Ages 8+
Can you do anything you set your mind to? Yes, you can! And so can the kids in these animated and live-action films, who exercise their imaginations while also remembering that to truly succeed, we all need a little help from our friends.
70 min.
Ages 13+
These animated films — a “best of” compilation from the Conscious Cartoons International Animation Festival — aim to open eyes, hearts and minds through the transcendent medium of animation. This collection of 10 award-winning films from nine countries explores themes including climate, child abuse, gender equality and identity and the joys and sorrow of the human condition.
71 min.
(John Sheedy, Australia, live-action, 96 min, English) US premiere!
Ages 10+
Ages 11+
These evocative animated and live-action films for older kids show how easy it is to tear the fabric between what is real and what could be real, if we only imagined it. See how an artist brings her paintings to life, how a big bad wolf is not so bad, how a girl can turn into a horse, how all things in nature are truly connected, how time can stand still when you realize a grandmother and mother’s love, and how to step inside the mind of another person to change it.
79 min.
Content advisory: Horse’s Stone is about a girl with a terminal illness, with an ending that is magical. Beyond Horizons can be a bit spooky, like an episode of the old Twilight Zone TV series. Auuuna which has overtones of a folk tale, might seem a bit scary to the most sensitive viewers. Tweet-Tweet is a somewhat solemn but magical film about the long life of the filmmaker’s grandmother.
(Lina Šuková, Slovakia, animation, 2018, 8 min, in English)
In a new take on Red Riding Hood a girl makes peace with the power and mystery of nature, and finds the big bad wolf is not bad at all.
(Tatiana Skorlupkina, Russia, animation & live action, 2018, 9 min, nonverbal) West Coast premiere!
A painter has a special talent to bring her paintings to life. But what she does for love cannot also be done for money.
(Benny Goldman, Australia, animation, 4 min, nonverbal)
A happy-go-lucky guy tries to cheer someone up, until he realizes that words won’t make the difference that is needed.
(Cynthia Fernández Trejo, Mexico, live action, 2017, 20 min, Spanish with English subtitles)
Matilde, who is very sick, searches for the stone that allows her fulfill her dream of becoming a horse.
(Stefanie Plattner, Germany & Republic of Congo, live action, 2018, 15 min, Lingala with English subtitles) US premiere!
A fable from the rainforest in the Odzala National Park in the Republic of Congo, told by the children of the Sanza Mobimba Kindergarten.
(Stefan Wink, UK, live action, 2018, 13 min, English) Seattle premiere!
Alex feels she’s too old to spend time with her mom, so she dashes off on her own to explore an intriguing shop. There, she discovers a miniature world with a strange secret, and also, how much she loves her mom.
(Zhanna Bekmambetova, Russia, animation, 2018, 11 min, nonverbal) Washington State premiere!
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.
Ages 8+
These live-action and animation films cross continents, generations, and even species to tell stories of connection, adventure, new beginnings, and happy endings. Friendship truly does make the world go around.
Director Khenrab Palden (Lucy & Tenzin) in attendance with actors Bridget Donnelly and Tenzin Losei!
70 min.
Content advisory: In Two Balloons, a pair of friends experience danger mid-air, while flying in balloons, but there is a happy ending.
(Mark C. Smith, US, animation, 2017, 9 min, nonverbal)
Two travelers find and save each other in a place crossed by stars and clouds.
(Natalie van den Dungen, Australia, live action, 2018, 10 min, English)
Milly’s world revolves around her pet guinea pig, until her mother orchestrates an attempt to find her a “real” friend.
(Daniela Opp, Germany, animation, 2017, 12 min, German with English subtitles) West coast premiere!
Almost 80 years separate Rosa and Molly, however a shared love for ice cream magically connects the two.
(Kike Arroyo, Spain, live action, 2018, 12 min, Spanish with English subtitles) North American premiere!
Noel, who is about to have his 8th birthday, dresses up in an obscure costume in the hope of finding a kindred spirit.
(Ben Garfield, Cuba/UK, live action, 2017, 4 min, Spanish with English subtitles) North American premiere!
Three friends reveal what the Harry Potter stories mean to then, transforming their sleepy Cuban town into a world of wizards, witches and monsters.
(Jasmine Castaneda, US & Puerto Rico, live action, 2016, 12 min, Spanish with English subtitles) West coast premiere!
Andrés sells avocados around the neighborhood to save up money for a gift for a girl, but during his journey he learns that life takes unexpected turns.
(James Cunningham, New Zealand, live action & animation, 2016, 6 min, English) Northwest premiere!
A precocious kitten wants to be a witch’s helper, but first she must pass a test.
(Khenrab Palden, US, live action, 2018, 6 min)
When Lucy arrives at her friend Tenzin’s house, she witnesses a most unique ritual in the Tibetan culture.
(Aleks Sennwald & Pete Toms, US, animation, 2018, 8 min, English) World premiere!
Pops and Branwell, two kid detectives, suspect a traitor in their squad as they chase a soup-robbing thief.