programs

Short Films Two

Fresh treats and new challenges await you in Short Films 2. Life in a castle sounds like a piece of cake, but not for Violette, who misses her Parisian apartment in My Life in Versailles. Meanwhile, Trude’s Flatmate is a monster. Literally. And chaos is in store when she tries to keep its sugar fix in check. Keep flying high with And yet we’re not superheroes.
programs

Animators All Around

Our star-studded animation panel is back, with the fourth edition of animation creators sharing the inspiration, artistry, and untold stories behind their acclaimed films. An engaging, eye-opening, one-time-only event with Stephanie Simpson, Emmy, BAFTA and Annie award-winning Head Writer and Co-Executive Producer of Hilda, Head Writer and Executive Producer of The Octonauts, and Head Writer of Arthur; Dice Tsutsumi, Founder, Tonko House, Co-Director, Academy Award®-nominated short film The Dam Keeper, and director of the upcoming Netflix series ONI; and Camrus Johnson, actor and writer/director of the short film Grab My Hand: A Letter to My Dad. Through stories, sketches, storyboards and film clips, you’ll get a lively look at their work and process, followed by an audience Q&A where you can pose your burning questions directly!
programs

Too Far Away

Eleven-year-old Ben loves his hometown, especially his soccer club, where he practices for hours each day. When he and his neighbors are forced to move, he struggles to fit in at a new school. Another newcomer, Tariq, an ace soccer player from Syria, adds to Ben’s challenges, but the two competitors might discover there’s more to be gained together in this thoughtful reflection on friendship, teamwork, and belonging.
programs

SamSam

It’s never too early to find your superpower in SamSam’s fantastical world, and he can’t wait to discover his. Thanks to Mega, the mysterious new kid, SamSam finally uncovers an “anti-monster” power! Let’s hope it’s the real thing: SamSam is about to find himself in a whopper of a showdown, battling to keep the planet laughing—and happy. This program is supported by:
programs

Best of Fest Screening + Awards Party

Celebrate four weekends of extraordinary films and an incredible Festival experience with an all new film program created by you: we’ve collected every ballot and tallied each of your votes. Join us to watch the very best shorts from this year’s Festival, then cheer on the 2020 award winners as they’re announced. When the screening’s over, it’s lights up and party down!
programs

NYICFF Rocks: Musical Shorts

Toe-tapping and seat-swaying are definitely encouraged in this spirited global tour of musical shorts. Bop alongside ShalaBonBon’s pop-inspired Japanese beat, swing with Cabaret-era jazz in the wacky I Have a Little Cactus, and get squirrely with excitement following Maestro’s lead. And we promise, no snoozy lullabies here! Full lineup to be announced soon.
programs

Children of the Sea

Adapted from the acclaimed manga comes this visually dazzling, mind-bending aquatic mystery. Ruka’s dad is so absorbed in his studies at the aquarium that he hardly notices when she befriends Umi and Sora. Like Ruka, the mysterious duo has the unique ability to hear the call of the sea and its endangered creatures. Together, can they save them? *Depicts alcoholic parent This program is supported by:
programs

Days of the Bagnold Summer

A warm, deadpan hilarious tale of parenting and heavy metal, Days of the Bagnold Summer features Earl Cave (son of legend Nick) and an original soundtrack by Belle and Sebastian. When his vacation plans tank, Ben faces another dull summer in his quiet town. Battling boredom, he auditions for a rock band whose members turn out to be a little, well, littler than expected. *Some mature language; alcohol and drug references
programs

Moominvalley

Whether you’re already mad for Moomins or you’ve yet to meet these hilarious and cuddly creatures, you can catch their newest capers as NYICFF once again offers an exclusive look at the latest goings-on in Moominvalley. Tove Jansson’s beloved books come to glorious life with a new take and season of their fairy-world tales and some of the biggest British stars voicing our favorite Moominfamily.
programs

Boys Beyond Boundaries

You can redraw boundaries or break right through, as these films demonstrate so brilliantly. The animated love letter from a son to a father to a friend in Grab My Hand reminds us that there’s no good reason to let affection go unspoken, while My Grandfather’s Memory Book proves that sometimes images speak volumes.
programs

¡Hola NYICFF! Shorts in Spanish

You’ve asked if we could screen more Spanish-language films. Our answer? ¡Sí, claro! Our new annual program brings the best stories from Latin America, the Carribean, Spain, and the US. Get your (soccer) kicks on the way to school in 3feet, orbit a mother’s love in Ailin on the Moon, and watch things grow curiouser in The Size of Things.
programs

Fritzi: A Revolutionary Tale

Summer 1989, East Germany. While her best friend, Sophie, visits Hungary, twelve-year-old Fritzi lovingly watches her dog, Sputnik. When she discovers the public protests stirring around her, she realizes that Sophie’s family may have left for more than a vacation. Fritzi’s moved to action in this riveting tale of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the people—like Fritzi—brave enough to change the world. *Includes tense moments with armed border guards 
programs

On-Gaku: Our Sound

From grunge to genius, On-Gaku turns it up to eleven musically and visually! Kenji and his two buddies are considered the toughs in their high school. Only clever Aya knows their too-cool-for-school attitude is a total act, until a bass guitar unexpectedly ends up in Kenji’s hands. With its deadpan humor, fresh animation style, and upending of the high school musical genre, there’s no wonder this film won the Ottawa Int’l Animation Festival’s top prize. *Some mature language and threat of menace This program is supported by:
programs

Disneynature’s Elephant

Disneynature’s Elephant follows African elephant Shani and her spirited son Jomo as their herd make an epic journey hundreds of miles across the vast Kalahari Desert. Led by their great matriarch, Gaia, the family faces brutal heat, dwindling resources and persistent predators, as they follow in their ancestors’ footsteps on a quest to reach a lush, green paradise.  Be the first to see the story of these great and gentle creatures in the theater before their premiere on Disney+.
programs

The Prince’s Voyage

Celebrated filmmaker Jean-François Laguionie (The Painting, NYICFF 2012) returns to the Festival with yet another beautifully animated, mesmerizing film. When a monkey prince washes ashore, Tom and his scientist parents take him in. It turns out everyone has a lot to learn, and it’s not all scientific, in a tale of intrigue and understanding, with plenty of echoes of classic primate films. This program is supported by:       
films

3feet

Get your (soccer) kicks on the way to school with Gonzalo as he hilariously tries his very best to keep things clean and stay in the game.
films

Fritzi: A Revolutionary Tale

Summer 1989, East Germany. While her best friend, Sophie, visits Hungary, twelve-year-old Fritzi lovingly watches her dog, Sputnik. When she discovers the public protests stirring around her, she realizes that Sophie’s family may have left for more than a vacation. Fritzi’s moved to action in this riveting tale of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the people—like Fritzi—brave enough to change the world. *Includes tense moments with armed border guards