The Deep
Metallic objects come to life in the depths of the sea, in the newest film from New York’s brilliant stop-motion artist PES — whose past NYICFF selections include Western Spaghetti, Dogs of War, and Game Over.
Country: United States
Hello, I Like You
Created by Brooklyn’s Mixtape Club, this quick-cut musical montage plays with texture, shape, pattern, and movement — with rope, leaves, nuts and bolts, and eye hooks twisting, dancing and popping to a soothing electronica beat.
Muppets Sing-A-Long
While on vacation in Los Angeles, Walter, the world’s biggest Muppet fan, his brother Gary, and friend Mary, uncover a diabolical plot to raze Muppet Studios. So the Muppet-loving trio decide to reunite the long-disbanded Muppets and stage a telethon. But the gang have all gone their separate ways: Kermit is living a life of seclusion in his Bel Air mansion, Fozzie now performs with a casino tribute band, Miss Piggy is a plus-size fashion editor at Vogue Paris, and Animal has just been released from a clinic for anger management. But soon enough, the former felt colleagues are back together, and up to their old Muppet antics — and a whole load of terrific music. The film stars the beloved Muppet gang, plus Jason Segel (who co-wrote), Amy Adams, and a host of celebrity cameos.
Muppets Most Wanted
NYICFF is thrilled to present a special sneak preview screening of Disney’s Muppets Most Wanted. The latest adventure from the beloved Muppet gang takes them across the globe as they embark on an international tour, selling out grand theaters in some of Europe’s most exciting destinations including Berlin, Madrid, Dublin, and London. But, as always, mayhem follows the Muppets overseas, and they find themselves unwittingly entangled in an international crime caper headed by Constantine — the World’s Number One Criminal and a dead ringer for Kermit — and his dastardly sidekick Dominic, aka Number Two. Adding to the action is Nadya (Tina Fey), a no-nonsense prison guard and Interpol agent Jean Pierre Napoleon (Ty Burrell). And, in the grand tradition of the Muppets, be on the lookout for blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearances by a slew of famous faces. James Bobin, who (like us) can’t seem to get enough of the Muppets, returns to the directing chair after the 2011 hit The Muppets. Also returning is Oscar®-winning songwriter Bret McKenzie, who is a star in his own right as half of the musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords.
Laika: Behind the Magic, Workshop and Film Screening of Coraline
Experience the magic of stop-motion through a rare behind-the- scenes presentation from Laika studios — creators of the Academy Award®-nominated Coraline and ParaNorman. Laika’s Mark Shapiro will give insights into the intricate stop-motion animation process, using footage of time-lapse production, exclusive clips of Laika animators at work, and a demonstration using the actual character models from the movies. Then put your newfound stop-motion knowledge to work during a complete screening of the film Coraline and a sneak peek at footage from the upcoming Laika feature The Boxtrolls. After the films there will be an audience Q&A.
Directed by NYICFF jury member Henry Selick (The Nightmare Before Christmas, James and the Giant Peach) and based on the best-selling novella by Neil Gaiman, Coraline is an enchantingly spooky tale about a young girl who discovers a secret passage to an alternate world where her normal family has been replaced with creepy button-eyed imposters.
Notebook Babies
From NYICFF alumnus Tony Dusko, a series of short, humorous meditations on life calibrated for the self-actualized preschooler.
Rio 2
Fly to Brazil ahead of the flock, with this special pre-release screening of Rio 2, the latest from Oscar-winning Blue Sky Animation Studio. It’s a jungle out there for Blu, Jewel, and their three kids, after they’re hurtled from the magical city of Rio de Janeiro to the wilds of the Amazon. As Blu tries to fit in, he goes beak-to-beak with the vengeful Nigel and meets the most fearsome adversary of all — his long-lost father-in-law, who has been hiding out with a group of other Macaws. The Rio characters are joined by Oscar® nominee Andy Garcia, Grammy® winner Bruno Mars, Tony® winner Kristin Chenoweth, and Oscar®/Emmy®/Tony® winner Rita Moreno — plus new Brazilian artists and original music by Janelle Monae and Wondaland.
The Dam Keeper
Set in a desolate future, a small town’s survival depends on a large windmill dam that acts as a fan to keep out poisonous clouds. Despite bullying from classmates, the dam’s young operator, Pig, works tirelessly to keep the sails spinning in order to protect the town. But when a new student joins Pig’s class, everything begins to change.
Annie: It’s the Hard-Knock Life
In 2012, over 5,000 young girls traveled to New York City to vie for a part in the Broadway revival of Annie and a bed in Miss Hannigan’s infamous orphanage. Only eight got a part. Director Joshua Seftel takes us backstage for a behind-the-scenes look at the creative chaos that is putting on a Broadway show — from the first auditions and early choreography, to dress rehearsal calamities and opening night jitters. You don’t need to love musicals to be fascinated by the process — and thoroughly charmed by the young performers who are the focus of the film. We first meet the girls as they are finding out they got the part (to much gleeful shrieking and involuntary jumping up and down) and we follow them as they move to New York and begin to navigate the difficult divide between middle-schooler and Broadway star. Along the way there are inevitable bumps in the road, triumphs, and set-backs, as they learn to trust one another, work together, and become friends.
Meet the Small Potatoes
Meet the Small Potatoes — a rockin’ quartet consisting of the cutest spuds to ever rule the radio waves. This musical mockumentary traces the group from humble beginnings on an Idaho potato farm to their meteoric rise to international pop stardom. Unfortunately, while singing spuds may be something completely new, the perils of celebrity are all too familiar — and at the height of their fame, the lovable diva Ruby decides that she’s the real star and branches out on her own, leaving Nate, the jazzy poet, Chip, the sweetheart, and Olaf the chubby intellectual, to pick up the pieces. Fret you not — this story has a happy ending, because no rock saga would be complete without the eventual reunion concert! The film has an authentic and almost gritty feel, with the adorably animated characters placed in live action archival settings (1960’s era Coney Island in particular is a real treat), and true to the rock-doc form, musical numbers are punctuated with interviews with fans, a former manager, and the southern DJ who helped them to early success. Initially created as a This is Spinal Tap for the pre-school set, the Potatoes have picked up an even larger fan base of older kids and ‘tweens — come see what all the excitement is about!
Feral
A wild boy is found in the woods by a solitary hunter and brought back to civilization. Alienated by a strange new environment, the boy tries to adapt by using the same strategies that kept him alive in the forest. A 2014 Oscar® nominated film.
I Want my Hat Back
Bear’s hat is gone and none of the animals have seen it. He is starting to become despondent, until his memory is sparked by a deer who asks just the right question.
The Vacuum Kid
A charming 12-year old boy shares his unusual passion for vacuum cleaners.
Tome of the Unknown
A slightly twisted tale from Adventure Time creative director Patrick McHale, featuring the vocal talents of Elijah Wood. Two brothers and their smart-mouthed bird find themselves lost in a mysterious place called the Unknown. Tired of walking, they decide to borrow a car from a rustic country singer made of vegetables, and head off to the big city.
Day of the Dead
With sugar skulls, sweet-smelling marigold petals, and joyful songs, a family welcomes back its ancestors in this spirited and colorful tribute to a unique holiday.
My Mom is an Airplane
There are all different kinds of mothers in this world. But can your mom fly?
Sky Color
When Marisol sets out to create a sky for the class mural, she discovers the blue is missing from her paints. This story celebrates the creative process and what it means to look at the world through the eyes of an artist.
Marcel, King of Tervuren
In this Greek tragedy — acted out by Belgian roosters — Marcel survives the bird flu, alcohol, sleeping pills and his son, Max. A true story!
Animated Amusements
Using time-lapse photography, carnival rides come to life, dancing and jumping like neon monsters in the night.
Borrowed Light
A boy in an abandoned observatory tries to show the city something incredible.
Snack Attack
Waiting to board the train, an old lady just wants to eat her cookies in peace. But the young punk on the platform next to her seems intent on sharing her snack…or is something else going on here?
Animation Hotline
From NYICFF alumnus Dustin Grella (Prayers for Peace), an ongoing series where the filmmaker creates daily mini-films by animating messages left on his Animation Hotline voicemail. Leave a message!
Song of the Spindle
Man and whale go head to head in a battle of wits.
Subway Train
Set to the funky beats of The Pop Ups, this music video features oddly morphing animals on their morning commute — and one epic pan-flute solo!
Manufactured Fortunes
The cosmic significance and gastronomical value of fortune cookies might be debatable, but this batter-splattered, old- fashioned baking-and-packing machine takes on a meaningful life of its own.
(Baby) It’s You!
Boy meets girl. Boy loses girl. Boy attaches girl’s head to a robot body.
Portlandia: Rat’s Book
Tired of the way rats are always getting slandered by humans, a trio of hipster rodents decide to write a book telling their side of the story. Featuring the voices of Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein.
What is Music?
Given a brief quiz on music, these kids provide some of the best — if not most accurate — answers possible.
Unlocking the Truth
Watch out, America: these sixth-grade metalheads from Flatbush, Brooklyn are on a mission to rock your socks off.
The Deep End
Hand-drawn animation using ink, white-out and coffee.