williams, Lukas Civan (USA)

100 Posto Jabuka Marta Krpan, Jelena Galic, Helena Ivkovic, Domagoj Kudek (Croatia)

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SNUGGLE TIMEJANUARY 24, SATURDAY AT 11AM 54 min

Sometimes we just want to snuggle up with our favorite blanket and stuffed animal for a warm nap. Cuddle with some cute little dogs, soft teddy bears, downy birds and chicks and the Shammies, who will sing you a lullaby. Ages 2+

Notes FOR parents: One fi lm very gently depicts some of the hardships faced by a street child in India.

Peter Pix (Alarm Clock) Trine Heller Jensen (Denmark)

Pretty Crabby Charlotte Blacker (England)

The Night Song Moeen Samadi (Iran)

Shedyk Joanna Polak (Poland)

Dear November Boy Takeshi Yashiro (Japan)

How Shammies Were Getting Married

Edmunds Jansons (Latvia)

Visitor Tatiana Skorlupkina (Russia)

The Little Hedgehog Marjorie Caup (France/Belgium)

The Mitten Clementine Robach (France/Belgium)

Every Star Yawen Zheng (USA)

Counting Happiness Venetia Evripiotou (Greece/India)

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PARTY ANIMALS JANUARY 25, SUNDAY AT 11AMJANUARY 30, FRIDAY AT 11AM

62 min

A gloriously animated extravaganza of animal stories, featuring bugs, butterflies, bunnies, owls, kitties, zebra and birds of several different feathers! These stories of friendship and fun are especially recommended for our youngest festival-goers and their parents! Ages 2+

Big Bug and Little Pipsqueak Shestopalov Dmitry (Belarus)

Cherish Garden Miho Yata (Japan)

Animal Friends: A Bird Day Eva Lindström (Sweden)

Fred & Anabel Grit Wisskirchen and Nadja Rademacher (Germany)

Carrot Jam Anne Viel (France/Belgium)

BZz Luca Fattore (Denmark)

Flapper and Friends: Spring Concert Krzysztof Brzozowski (Poland)

The Collection of Peanuts Agnès Lecreux, Ben Tesseur and Steven De Beul (France/Belgium/Switzerland)

Lambs Gottfried Mentor (Germany)

Where’s the Fish Enson Huang (Taiwan)

Zebra Julia Ocker (Germany)

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ABRACADABRAJANUARY 24, SATURDAY AT 1PMJANUARY 30, FRIDAY AT 1PM

65 min

The world is full of magic in the most surprising places. Discover a seashell that can shrink buildings and pick up boats, a ring that tells you the truth about anything you see and a toy car that finds its way home to its original owner. Join us after the screening on January 24 for a special live performance of Voyage to the Moon, which combines film and dance by Version Excursion for an interactive live experience. Ages 5+

NOTES FOR PARENTS: There is joyous play with a small water pistol in one film and a very brief glimpse of a bare

bottom in another.

A Shell Maya Tiberman (Israel)

Cartoon Away Augusto Bicalho Roque (Brazil)

Eddie Allison Coon-Come (Canada)

Kalle Kran Johan Hagelbäck (Sweden)

Trampoline Maarten Koopman (Netherlands)

Mr. Toti and Magic Comb G. Handzlik & J. Baran (Poland)

Film Muffler: Thinking of the Moon Miho Yata (Japan)

Moritz Stefanie Maier (Germany)

One Man, Eight Cameras Naren Wilks (England)

Secret Decoder Ring Eli Brown (USA)

Amai the Bird of Light Fauzia Minallah ( Pakistan)

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FANTASTIC JOURNEYS

Journeys take us to new places, whether in the outside world or within ourselves. On these animated flights of fancy, you’ll scale the Alps, push the sun and the moon back into alignment, and jump into a whole ocean of lemonade. Ages 5+

*Special screening at Rainier Valley Cultural Center, 3515 S. Alaska St. Pricing: $5 kids, $7 adults. Available at door only.

NOTES FOR PARENTS: In one film chess pieces engage in a sword fight, without injury, and the combatants soon

become friends.

The Midnight Tourist Koray Kocaturk (USA)

Wombo Daniel Acht (Germany)

The Gallant Captain Katrina Mathers and Graeme Base

(Australia)

Lemonade Tale Vallo Toomla (Estonia)

Little Matryoshka Serin Inan and Tolga Yildiz (Turkey)

The Lonely Scarecrow Alen Ghazarian (Iran)

A Tin Can Tatiana Kiseleva (Russia)

Marooned Maroo Takehiro Nishikawa (USA)

Father Frismas Youri Tcherenkov (France)

80 minJANUARY 24, SATURDAY AT 11AM* JANUARY 31, SATURDAY AT 10:30AM AND 11AM FEBRUARY 7, SATURDAY AT 1PM

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FREE YOUR MIND JANUARY 25, SUNDAY AT 1PMFEBRUARY 7, SATURDAY AT 3:30PM

67 min

Have you ever felt a bolt out of the blue, a moment when your mind opens up and you see new possibilities? That’s what happens to the kids in these shorts. You’ll meet a girl who slips into a new dimension, a boy whose mind plays tricks on him, a child determined to trap a sunbeam and a boy who simply can’t sit still. Ages 6+

Notes to parents: One film shows a girl’s buoyant response to an instance of bullying. Another has some brief

bathroom humor and a bittersweet ending. And in a festival first, another film features a hungry carnivorous plant!

1-0 Saman Hosseinpuor (Kurdistan/Iran)

Land Masanobu Hiraoka (Japan)

Imagination Catheryne Chepik (Ukraine)

The Little Blonde Boy with a White Sheep Eloi Henriod (France)

LOOK! Udo Prinsen (Netherlands)

The New Species Kateřina Karhánková (Czech Republic)

Koyaa — Flower Kolja Saksida (Slovenia/Croatia/Poland)

Illusion Yoon sun Bae and Vanessa Lee (USA)

Doron Coron Yuichi Ito (Japan)

Tale of a String Karsten Kiilerich (Denmark)

Balloons Sitora Takanaev (USA)

The Light and the Little Girl Guy Pooles (USA/UK)

Sounds of Nature Simon Weber (Switzerland)

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HIGH TECH HIJINKSJANUARY 30, FRIDAY AT 3PMJANUARY 31, SATURDAY AT 1:30PM 63 min

An animated roundup for kids who love gadgets, gizmos, robots and other marvelous inventions. Dive inside a computer’s brain, roam a junkyard looking for robot parts, soar above a city made of circuit boards and find out what your phone and tablet are up to after you fall asleep! Ages 6+

Notes FOR parents: In one film a frustrated father uses a very mild expletive.

Dog-e Patrick Raats (Netherlands)

Jack Quentin Haberham (Netherlands)

Papa Natalie Labarre (USA)

Electric Soul Joni Männistö (Finland)

Finding M.E. Adriana Ariza Luque & Nelson Iván Vera Briceño (Colombia)

Bitseller Juanma Sanchez (Spain)

The Numberlys William Joyce & Brandon Oldenburg (USA)

Emilie Olivier Pesch (Luxembourg/Belgium/Netherlands)

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FAMILY MATTERSJANUARY 24, SATURDAY AT 3:30PMFEBRUARY 7, SATURDAY AT 1:30PM

70 min

When it comes to this program, there’s no place like home! Take a trip around the world to see films that show how family life is the same, and different, in seven different countries. In the end, it’s love that makes the world go round. Ages 8+

Notes for parents: In one film a clueless parent makes an awkward reference about marijuana to a teenager.

Feel free to eye-roll along with the teen! In another film there is one very brief glimpse of non-explicit nudity.

The Ride Katherine Clark (USA)

The Owlet Olga Vakhonina (Belarus)

Brother’s Day Jennifer Treuting (USA)

100 Miles Tamas Tatai (UK)

My Hero Nora Al-Subai (Qatar)

Harmony Brooks and the Case of the Missing Nucleus Whitney Clinkscales (USA)

Me and My Moulton Torill Kove (Canada)

Solo in Fog Michael Zamjatnins (Germany)

The Heart of Stromboli Tobias Deicke (Germany)

Decorations Mari Miyazawa (Japan)

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FABULOUS FABLESJANUARY 25, SUNDAY AT 3:30PMFEBRUARY 7, SATURDAY AT 3PM

67 min

This all-animated collection of folk tales, fairy tales and fables from Africa, Asia, Europe and North America will take you to places deep inside the heart of the human experience, and delve into mysteries beyond comprehension. If you like tales that stand tall, this is the program for you! Ages 8+

Notes for parents: This program is suggested for ages 8+ largely because several films are subtitled.

There are also a few mildly scary moments in a few of the films, as the heroes and heroines of the stories battle

goblins, witches, bullies and the like.

On the Origin of the Earth Joanna Polak and Daria Kopiec (Poland)

Wolf Dog Tales Bernadine Santisteven (USA)

Hansel + Gretel Soyeon Kim (USA)

Hiawatha Katherine Clark (USA)

Integrity Olanrewaju Oluwafemi and Rashidat Ayoola Oluwafemi (Nigeria)

The Magic Time Kine Aune (Norway)

Si Lunchai Hannes Rall (Germany/Singapore)

Tears of Inge Alisi Telengut (Canada)

The Secret of the Tree Moeen Samadi (Iran)

About a Man and His Devil Partner Joanna Polak and Daria Kopiec (Poland)

Jorinde and Joringel Rebecca Akoun (France/Austria)

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BE DIFFERENTJANUARY 24, SATURDAY AT 5:30PMJANUARY 25, SUNDAY AT 1:30PM

62 min

In what can seem like a cookie-cutter world, it’s great to take a look in the mirror and smile at the wonderfully unique, one-of-a-kind person that is you. These are films that celebrate that kids come in all shapes and sizes. Ages 8+

Notes for parents: This program is recommended for ages 8+ because of subtitles in a few films, but younger

children may also enjoy this program.

Notebook Babies: Someone Who Gets You Tony Dusko (USA)

Anatole’s Little Saucepan Eric Montchaud (France)

Bendik & the Monster Frank Mosvold (Norway)

Nothing Lazy Daniela Lizano (Costa Rica)

Paper Adventures Viviana Vargas (Costa Rica)

Dance Class Camilo Cogua (Colombia)

Don’t Be Curly Veronyka Jelinek (Czech Republic)

The Window Camille Müller (Switzerland)

The Boy Who Thought He Was Alright the Way He Was Tami Ravid (Netherlands)

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SHIVERS AND SCARES JANUARY 24, SATURDAY AT 7PM 65 min

Settle down into your seat and we’ll tell you a spellbinding tale of what lurks in the dark corners of the house at night, or at the bottom of the deepest sea. Along the way you’ll also watch funny stories about the mishaps of the grim reaper and the power of imagination. Ages 8+

Notes for parents: Two of the films have very brief instances of coarse language. And this is a program for

kids who like chills and thrills, so expect intense imagery!

Inside Oneself Salvador Aguirre (Mexico)

Eyes Tom Law (USA)

The Open Window Lucila Las Heras (Argentina)

Sissy Siri Rutlin Harildstad (Norway)

A Way of Being Kobi Vogman (Israel)

Broken Face Alain Fournier (Canada)

Dji: Death Fails Dmitri Voloshin (Moldova)

La-gar-to Miguel Jiron (USA)

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FINDING MY WAYJANUARY 30, FRIDAY AT 1:30PMJANUARY 31, SATURDAY AT 7PMFEBRUARY 1, SUNDAY AT 11:30AM

56 min

These live action films tell the stories of kids who are learning how to spread their wings. Along the way, they have adventures, test their courage and make decisions they have to stick with. Join them, and you’ll wander a city’s unfamiliar streets, leap past your birthday, turn a hospital room into luxurious digs and even help the moon get back to the sky! Ages 8+

Notes for parents: One film has a single instance of mild coarse language. In another film, a child

accidentally takes a few sips of rice wine.

Cancer Unit Cribs Ibrahim El-Salaam (USA)

Little Moon Lost Jennifer Treuting (USA)

The Dive Delphine Le Courtois (France)

The Girl and the Gondola Abbe Robinson (Italy/UK)

Only Gilt Lara Del Arte (Australia)

Sprout Ga-eun Yoon (Korea)

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INDIGENOUS EXPERIENCEJANUARY 30, FRIDAY AT 5PMJANUARY 31, SATURDAY AT 5:30PM

67 min

Explore the joys and challenges of Native youth in this collection of award-winning documentaries and animated films. Soar with an eagle boy in Norway, meet a deaf boy who listens to his inner voice, dance a forest back to life and outwit the wily Amautalik! Ages 9+

Co-presented with

Traditional Healing Raymond Caplin (Canada)

The Amautalik Neil Christopher (Canada)

The Orphan and the Polar Bear Neil Christopher (Canada)

Erik and the Mystery Pack Erik Papatie (Canada)

The Hearing Russell Ratt-Brascoupe (Canada)

Eagle Boy Gry Elisabeth Mortensen (Norway

Hummingbird (Huitzilopochtli) Tracy Rector/Longhouse Media (USA)

“O” SuperFly 2013, Group 5/Longhouse Media

The Snoqualmie Falls SuperFly 2014, Group 1/Longhouse Media (USA)

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EARTH SKY AND SEAJANUARY 25, SUNDAY AT 5:30PMJANUARY 30, FRIDAY AT 11:30AM

80 min

These films make use of environmental themes in unexpected and provocative ways. You will meet a lightbulb who is jealous of the sun, a little octopus who moonlights as a lounge singer, bees who have parties and a brave boy who gathers firewood alone. Along the way, you’ll learn about the world’s oceans, our water and energy supply and threats to animals and insects. Ages 9+

Notes for parents: One film contains some scary moments, though it has a happy ending. Another has a mild

expletive—grandpas are hard to censor!

Papa Cloudy’s Restaurant Akiko McQuerrey (USA)

Shadow Reef Elke Specker (USA)

Lighta Andrej Gregorčok (Slovakia)

The Colors for Leo Zarah Knebel (Spain)

Vigia Marcel Barelli (Switzerland/France)

Ain’t No Fish Tom Gasek and Miki Cash (USA/UK)

Part of the Cycle Tess Martin (USA)

Firewood, Kanta, & Grandpa Takeshi Yashiro (Japan)

Hope? Simone Giampaolo (UK)

The Wild World of Pesticides Clyde Petersen (USA)

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SHORT FILMS

SEE THE WORLD, CHANGE THE WORLD

WAVE OF WONDER

JANUARY 25, SUNDAY AT 11:30AMJANUARY 27, MONDAY AT 5PM

JANUARY 29, THURSDAY AT 5PMJANUARY 31, SATURDAY AT 1PM

70 min

65 min

Grab your bag (of popcorn) and take off on a whirlwind trip to places most Seattle kids never get a chance to see. With these films, you’ll walk through a downpour in Indonesia, climb a mountain in eastern Turkey, ride a bus in Iraq and experience a whole new country for the first time. Ages 10+

Notes for parents: One film revolves around an Indonesian superstition of tossing your underwear on the roof

to make the rain stop. The film also includes limited smoking. Another deals with stealing, though for a moral cause.

This collection of films will wash over you in a wave of exquisite, painterly animation. Dive down deep into stories that will take you to strange planets, the frozen tundra and inside the workings of a marionette theater. These films are meant to remind you that life is a journey, that sometimes hard choices have to be made and that dreams really can come true. Ages 9+

Notes for parents: This is a program for dreamers who are not afraid of themes that are sometimes sad.

There are happy endings, too. The animation is breathtaking throughout.

Galus Galus Clarissa Duque (Venezuela)

Agri and the Mountain Hasan Serin (Turkey)

War Canister Yahya Al-Allaq (Iraq/UK)

On Stopping the Rain Aditya Ahmad (Indonesia)

New Eefje Blankevoort (Netherlands)

A Lifestory Nacho Rodriguez (Spain)

The Song for Rain Yawen Zheng (China)

The Little Cousteau Jakub Kouril (Czech Republic)

Bear Story Gabriel Osorio Vargas (Chile)

The Dam Keeper Dice Tsutsumi and Robert Kondo (USA)

Gerdas Vej Jeremy Pailler (France)

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SHORT films

KID POWEREDJANUARY 24, SATURDAY AT 11:30AMJANUARY 30, FRIDAY AT 3:30PM

78 min

Challenges can bring out the best in us. The kids in these live action films face uphill battles that are long and steep, and they shine in the face of adversity. Meet a warrior child who must embrace her unique identity, a boy who becomes a superhero to his friend and a girl who faces loneliness and danger in order to get an education. Ages 11+

Notes for parents: Issues in this meaty but very inspirational program include gender identification, domestic

violence (which is discussed but does not happen on camera), divorce and oppression of girls and women.

Limited coarse language and smoking in one film.

A Place in the Middle Dean Hamer (USA)

The Amber Amulet Matthew Moore (Australia)

Layla’s Melody Jens Pedersen (Denmark)

Hear This! Soulaima El Khaldi (Netherlands)

BUILD • DESIGN • CREATE

Explore the fundamentals of video game programming, fine arts and animation, game

design, and engineering with DigiPen’s ProjectFUN youth programs in Redmond, WA.

Learn about our K-12 programs at:projectfun.digipen.edu or facebook.com/projectfun

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For the fi rst time ever in 2015, we will be hosting off-site

screenings and events during the festival, in collaboration with

the Rainier Valley Cultural Center! See the festival website for

details about dates and screening programs.

special events

JANUARY 31, SATURDAY AT 9:30AM

PANCAKE BREAKFAST AND SHORT FILM SMORGASBORD

Includes breakfast, free all-day parking, and a full fi lm program!

120 min(Screenings at 10:30 & 11:00am)

Our all-you-can-eat breakfast of fl uffy homemade pancakes and sizzling bacon is fun for the whole family! And of course we’ll have gallons of hot coffee on hand for the grown-ups. After breakfast, come to Northwest Film Forum for a special screening of Fantastic Journeys (see page 21), a magical program of new animated and live action shorts from 8 countries. All ages

Please note: This event is held at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption, located at 1804 13th Avenue. Parking in the church lot is included with your ticket.

Special ticket pricing: $15 general admission/ $55 per family of four. Please note you must choose a screening time in advance when purchasing Pancake Breakfast tickets.

Sponsored by

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CHILDREN’S JURY

Kids are always VIPs and decision- makers at the festival: we celebrate the talents and contributions of young people by hosting our annual Children’s Jury again in 2015.

Local children ages 8–13 participate in a week-long selection committee, viewing a full slate of films in competition and awarding official festival prizes.

SATELLITE JURY MEMBERS

In 2015, we’re proud to join forces for a third year with Seattle Children’s Hospital for a patient-led children’s jury (responsible for awarding prizes to festival short films), with hospital jury prizes awarded on festival closing night.

Post-festival, we host animation workshops in hospital wards for in-patients. Many thanks to Cathy Sarkowsky and the Herman and Faye Sarkowsky Foundation for making this work possible.

We close out the 2015 festival by screening films made during the past week in our workshops, announcing the winners of our Children’s Jury Prizes and Seattle Children’s Hospital Juries, and celebrating with a surprise selection of outstanding short films made by international filmmakers. Ages 8+

FEBRUARY 7, SATURDAY AT 5PM

CLOSING CEREMONY75 min

Feature films

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information

TICKETS

Admission to most festival programs is $6 for Film Forum members, $8 for children under 12 and seniors, and $11 general admission. There is special pricing for Opening Night, the Pajama Party and the Pancake Breakfast. Festival passes are also available—see website for details at childrensfilmfestivalseattle.org. Tickets may be purchased by phone at 1.800.838.3006, online at childrensfilmfestivalseattle.org or in-person at the Film Forum box office, which opens 30 minutes before the first daily show time. Advance ticket purchase is highly encouraged, as many shows sell out in advance.

GETTING HERE

The Film Forum is located within 1/2 mile of the #2, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 43, 49, 60 and 84 Metro bus routes. We recommend Seattle Central College’s Harvard Garage at 1609 Harvard Avenue (at E. Pine Street), which is open and available 24/7. An affordable pay parking lot is also available 3 blocks from the Film Forum, at the Greek Orthodox Church at 13th and Howell (please note this lot may be closed for

special events). Free street parking is available Monday-Saturday after 8pm and all day on Sundays.

ACCESSIBILITY

The entrance, cinemas and restrooms of Northwest Film Forum are fully wheelchair accessible; please email us at house@nwfilmforum.org with any questions about access.

LOCAL DISCOUNTS

Thank you to our local business neighbors on Capitol Hill, who are offering week-long family deals and discounts for festival ticket holders. Check the festival website for details

at childrensfilmfestivalseattle.org.

ABOUT US

Northwest Film Forum is Seattle’s most comprehensive film arts organization, screening over 200 independently made and classic films annually, offering a year-round schedule of filmmaking classes (including summer camps for kids) and supporting filmmakers at all stages of their careers. Visit us online at nwfilmforum.org.

LOCATION

Most festival events are held at Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Avenue between Pike and Pine on Seattle’s Capitol Hill. The Pancake Breakfast is held at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption (1804 13th Avenue).

12TH AVENUE

PIK

E S

T.

PIN

E S

T.

1515 12TH AVE.SEATTLE, WA 98122206.329.2629

37

information

NORTHWEST FILM FORUM STAFF

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Lyall Bush

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Matt Cunningham

HOUSE MANAGER Christopher Day

BUSINESS MANAGER David Falcon Ayala

EDUCATION MANAGER Craig Downing

MARKETING MANAGER AND DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE Molly Michal

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Line Sandsmark

PROGRAM DIRECTOR Courtney Sheehan

YOUTH PROGRAMS DIRECTOR Liz Shepherd

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR Adam Chimeo

MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR Grace Stetson

FESTIVAL SUPPORT

FESTIVAL ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Katie

Pappageorge

FESTIVAL PROGRAMMING ASSISTANTS Austin

Sveilis and Maritza Chavez

SEATTLE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL LIAISON

Brittany Alsot

WORKSHOP INSTRUCTORS Linda Fenstermaker,

Bill Jarcho, DigiPen students

and staff, Jonah Kozlowski, Maristella Bonomo,

Thomas Heinemann

FESTIVAL REGISTRAR Paul Siple

CHILDREN’S JURY COORDINATOR Amber Adams

and Stephen Fisher

FESTIVAL PROGRAM ADVISOR Renate Zylla

HOSPITALITY SUPPORT Barbara Curran

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

PRODUCING SPONSOR

SUPPORTING SPONSOR

ART DIRECTION

MAJOR IN-KIND SUPPORT MEDIA SPONSORS

MAJOR ANNUAL SUPPORT

The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts

Cathy Sarkowsky

The Herman and Faye Sarkowsky Foundation

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Don’t just watch great films during the festival—make your own! Festival

classes will get you fired up to find out more about the collaborative, magical

art of filmmaking. Student films will screen at the Festival’s Closing Ceremony

on February 7 at 5pm. Classes must be registered for in advance, online at

nwfilmforum.org, or by phone, weekdays 10am – 6pm, at 206.329.2629.

JANUARY 10, 12PM-4PM

ANIMATION JAM with Bill Jarcho

Ages 8+

Tuition: $50 per person

Make weird clay critters then learn to animate them, and make a wacky, clay-

animated intro to the closing night of the festival.

JANUARY 17, 1PM-5PM

SUPER FUN 8MM WORKSHOP! with Linda Fenstermaker

Ages 10-14

Tuition: $55 per person

Want to explore the fascinating world of film frames, and work hands-on to

make moving images? This course is an exciting opportunity for kids to learn

the steps of analog filmmaking, from pre-production to actual shooting with

Super 8mm film, learning about light metering, lens exposures, framing and

shooting techniques.

JANUARY 24, 12PM-4PM

FAMILY LORE with Jonah Kozlowski Ages 8 to 12, and parents or grandparents

Tuition: $40 per person

Every family has a story they tell about themselves. This lore evolves from

stories that get retold around the dinner table and at holidays and reunions.

In this workshop, participants will learn filmmaking techniques while being

encouraged to explore and share their own unique family lore. We'll learn how

to record these stories using a DSLR camera, and edit them on Final Cut Pro X.

classes

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JANUARY 25, 12PM-3PM

EXPLORE VIRTUAL PUPPETRY AND CG ANIMATION with DigiPen

A free drop-in tour for ages 7+

Ever wanted to get a glimpse of the magic behind CG animation? Drop in at

DigiPen's free afternoon session to see examples of how technology is being

blended with traditional art and digital puppeteering.

JANUARY 31, 12PM-2:30PM

SCENE STUDY with Thomas Heinemman

For young actors, ages 10-15

Tuition: $60, which includes a pass to three festival films

Meet a festival VIP — Thomas Heinemman, the German director of the feature

film Lola on the Pea! Thomas will lead young actors in theater games and

scene study work.

INFORMATION FOR EDUCATORS

We invite educators, schools and other groups to join us for special weekday

screenings of festival films. These are excellent field trip opportunities!

We offer group screenings in January and February—tickets for groups

of 20 or more are only $5 per person. See the festival website for schedule

and educator information at childrensfilmfestivalseattle.org, under the

section “for groups.”

SUMMER FILMMAKING FOR KIDS AND TEENS

Every summer, Northwest Film Forum offers filmmaking camps for

children and teens to get hands-on with the art and craft of filmmaking.

Camps for ages 7 - 18 are taught by experienced local filmmakers, and

offer the chance for budding directors, editors and DPs to get practical

experience with professional-level filmmaking gear and software, and let

creativity run wild.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22 7pm Steamboat Bill, Jr. ............................................. 5

FRIDAY, JANUARY 23 7pm Pajama Party with ............................................. 5 Caspar Babypants

SATURDAY, JANUARY 24 11:00am Snuggle Time ............................................ 18

11:00am Fantastic Journeys .................................. 21 (at Rainier Valley Cultural Center)

11:30am Kid Powered .............................................. 32

12pm Workshop: Family Lore ............................... 38

1pm Abracadabra ..................................................... 20

1:30pm Clara and the Secret ............................... 12 of the Bears

3pm Labyrinthus ......................................................... 9

3:30pm Family Matters ......................................... 24

5pm The Finishers ..................................................... 15

5:30pm Be Different................................................ 26

7pm On the Way to School ................................... 10

7pm Shivers and Scares ......................................... 27

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25 11am Party Animals ................................................... 19

11:30am See the World .............................................. 31 Change the World

12pm Drop-in Tour: Explore ...................................... 38 Puppetry and Animation with DigiPen

1pm Free Your Mind ................................................. 22

1:30pm Be Different ................................................ 26

3pm Selkirk: The Real Robinson Crusoe ................ 8

3:30pm Fabulous Fables ....................................... 25

5pm Havana Curveball ............................................ 14

5:30pm Earth Sky and Sea ................................... 30

7pm Super Shenanigans: Films by Youth ................ 17

7pm The Outlaw League ........................................ 12

MONDAY, JANUARY 26 7pm Havana Curveball............................................. 14

TUESDAY, JANUARY 27

5pm See the World Change the World .............. 31

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 287pm Shana: The Wolf’s Music ........................... 13

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29 5pm Wave of Wonder .......................................... 31

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30 No Seattle public school this day!

11am Party Animals ............................................... 19

11:30am Earth Sky Sea ....................................... 30

1pm Abracadabra ................................................. 20

1:30pm Finding My Way .................................... 28

3pm High Tech Hijinks ......................................... 23

3:30pm Kid Powered ........................................... 32

5pm Indigenous Experience .............................. 29

7pm Bubble Bubble Meows and ........................ 7 the Meteor Stomachache

SATURDAY, JANUARY 31 9:30am Pancake Breakfast ............................... 34

10:30am Fantastic Journeys ............................. 21

11am Fantastic Journeys .................................... 21

12pm Workshop: Scene Study with ............ 39 Thomas Heinemann

1pm Wave of Wonder ........................................... 31

1:30pm High Tech Hijinks ................................... 23

3pm Sally’s Way ..................................................... 10

3:30pm Bubble Bubble Meows and ................. 7 the Meteor Stomachache

5pm Lola on the Pea ............................................. 11

5:30pm Indigenous Experience ...................... 29

7pm Shana: The Wolf’s Music ........................... 13

7pm Finding My Way .......................................... 28

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1 11am Pim and Pom: The Great Adventure ...... 8

11:30am Finding My Way ................................... 28

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7 1pm Fantastic Journeys ....................................... 21

1:30pm Family Matters ....................................... 24

3pm Fabulous Fables ........................................... 25

3:30pm Free Your Mind ...................................... 22

5pm Closing Ceremony ....................................... 35

childrensfilmfestivalseattle.org