Festival Year: 2018

films

Zoo

Delve into the Irish WWII experience by following a group of determined youngsters who band together for a cause bigger—much bigger—than themselves. When Tom’s father, a veterinarian for the Belfast Zoo, is called away to war, Tom feels its his duty to ensure the well-being of the animals, including its newest addition, a baby elephant. But the impending German air raids and short-sighted decisions of the Zoo staff threaten to endanger the animals, and Tom must act quickly in this inspired-by-true-life tale of family, friendship, and empathy.   Presented with support from
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White Fang

NYICFF alum and Oscar-winning short director Alexandre Espigares returns with his feature debut, a thrilling and thought-provoking adaptation of Jack London’s classic tale. White Fang and his fellow canines call the rugged beauty of the Yukon territory home, but with the Gold Rush of the 1890s they are thrust against the harsh life of profit-seeking prospectors. Will the tribal leader or a new peacekeeping couple offer White Fang another path? February 24 screening followed by special reception for members (level 35mm+) and All-Access pass holders   presented with support from    
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Sing Song

Breathing life into the musical genre and shining light on a rarely represented corner of the world, Sing Song is a celebration of finding your roots and voice. When 16-year-old Jasmine is invited to participate in a singing contest in Suriname, she accepts the chance to visit the homeland she’s never seen. But she’s not there just to sing. She’s on a secret search for her family, developing artistic self-discipline and deepening her cultural and self-awareness in this uplifting tale that hits all the right notes. Note: underage character visits nightclub, where she learns of estranged mother’s rumored substance abuse. presented with support from          
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Room 213

Room 213 has been unoccupied for 60 years. That is, until 12-year-old Elvira and her camp roommates Bea and Meja move in. Soon enough, mysterious things begin happening that might be explained by a jealous tween camper… or a good old-fashioned haunting! As the spooks and and stakes reach a fever pitch, the girls’ friendship blooms into a formidable force for good.
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Next Door Spy

Girl detective—check! Skater boy—check! You think you’ve got the stock characters down, but snoop around with the witty and wise Next Door Spy and you’ll find that things aren’t quite what they seem. Ten-year-old Agathe-Christine (AC, if you ask her) loves a good mystery. When her family moves to a new town that’s seemingly full of them, AC will need to turn her crackerjack detective skills inward to go beyond first impressions and unlock the key to friendship.   presented with support from
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March of the Penguins 2: The Next Step

Twelve years after its first big splash, March of the Penguins returns in grand form with its inimitable narrator Morgan Freeman, and NYICFF offers the unique opportunity to see the film gloriously on the big screen prior to its HULU premiere March 23. The emperor penguins’ arduous journey is even more urgent in the face of climate change, and more impressive, featuring awe-inspiring imagery made possible by cutting-edge 4K cinematography and underwater camerawork. Now a new generation of black-and-white heroes steal the show, sometimes fuzzy, sometimes sleek, but ever charming, curious, dignified, skillful, and devoted. Follow parents and children alike as they heed nature’s call to bridge sea, land, and generations to survive.
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Lu Over the Wall

Kai’s quiet life in a traditional Japanese seaside town finally starts to rock and roil when he secretly joins a band with his classmates. His true interest is where they practice—on the foreboding Merfolk Island—a place that turns out to be even wilder than the town lore suggests. Enter Lu: a mermaid girl with the soul and voice of a pop star, who steals the show in this shape-shifting, musical/anime hybrid. February 23 screening followed by special reception for members (level 35mm+) and All-Access pass holders Presented with support from
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Liyana

Liyana is a thrilling, beautifully-illustrated fictional tale of a young girl on a perilous quest to reunite with her brothers. At the same time, it’s a compelling documentary following the lives of five amazing children from an orphanage in Swaziland. Together with their wonderful storytelling teacher, these bright and captivating youngsters transform their difficult experiences through narrative to collectively craft Liyana’s tale. An ode to the power of storytelling and the strength of the human spirit, Liyana is an uplifting, genre-defying film not to be missed. Note: while sensitively handled, film deals with challenging family histories and lingering impact of HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa. Co-presented with the Museum of Modern Art’s Documentary Fortnight
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Horus, Prince of the Sun

NYICFF’s Festival Flashback celebrates the golden anniversary of a mythical tale from famed Studio Ghibli founders Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki—a film some say sparked the birth of anime. In this East-meets-West take on The Sword in the Stone, Japanese Ainu legend is transposed to a Norse setting filled with adventure. Enter our hero Horus, who ventures through snowy land and Ghibli-esque sea journeys to save a village from evil Grunwaald. He meets a new friend, the regal but mysterious Hilda, who may be more complicated than Horus could ever imagine…   Presented with support from
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Hilda

Join us for this exclusive world premiere of Hilda, adapted from UK author Luke Pearson’s captivating and best-selling series of graphic novels by Mercury Filmworks/Silvergate. Follow the adventures of bright and fearless blue-haired Hilda, her adorable deerfox Twig, and her artist mom as they travel from their home in a vast magical wilderness full of elves and giants to the bustling city of Trolberg. This vividly animated fantasy adventure is inspired by strange Scandinavian folklore and evokes the films of Studio Ghibli. The Hilda series will launch as a Netflix Original in Fall 2018.
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Big Fish & Begonia

An astonishing work of animation over a decade in the making, Big Fish & Begonia crosses worlds, unleashes the elements, and pushes our understanding of fate itself. Thoughtful Chun comes from an unseen world responsible for Earth’s wellbeing. When she crosses into our planet, she develops a bond with a human boy who sacrifices his life for hers. Big Fish & Begonia draws on fascinating Chinese mythology to show Chun’s epic journey to return the favor.
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The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales

From the director of Oscar®-nominated Ernest & Celestine (NYICFF 2013), The Big Bad Fox is a three-part tale that will have you howling! A pig takes over a stork’s duties, hopping planes, trains, and automobiles to make a delivery. A fox strives to be seen as big and bad instead of sweet and silly. And a bird is desperate to swap roles from Christmas Duck to Father Christmas in this hilarious trifecta of animated stories about farmyard animals with big dreams. Note: recommended ages 5+ for French speakers
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Belle & Sebastian, Friends for Life

A Festival favorite returns with the conclusion of this celebrated French trilogy, capping the adventures of Sebastian and his devoted dog, Belle. In the French Alps circa WWII, Sebastian, happy in his rural village with Belle and her pups, is unsettled when he overhears news of a potential move. Even more disturbing is the stranger who appears, claiming Belle as his own. It will take all of Sebastian’s determination and devotion to those he loves to surmount these challenges in this stunningly filmed series culmination.
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A Series of Unfortunate Events

Join us for an exclusive sneak peek as the delightfully dark and witty Lemony Snicket Series goes from book to screen in Season 2 of the Netflix original. The ever-intrepid if hard-luck Baudelaire triplets—Violet, Klaus, and Sunny—are back, still plagued by the evil Count Olaf (Neil Patrick Harris). The challenges mount, but shabby disguises, nefarious schemes, and very big words don’t faze this resourceful trio—they won’t relent until they unlock the secret to their parents’ disappearance and enlighten a few less-literate adults along the way. Season 2 launches March 30, only on Netflix.
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