Age Range: 18

programs

Heebie Jeebies

Freaky, fun, and far, far out, the always mind-bending Heebie Jeebies returns with more slightly spooky tales. Badgers have had enough fear-mongering and plot their dark-of-night escape in Quarantine, and bedtime routines turn truly bizarre in Sheep, Wolf and a Cup of Tea… Not strange enough? Watch a kid team up with Sasquatch to reclaim the wild in Biidaaban (The Dawn Comes).
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Disneynature’s Dolphin Reef

Narrated by Natalie Portman, Disneynature’s Dolphin Reef features Echo, a young Pacific bottlenose dolphin who’s more interested in exploring his coral reef home, and its intriguing inhabitants, than learning to survive in it. But lessons from family—and close encounters with some of the ocean’s greatest predators—may encourage Echo to master his vital role in the marine community after all. Catch the majesty of this ocean story exclusively on the big screen before its highly anticipated debut on Disney+.
programs

Hilda

She’s clever, kind, witty—and rocks a pair of red boots like nobody’s business. Hilda is back, rescuing elves, dodging trolls, and exploring Trolberg’s strange history and stranger personalities. The BAFTA award-winning Netflix Original series inspired by Luke Pearson’s hugely popular graphic novels returns to NYICFF with the world premiere of Season Two. Join us for sneak peeks of “Troll Circle” and “The Witch,” two truly enchanting adventures! This program is supported by:       
programs

Rocca Changes the World

A modern-day, punk rock Pippi Longstocking, Rocca comes from a family of astronauts—but she’s no space cadet. Smart, intrepid, and ready to save the world—from protecting the littlest squirrel to challenging the biggest bully—there’s virtually nothing she can’t handle. Well, except maybe missing her dad while he’s on a space mission. Somehow, we think she’ll even ace earthly matters.
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Friends & Neighbors: Japan

Say konichiwa (hello!) to our 2020 Friends & Neighbors. Celebrate Japan’s rich film and cultural history in a breathtaking range of styles: the hand-drawn artistry of master animator and NYICFF alum Koji Yamamura’s world premiere, Dreams into Drawing, the stop-motion nod to traditional Japanese puppetry in Gon, the Little Fox, and the manga-style zaps, zings, and pows of Onomatopoeia Rap, and more. This program is supported by:
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Magic Boy

Anime? Check. Disney-inspired cute critters? Check. Beautiful colors? Do you even have to ask?! Our Festival Flashback is a groundbreaker: the first-ever anime film released in the US (from renowned Toei Studios), and quite possibly the inspiration for the lovably goofy ninjas-in-training of Naruto. Step back in time and follow Sasuke’s adventures from the very beginning! This program is supported by:
programs

Bento Harassment

Can food speak louder than words? With Futaba’s mother tired of her teen’s icy attitude, she’ll try an unusual tactic to get her to talk—by way of her bento lunch box. For an entire school term, Futaba opens box after box, each designed with its own cringe-worthy message. An offbeat story of growing up, Bento Harassment will leave audiences laughing…and hungry. This program is supported by:
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Forward: Tomorrow Belongs to Us

Meet seven incredible young activists from around the world with unwavering courage to transform our future in this new documentary. While vying for an international prize for his innovative recycling program, José guides us from his native Peru to introduce pioneering kids from France, Bangladesh, Africa, the US, and beyond, demonstrating that you don’t need all the answers to fix a problem—just a brave first step. *References to challenging real-life circumstances This program is supported by:    
programs

Fahim, the Little Chess Prince

In this true-to-life story, Fahim journeys from Bangladesh to France with his father and seeks to train with a chess grandmaster. When coach Sylvain (Gerard Depardieu) accepts Fahim into a challenging chess class, he transforms his fate in more ways than one in a heartwarming testimony to a father’s determination, the kindness of strangers, and one boy’s courageous will to succeed. *Some mature language; scenes of political persecution and refugee hardship, including some violence This program is supported by:
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The Club of Ugly Children

This action-packed thriller unfolds in a world led by a new president whose motto, “Keep it Clean,” means rounding up kids who don’t meet his view of ideal citizens. Paul, his big sister, and their band of friends aren’t going to simply stand by. They mobilize with energy and ingenuity in this pulse-racing tale that will have you cheering from the edge of your seat! *Some mature language This program is supported by:
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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.
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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:
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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!
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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:
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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
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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.
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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 
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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:
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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 
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