programs

Short Films One

For ages 5 and up, Short Films One features films filled with wonder, whimsy, and awe to deepen kids’ growing appreciation for cinema through an inventive range of storytelling approaches. A tiny story with a big tale of acceptance at its heart, Tulip captures a wondrous world in miniature through its meticulously crafted stop-motion animation. You’ll be equally dazzled when the magic of kindness takes center stage in To: Gerard, the new Oscar short-listed film from DreamWorks. And if kooky tales are what you’re craving, you’ll flip your lid over the hilariously absurd split personalities of Matilda and the Spare Head.
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Matilda and the Spare Head

Matilda wants to be the smartest person in the world. When she can’t fit any more in her head, she figures two heads are better than one.
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To: Gerard

You’ll be dazzled when the magic of kindness takes center stage in this new Oscar® shortlisted film from DreamWorks.
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Tulip

Tulip, a tiny child born from a flower, explores a wondrous miniature word in this little story with a big message of acceptance at its Thumbelina-inspired heart.
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Zog and the Flying Doctors

Zog and the Flying Doctors picks up where Zog left off, as Princess Pearl achieves her dreams of being a doctor. Together with Zog the dragon and Sir Gadabout, the flying trio criss-cross the kingdom giving vaccinations to creatures of all stripes. But Pearl’s uncle, the orange-faced King, is doubtful and disapproving, and ends up sick. Will he learn to trust in Pearl, and science, and rethink what it means to be royal?
programs

Magic Light Celebration

The winner of audience awards at NYICFF year after year, Magic Light Pictures gets a full spotlight this year as we feature their newest film and fulfill our audience’s countless requests for an encore of The Snail and The Whale.
programs

Moominvalley: The Hobgoblin Trilogy

Moominmania is back at NYICFF with another exclusive installment of Tove Jansson’s beloved characters come to life. The Moomin Hobgoblin Trilogy brings thrills and delight right from the start as Moomintroll finds a magical hat with some surprising properties. Next, Moominmamma turns her attention to the sweet and secretive tiny visitors Thingumy & Bob, and finally a mysterious precious gem sends the town into a tizzy.
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Sisters: the Summer We Found Our Superpowers

Vega, 9, and her wild sister Billie, 5, are going on an overnight outdoor hike in the lush Norwegian woods. The trip is full of exciting climbs, silly jokes, and happy trekking until Dad pulls one acrobatic stunt too many, falling into a cave and injuring his leg badly. Unable to move, he asks Vega and Billie to get help. Anxiously retracing their steps, they know that everything depends on them now, as Vega tries to keep them focused on the goal despite setbacks, surprises, and Billie’s many distractions. They bravely face their fears, discover their superpowers, and find strength in their sisterhood.
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Moominvalley: The Hobgoblin Trilogy

Moominmania is back at NYICFF with another exclusive installment of Tove Jansson’s beloved characters come to life. The Moomin Hobgoblin Trilogy brings thrills and delight right from the start as Moomintroll finds a magical hat with some surprising properties. Next, Moominmamma turns her attention to the sweet and secretive tiny visitors Thingumy & Bob, and finally a mysterious precious gem sends the town into a tizzy.
programs

Closing Spotlight: Raya and the Last Dragon

Live Film Screening + Special Event on March 12 at 7pm ET/4pm PT & 10pm ET/ 7pm PT Learn about the research and artistry that went into bringing Disney’s latest animated feature to life! Catch a live screening of Raya and the Last Dragon followed by an exclusive conversation with Raya herself, Kelly Marie Tran, and the filmmakers from Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Raya and the Last Dragon travels to the fantasy world of Kumandra, where humans and dragons lived together long ago in harmony. But when an evil force threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, that same evil has returned and it’s up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the legendary last dragon to restore the fractured land and its divided people. However, along her journey, she’ll learn that it’ll take more than a dragon to save the world—it’s going to take trust and teamwork as well. Raya and the Last Dragon will be released simultaneously in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021.

Presented in partnership with

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Opening Night: City of Ghosts Q&A

Live Q&A on March 5th at 8pm ET
Please note this event is a Q&A and discussion with screening excerpts from the series.
Watch the first episode of City of Ghosts on Netflix then join us for an exclusive, making-of conversation with showrunner and creator (and NYICFF 2017 award-winner) Elizabeth Ito, and members of the creative team. Go behind the scenes of this innovative new series and ask your questions directly! Inspired by writer/director Elizabeth Ito’s experience growing up as a yonsei—or fourth-generation Japanese American—City of Ghosts is a documentary-style series featuring a charming blend of live-action settings populated by animated characters, many voiced by real residents recounting their own stories. Each episode follows the Ghost Club as they learn about the rich history of the multicultural neighborhoods of LA through encounters with friendly ghosts. City of Ghosts premieres on Netflix on March 5, 2021.

Presented in partnership with
films

City of Ghosts

Inspired by writer/director Elizabeth Ito’s experience growing up as a yonsei—or fourth-generation Japanese American—City of Ghosts is a documentary-style series featuring a charming blend of live-action settings populated by animated characters, many voiced by real residents recounting their own stories. Each episode follows the Ghost Club as they learn about the rich history of the multicultural neighborhoods of LA through encounters with friendly ghosts. City of Ghosts premieres on Netflix on March 5.
films

Raya and the Last Dragon

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Raya and the Last Dragon travels to the fantasy world of Kumandra, where humans and dragons lived together long ago in harmony. But when an evil force threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, that same evil has returned and it’s up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the legendary last dragon to restore the fractured land and its divided people. However, along her journey, she’ll learn that it’ll take more than a dragon to save the world—it’s going to take trust and teamwork as well. Raya and the Last Dragon will be released simultaneously in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021.
programs

The Magic School Bus Rides Again

Celebration includes two all-new episodes, book giveaways, special prizes, and more! Featuring Kate McKinnon, Lily Tomlin, and a brand new theme song by Lin Manuel Miranda! The kids are back at Walkerville School for another school year of astonishing, out-of-this-world field trips in this all-new reimagining of the iconic science-comedy-adventure series The Magic School Bus. But this year, there’s a new Frizzle (Kate McKinnon)! The younger sister of the famed Professor Frizzle (Lily Tomlin) has taken over the classroom! Worry not—the new Ms. Frizzle shares her sister’s zany ways and a passion for science. Field trips this year are wilder than ever, into the clouds, across the internet, riding the continents—even a plunge into the depths of the Sun itself! And along the way, the kids we know and love bring their science investigations into the 21st century: still taking chances, making mistakes, and getting messy! -Netflix
films

The Magic School Bus Rides Again

Featuring Kate McKinnon, Lily Tomlin, and a brand new theme song by Lin Manuel Miranda! The kids are back at Walkerville School for another school year of astonishing, out-of-this-world field trips in this all-new reimagining of the iconic science-comedy-adventure series The Magic School Bus. But this year, there’s a new Frizzle (Kate McKinnon)! The younger sister of the famed Professor Frizzle (Lily Tomlin) has taken over the classroom! Worry not—the new Ms. Frizzle shares her sister’s zany ways and a passion for science. Field trips this year are wilder than ever, into the clouds, across the internet, riding the continents—even a plunge into the depths of the Sun itself! And along the way, the kids we know and love bring their science investigations into the 21st century: still taking chances, making mistakes, and getting messy! -Netflix
programs

Coco Advanced Screening

In Disney•Pixar’s dazzling new film Coco, aspiring musician Miguel (voice of Anthony Gonzalez) teams up with charming trickster Héctor (voice of Gael García Bernal) on an extraordinary journey through the Land of the Dead. The all-new original film is directed by Lee Unkrich (Toy Story 3), co-directed by Adrian Molina (story artist Monsters University) and produced by Darla K. Anderson (Toy Story 3). Join us for this very special advance screening of Disney•Pixar’s Coco before it opens in theaters on Nov. 22.
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Angel’s Trumpet

The next step in the evolution of hummingbirds just may surprise you!
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C is for Cars

Get revved up and ready to get carried away with all things “C.”