Adults have had a local film festival (in Everett) for 22 years.
Now it’s time for kids to have one of their own, too.
On Saturday, children’s films from around the world will be presented at morning and afternoon sessions at the Edmonds Center for the Arts — a first-of-its-kind event at the arts center.
Some of the films are short — really short — such as the one-minute animated film “People” or the two-minute animated short “Cycle.”
“Robbie’s Fears,” was made by 14-year-old animator Enrique Delzer, a story of a boy who overcomes the worries that keep him awake at night.
The festival’s films come from around the world, including South Africa, Sweden, Russia, Canada, Poland, Brazil and Australia.
The afternoon’s live-action films run from four to 14 minutes. They include: “Sherbert Rosencranz, You’re Beautiful,” about a girl whose world revolves around her pet guinea pig; “3 Feet,” about a 10-year-old Columbian boy’s efforts to get to school with clean shoes; and “199 Little Heroes: Miral from Palestine,” about a girl with great athletic abilities living in a world surrounded by walls.
The children’s film festival is being held in Edmonds through a partnership with the Children’s Film Festival Seattle, which compiled a “best of” group of films from its own festival of 140 films.
This “best of” group is shared with communities nationally, including Puerto Rico, Houston, New York City and Juneau, Alaska, said Elizabeth Shepherd, director of Children’s Film Festival Seattle.
“We’re thrilled to be working with the Edmonds Center for the Arts to help them present this as their own children’s film festival and to provide opportunities for families to come out and see the world through films from around the world,” Shepherd said.
The films are about families, fanciful creatures and what it’s really like to be a child, she said.
The character in “Three Feet” has a long walk to school, and has to arrive there with clean shoes. But he also loves to kick a soccer ball on his way there. It shows the challenge he faces just getting to school every day and a child being powerful and trying to obey the rules, Shepherd said.
The opportunity to host a children’s film festival “seemed like a great fit with a digital sound system and the growing film programming we have,” said Gillian Jones, the art center’s director of programming.
There’s one more activity for kids planned as part of the event, scheduled during intermission. Taking a cue from the film “Tweet-tweet,” children can make their own little birds out of paper and create their own animated movements with an iPad. The activity will be led by filmmaker and artist L. Fried.
Whether kids are signed up for just the morning or afternoon screenings or the whole day, “they’re more than welcome to join us for the activity,” Jones said.
Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.
Festival schedule
ANIMATED
Screenings begin at 11 a.m., all ages, for a total of 68 minutes.
“People”: Winner of a Children’s Film Festival Seattle “Kid’s Choice” award. An introspective look at the differences between people and learning to love who you are.
“Cycle”: As a small girl’s grandfather teaches her how to ride a bike, she discovers that real adventures begin where the road ends.
“Woolworld”: Mr. Wooly lives in a world made of wool, and he is the only person who knows how to keep the place from unraveling.
“Out Fishing”:A kitten is hungry and can’t catch anything tasty when she goes out fishing. But in a moment of illumination, she finds a creative solution.
“Little Red Riding Hood”: Little Red and Grandma aren’t afraid of the wolf at all.
“Kitten Witch”: A precocious kitten wants to be a witch’s helper, but first she must pass a test.
“6:1”: An inseparable girl and cat are on a long journey, playing checkers. The girl keeps winning until the cat gets a lucky break.
“Belly Flop”: The winner of the Audience Favorite film prize at Children’s Film Festival Seattle 2019. Persistence pays off when a brave girl who is learning to dive is unperturbed when another swimmer steals the spotlight.
“Aidan and Albert Sykes”: Nine-year-old Aidan Sykes, of Jackson, Mississippi, asks his father, Albert, a few important questions.
“Robbie’s Fears”: Made by a 14-year-old animator. Robbie, a 12-year-old boy, overcomes the anxieties that keep him awake at night with the help of his mother.
“Robot and the Whale”: Two robots can do anything except get wet. So how will they save a beautiful whale?
“If You Fall”: Lila, age 8, learns that she can ride a bike, and her parents can overcome their challenges, too.
“Tweet-tweet”: Winner of Best Animated Short film prize at the children’s jury at the Children’s Film Festival Seattle. This is a fable about the power of a grandmother’s spirit and the journey of her life, as seen by a bird who represents her spirit.
LIVE ACTION
Screenings begin at 1 p.m., a total of 72 minutes, best for ages 8 and up.
“Jelly Fish”: A school trip turns wild when a giant cephalopod takes an unexpected star turn.
“Doctor of Monster”: A boy who already has chosen his future profession now will have to face his fears to become a doctor of monsters.
“Sherbert Rosencranz, You’re Beautiful”: Milly’s world revolves around her pet guinea pig until her mother attempts to engineer finding her a “real” friend. Watch the trailer at www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCLJYhxoDD8.
“Dear Henri”: Nine-year-old Henri recently lost her beloved namesake and pen pal, Grandpa Henry. She misses him deeply, but then she thinks of a way to continue their correspondence.
“3 Feet”: Winner of Children’s Film Festival Seattle prize for Best Live Action Short Film. Gonzalo is an imaginative and tenacious 10-year old facing the most difficult task of his life: Get to school with clean shoes. Watch the trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Wd1xgQ6SCc
“Spelliasmous”: Three friends reveal what the Harry Potter stories mean to them, transforming their sleepy Cuban town into a world of wizards, witches and monsters.
“199 Little Heroes: Miral from Palestine”: Miral is an exuberant girl who has amazing athletic ability. Her life is beautiful and full in spite of the walls that surround her.
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