Rubik
What would you do with the power to shake the world in your hands? Manipulations of this Rubik’s cubes lead to manipulations of time and space.
Age Range: 12
Nino & Felix
Nino and Felix, two boys thrown together by circumstance, must learn to work it out in fantastical fashion to find common ground.
It Was Mine
Is there really such a thing as coincidence? R. is in search of a remarkable book that he yearns to read. He finally finds it in the most unexpected way. A playful and offbeat reflection based on a short story by Paul Auster.
Welcome to My Life
The animated high school challenges of T-Kesh, your average Monster-American teenager.
Glove
The surprising journey of an astronaut’s glove that traveled from Delaware to the depths of space in 1965—and is likely still floating around today.
Chateau de Sable
In the middle of the desert, soldiers made of sand protect a marvelous pearl from a huge creature trying to steal it in this epic, Ray Harryhausen-inspired CGI battle.
Voltaire
Weathervane rooster Voltaire pines for a life atop grand cathedrals, and things get more gothic than he ever imagined in this lightning-strikes-twice story.
Sing
2017 Oscar® nominee! Zsofi thinks she’s found the key to fitting in at her new school when she joins its prestigious choir, but she must learn to honor her true voice in the award-winning Sing.
Ancien and the Magic Tablet
This fender and genre-bending film takes us into the not-too-distant machine-driven future. Kokone should be diligently studying for her university entrance examines, but she just can’t seem to stay awake. Aside from stealing precious study time, her napping is even more distracting, as it brings on strange dreams with warring machines that hint at family secrets that have been dormant for years. She can’t ask her father, a hipster mechanic more talented and artful than his job requires, as he’s always busy modifying motorcycles and cars in flights of fancy. What are these visions that lead Kokone at once closer to and farther away from her family? Like all the best anime, the film revels in multilayered fantasy to show how sometimes opposites—waking and dreaming, the past and the future—are far more intertwined than they appear.
The World of Us
Bright-faced and modest, Sun is a devoted daughter and big sister, but she can’t seem to connect with her classmates. When new girl Jia moves to town over summer break, Sun’s luck begins to change. The two form a fast bond, spending their days trading friendship bracelets, stories, and recipes (you’ll leave craving kimchi). Yet when school starts again, Jia quickly sees Sun as the rest of the class does: as an outcast on the other side of the social class line. But Sun still still holds out hope for friendship with Jia, who despite her popularity, has problems of her own. With intimate shots and a lingering camera, World of Us presents a quiet but poignant story of the complexities—and, ultimately, the joys—of female friendship, cultural values, and family life that ring true no matter what the setting.
*Main character deals, briefly but realistically, with an alcoholic parent.
The Day My Father Became a Bush
Ten-year-old Toda lives an idyllic life with her baker father, concocting sweet confections to the delight of their town. But when her father is drafted to join the war between the “Ones” and the “Others,” their tranquil existence is upended. With her father gone and war dangerously encroaching on their town, Toda must make the secret trek to her mother’s home across the border. Along the way, she meets corrupt officials, narrow-minded neighbors, sketchy smugglers, and—luckily—friend and fellow refugee, “Stickie.” Together, they are bolstered by camaraderie and bravery. With strikingly earnest performances from the young actors and without allusions to any specific nationalities, The Day My Father Became a Bush provides a wistfully universal story about the power of resilience and empathy over fear and bigotry.
*While sensitively handled, film deals with the anxieties of war.
Zip & Zap and the Captain’s Island
A follow up to NYICFF 2013 audience favorite Zip & Zap and the Marble Gang, no familiarity with the original is necessary to jump right into this boisterous and stylized Spanish caper. As a punishment for accidentally setting a toy store on fire, Zip and Zap’s parents forgo their traditional Christmas holiday and drag the boys along on a work trip. Something is amiss when a sinister storm lands them at the grand, cliff-side mansion of Miss Pam, a children’s literature-loving headmistress for a freewheeling home for children separated from their parents. With sweeping views of the dramatic Basque coast and settings that evoke stories from the greats from J.M. Barrie to Jules Verne, the latest chapter in the Zip and Zap saga is equal parts comic book antics and mysterious adventure.
*Film contains some mature language.
Rudolf the Black Cat
Rudolf enjoys a life of comfort and care in Gifu, Japan. Yet true to the adage, curiosity gets the best of the kitten, and he decides to explore beyond the four walls of his home. When he’s inadvertently whisked into the back of a cargo truck and lands in Tokyo, he befriends Gottalot, a seasoned street cat who possesses a crucial and unusual skill that will help him find his way home: the ability to read the human language. Rudolf’s journey is rich with Japanese culture, and his story celebrates the wonder of discovery—that magical moment when you realize you have the key to unlock the world.
Ivan Tsarevitch and the Changing Princess: Four Enchanting Tales
Renowned animator Michel Ocelot (Kirikou and the Sorceress) originally conceived of this enchanting collection of fairy tales in his signature silhouette style of animation as a series related to past Festival feature Tales of the Night (NYICFF 2012). A master projectionist and his two assistants bring life to four magical tales. Stories of a shape-shifting princess, a cat whose natural ability seems supernatural to some, a girl who learns to harness—not hide from—her fears to fight the most daunting of beasts, and a boy tempted by the promises of a sorcerer are full of rich imagery, plot twists, and charming characters. As always, Ocelot’s illustrations provide a stunning platform to explore the very art of storytelling.
Mr. Frog
Sita wants nothing more than a little quality time with her mother, who is often busy tending to the (literally) ruffled feathers of her patients at the local veterinary clinic. Yet it’s her mother’s expertise that instills in Sita a love and understanding of the animal kingdom that she’s eager to share in her upcoming school report on amphibians. Curiously, whenever she utters the word “frog” in the classroom, her teacher goes a bit green at the gills and disappears—a problem considering the unconventional educator is being monitored closely by the strict principal. Based on a story by best-selling author Paul van Loon, this charmingly quirky tale infuses its rustic setting with subtle fantasy to portray a group of students who stand steadfast by their beloved teacher no matter where—or in what form—he hops.
Revolting Rhymes
Forget everything you thought you knew about Little Red Riding Hood. And Cinderella. And the Three Little Pigs… In “Revolting Rhymes,” Roald Dahl reimagined six classic fairy tales with his characteristically sardonic wit. Now his twisted tales come to life in two wondrously animated featurettes. These new stories have slightly rougher edges: a greedy pig banker pilfering Red Riding Hood’s hard-earned savings, a Cinderella less than thrilled with her post-ball prospects, and a Snow White who hightails it into the big city. And yet, compassion somehow miraculously holds on. Gallows humor, guffaws, knowing laughs, and sighs of relief all have their turn in this wicked and visually sumptuous tale, delicious enough to become a classic in its own right.
*Dark humor and some stylized cartoon violence.
Swallows and Amazons
Lake District, England. 1935. The four Walker children have finally convinced their parents to let them set off on their own for a sailing adventure during summer vacation. Their summer of freedom quickly turns into a fierce turf war when they learn their island camp has been claimed by the boisterous Amazons, and find themselves caught in the midst of some nefarious international intrigue that’s landed in their sleepy byways. Based on the beloved English novels by Arthur Ransome, Swallows and Amazons is filled with dramas big and small—from a capsized picnic basket to a Russian spy campaign—that come together to create a fluidly captivating story of bravery set against the languorous beauty of the English countryside.
Fanny’s Journey
Based on a memoir by Fanny Ben-Ami, Fanny’s Journey is an incredible tale of survival and friendship in the face of the adversity of World War II. Fanny has been sent with her siblings to a foster home in Italy for safety. But when the threat of Nazi persecution expands, the quick-witted 11-year-old must lead a group of children across the Swiss border. Negotiating false names, alternately trustworthy and treacherous adults, and life-threatening situations, Fanny remains determined in her role. With awe-inspiring shots of the European countryside as a backdrop, the film delicately shows the hardship of history through the eyes of children, reminding us that everyday joys and tight bonds can help overcome the most difficult obstacles.
*Film contains intense moments depicting the reality of World War II Europe
Your Name.
The day the stars fell, two lives changed forever. Total strangers Mitsuha and Taki live their teenage lives in separate cities until suddenly, for reasons unknown, they switch bodies. Beyond all of the physical awkwardness of their strange, new bodies, they must learn to navigate each other’s social realms and habits as they continue to swap back and forth unexpectedly. Incredibly, they adapt and form an intense bond by leaving each other messages. But can they manipulate fate and the destructive forces of the heavens to meet in person? Written, directed, and animated by anime master Makoto Shinkai (NYICFF 2008’s 5 Centimeters Per Second) in his stunningly detailed signature style, the film’s world is one where teenagers are full of sensitivity in the best sense: open to every experience and exchange, and eager to truly know one another.
Window Horses
Rosie Ming wants nothing more than to live the life of a Parisian poet. Instead, the only child of a Chinese mother and Iranian father lives in Canada with her over-protective grandparents. She’s overjoyed to receive an unexpected invitation to a poetry festival, but has some misgivings upon realizing that it’s not in Paris, but in Iran. Culture shock upon arrival soon gives way to total fascination as she (and the audience) discovers the area’s rich artistry and storytelling. With the help of new friends, Rosie uncovers her connection to Iran, her inspiration, and her own artistic voice. Anne Marie Fleming’s adaptation of her own graphic novel beautifully mixes animation styles to create a testament to the value of identity and the power of art to bridge languages, cultures, and generations.
Little Mountain Boy
When an accident leaves Ursli and his family without their annual harvest, they must strike a deal with a wealthy merchant in order to survive—including giving up Ursli’s beloved goat, Zila. At least there’s Chalandamarz, the end-of-winter festival, to look forward to. Ursli is sure he’ll receive the best of the traditional bells given to all the local boys. When this, too, is taken by the merchant and his equally greedy son, it takes Seraina, a brave girl, to help him stand up for himself and set things right. Adapted from the iconic Swiss novel “A Bell for Ursli,” this fable is a serenade to a just, natural world filmed amidst the breathtaking beauty of the Alps.
Panda! Go Panda!
We’re flashing back to a Festival classic that our youngest audiences may have missed! From the legendary team that formed Studio Ghibli (with original concepts and character designs by Hayao Miyazaki) comes two deliriously delightful animated featurettes. Seven-year-old Mimiko has somehow persuaded her grandmother to take off by train and leave her home alone. She’s quite capable of handling all duties of home and hearth, but gets more than she bargains for when PapaPanda and baby Panny turn up at her door. Their round bodies, wide grins, and off-kilter clowning offer the first glints of another charming neighbor to come. Infused equally with the amazing and the absurd, this seriously fun Totoro precursor is sure to win over new audiences and seasoned Ghibli fans alike. Panda, Go Panda, indeed!
My Life as a Zucchini
“Zucchini” may sound like a weird name, but after the accidental death of his mother, the nickname is all the nine-year-old has left of her. The kids at his new group home seem to understand and, though hesitant at first, Zucchini soon finds himself part of their close-knit, makeshift family. So upon the arrival of the winsome Camille, he is quick to offer his own warm welcome. But when Camille’s greedy aunt tries to take her away, Zucchini and his newfound friends must find a way to stay together. With its beautifully expressive stop-motion style, My Life as a Zucchini tackles sometimes heavy subject matter with a light touch, conveying the children’s perseverance through precarious circumstances through the matter-of-fact lens of childhood.
Note: Film includes references to characters’ difficult pasts including alcoholic, criminal, and abusive family members, as well as a childlike discussion of sexual situations.
Note: Film includes references to characters’ difficult pasts including alcoholic, criminal, and abusive family members, as well as a childlike discussion of sexual situations.
Weekends
Nominated for an Oscar and evocatively hand-illustrated, Jimenez’s film artfully relays the story of a young boy shuttling between dreams as well as his challenging new two-household reality.
Stories Floating On The Wind
One young woman’s freewheeling ride down the Japanese coast winds along a breezy path through vivid encounters with senses, sensations, and pulsating colors.
Preschool Poets: Bullets
Brayden offers poetic yet to-the-point advice for laying down arms and anger.
Pig: The Dam Keeper Poems
Exquisitely hand drawn and based on the NYICFF and Academy-Award winning short, abstract and surreal visuals suggest eco-dangers tempered by Pig and a cast of hopeful characters.
Building a Prosthetic Arm With Legos
A young man’s self-determination and clever engineering shine in this inspiring doc.
Passing By
100 years of Amsterdam go by in street-style flash and dash in this memorably animated view of history.
Best Laid Plans
Follow twists, turns, lifts, and drops as a Rube Goldberg contraption takes viewers on a glorious ride to a circuitous conclusion.