Inaugural NY/SF International Children’s Film Festival kicks off the SFFS 2010 Fall Season
For three days beginning September 24, the first NY/SF International Children’s Film Festival will light up the screen at Landmark’s Embarcadero Center Cinema, bringing an eclectic collection of films and events to Bay Area children and families.
From amazing anime to awe-inspiring adventures, the weekend offers a rare opportunity for kids of all ages to see new films from around the world that rarely make their way to the multiplex. Young filmgoers will also have the chance to interact with several international filmmakers who will be in attendance to present their films.
While this is the first major children’s film festival to be presented in San Francisco and the first for the Film Society, it is anything but uncharted territory for our new program partner, the New York International Children’s Film Festival. Since its launch in 1997, NYICFF has become the largest festival for children and teens in North America, with a mission to promote intelligent, passionate and compelling cinematic works to young audiences. That mission is very much in sync with the Film Society’s own programming philosophy, so when NYICFF Festival Director Eric Beckman approached SFFS Director of Programming Rachel Rosen with the idea of bringing the festival to San Francisco, it felt like a natural fit. “As a former San Francisco resident, I’m thrilled to be creating a bicoastal footprint with the launch of NY/SF ICFF,” says Beckman. “SFFS is a perfect partner for us, not just because of their prestige, expertise and audience but also because they absolutely share our vision of more provocative, eye-opening film for young people.”
As a direct counterpoint to Hollywood’s emphasis on big-budget, mass-market blockbusters, the NY/SF ICFF offers family-friendly fare that transcends the usual formulas found in many children’s movies. The festival is designed to entertain and enlighten with a variety of film programs appropriate for every age group—from toddlers as young as three to teenagers who think they are too cool to attend movies with their parents.
At a time when G-rated films have all but disappeared from the Hollywood repertoire, NY/SF ICFF offers a refreshing selection of programs for the preschool to grade-school set that will please without pandering, including Eleanor’s Secret, a reading-themed animated feature; Turtle: The Incredible Journey, a stunning nature documentary; and a fun-filled, inventive Kid Flix Mix of shorts. In a departure from the violence and scatological humor that often characterize films produced for teenage audiences, the festival features several intelligent and innovative selections that promise to engage those over 14, including Summer Wars, a brilliant cyberpunk/sci-fi anime from Japan, and Flicker Lounge, a creative collection of short films.
Each film has been selected based on its potential to entertain kids and parents alike, with collective family viewing highly encouraged. The festival aims to make every program an interactive experience—an opportunity for kids and adults to engage with filmmaker guests and with each other. Each film in the festival will be competing for an audience award (Best Feature and Best Short, to be announced at the end of the festival), so every audience member will have the chance to vote for their favorite film. Voting, however, is not confidential—audience members are encouraged to discuss and even debate with each other about which ones they liked best (or least) and why. To further support the family viewing experience, SFFS will be providing study guides for select films to parents who want additional resources for talking to their kids about the films they have viewed. Additionally, audience members 18 and under will have the opportunity to participate in an essay contest and compete for cash prizes.
Dialogue and creative inquiry will be further encouraged by the participation of filmmaker guests from abroad. On Opening Night, British director Jamie Johnson will present his multicultural musical documentary Sounds Like Teen Spirit, an exuberant look at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in which aspiring young performers from all over Europe sing their hearts out for a chance at international stardom. The screening follows the festival’s Opening Night party at the Punch Line Comedy Club, where guests will enjoy kid-friendly food, beverages and live entertainment. On Closing Night, September 26, French animator Jacques-Rémy Girerd will be in attendance for the screening of Mia & the Migoo, an inspiring eco-adventure created from 500,000 hand-painted cels that won Best Animated Feature at the European Film Awards. Also on Sunday, Irish director Tomm Moore will make a special appearance for a screening of his 2010 Academy Award–nominated feature The Secret of Kells, followed by a special interactive presentation to demonstrate how the film was created and an extended Q&A with the audience.
This is a festival that truly has something for everyone regardless of age. While bringing a child is not required, guests are encouraged to bring a bit of their inner child.
Browse the full program and purchase tickets here.
From amazing anime to awe-inspiring adventures, the weekend offers a rare opportunity for kids of all ages to see new films from around the world that rarely make their way to the multiplex. Young filmgoers will also have the chance to interact with several international filmmakers who will be in attendance to present their films.
While this is the first major children’s film festival to be presented in San Francisco and the first for the Film Society, it is anything but uncharted territory for our new program partner, the New York International Children’s Film Festival. Since its launch in 1997, NYICFF has become the largest festival for children and teens in North America, with a mission to promote intelligent, passionate and compelling cinematic works to young audiences. That mission is very much in sync with the Film Society’s own programming philosophy, so when NYICFF Festival Director Eric Beckman approached SFFS Director of Programming Rachel Rosen with the idea of bringing the festival to San Francisco, it felt like a natural fit. “As a former San Francisco resident, I’m thrilled to be creating a bicoastal footprint with the launch of NY/SF ICFF,” says Beckman. “SFFS is a perfect partner for us, not just because of their prestige, expertise and audience but also because they absolutely share our vision of more provocative, eye-opening film for young people.”
As a direct counterpoint to Hollywood’s emphasis on big-budget, mass-market blockbusters, the NY/SF ICFF offers family-friendly fare that transcends the usual formulas found in many children’s movies. The festival is designed to entertain and enlighten with a variety of film programs appropriate for every age group—from toddlers as young as three to teenagers who think they are too cool to attend movies with their parents.
At a time when G-rated films have all but disappeared from the Hollywood repertoire, NY/SF ICFF offers a refreshing selection of programs for the preschool to grade-school set that will please without pandering, including Eleanor’s Secret, a reading-themed animated feature; Turtle: The Incredible Journey, a stunning nature documentary; and a fun-filled, inventive Kid Flix Mix of shorts. In a departure from the violence and scatological humor that often characterize films produced for teenage audiences, the festival features several intelligent and innovative selections that promise to engage those over 14, including Summer Wars, a brilliant cyberpunk/sci-fi anime from Japan, and Flicker Lounge, a creative collection of short films.
Each film has been selected based on its potential to entertain kids and parents alike, with collective family viewing highly encouraged. The festival aims to make every program an interactive experience—an opportunity for kids and adults to engage with filmmaker guests and with each other. Each film in the festival will be competing for an audience award (Best Feature and Best Short, to be announced at the end of the festival), so every audience member will have the chance to vote for their favorite film. Voting, however, is not confidential—audience members are encouraged to discuss and even debate with each other about which ones they liked best (or least) and why. To further support the family viewing experience, SFFS will be providing study guides for select films to parents who want additional resources for talking to their kids about the films they have viewed. Additionally, audience members 18 and under will have the opportunity to participate in an essay contest and compete for cash prizes.
Dialogue and creative inquiry will be further encouraged by the participation of filmmaker guests from abroad. On Opening Night, British director Jamie Johnson will present his multicultural musical documentary Sounds Like Teen Spirit, an exuberant look at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in which aspiring young performers from all over Europe sing their hearts out for a chance at international stardom. The screening follows the festival’s Opening Night party at the Punch Line Comedy Club, where guests will enjoy kid-friendly food, beverages and live entertainment. On Closing Night, September 26, French animator Jacques-Rémy Girerd will be in attendance for the screening of Mia & the Migoo, an inspiring eco-adventure created from 500,000 hand-painted cels that won Best Animated Feature at the European Film Awards. Also on Sunday, Irish director Tomm Moore will make a special appearance for a screening of his 2010 Academy Award–nominated feature The Secret of Kells, followed by a special interactive presentation to demonstrate how the film was created and an extended Q&A with the audience.
This is a festival that truly has something for everyone regardless of age. While bringing a child is not required, guests are encouraged to bring a bit of their inner child.
Browse the full program and purchase tickets here.