Genre: Further Reading

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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.

Note: Some mature language and threat of menace
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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?

Note: Depicts alcoholic parent
films

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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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!
films

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.
films

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.
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

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:
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:
programs

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:
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:
programs

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
programs

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.
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 
programs

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:
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 
films

Zip & Zap and the Marble Gang

Fresh from premieres at Sundance and Toronto, Zip & Zap is one of the most talked about family films on the festival circuit — a classic mystery adventure in the vein of Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, and The Goonies. As if school during summer vacation wasn’t punishment enough, brothers Zip and Zap find themselves under the watchful eye-patch of Headmaster Falconetti, a toy-loathing, no-nonsense disciplinarian intent on transforming his unruly students into productive members of society. Unwilling to waste their summer following rules, they recruit some fellow students to form the secretive Marble Gang, whose members are committed to making life miserable for their totalitarian headmaster and his staff. What starts out as a series of innocent pranks leads them to a dark discovery — and a cryptic map that promises abundant treasure. With Falconetti’s Doberman nipping at their heels, the Marble Gang dashes through secret passageways, dark caverns and trap doors as they solve riddles, uncover secrets and indulge in a few too many bonbons.
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Beatles

Considering themselves the Fab Four of Oslo, Kim and his three best friends attempt to harness their devotion to the greatest band in the world — the Beatles — into a band of their own. The change that seemed to embody the sixties is echoed in the boys’ own adolescent lives, as complications with girls, parties, protests, family, (did we mention girls?) threaten the bonds of the bandmates. Louis Williams as Kim leads the charming cast of newcomers with as much charisma as Sir Paul himself, while a soundtrack of Beatles songs captures the romance, drama, and playfulness of the times. Based on one of the most beloved novels in Norway and packed with the melodrama synonymous with growing up, BEATLES reminds us that, no matter what form it takes, all you need is love.
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Belle & Sebastian

Belle and Sebastian is a timeless story of a boy and his dog–a story of friendship, courage, and loyalty–set against the jaw-dropping scenery and alpine panoramas of Haute Maurienne-Vanoise region of France. Sebastian lives with his grandfather, Cesar, in a vertiginous mountain village, where he crosses paths with a giant and dirty Pyrenean Mountain Dog who the locals have dubbed “The Beast” for allegedly killing their livestock. But Sebastian sees something good in the misunderstood canine and befriends the animal, renaming her “Belle.” Their budding friendship is put to the test when Nazis march into town looking to root out a band of resistance fighters who are guiding Jewish refugees to neighboring Switzerland. With their intimate knowledge of the nooks and crannies of the alpine valleys, Belle and Sebastian join the struggle and help point the way to safety.
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Belle & Sebastian: The Adventure Continues

The sequel to Festival 2015 Grand Prize winning feature Belle and Sebastian places us back in a sweeping panorama of the French Alps. Sebastian and his best friend, Belle, are on a mission to find Angelina, whose plane crash-landed on her return from the battlefields of WWII. Their bravery is in full force as they partner with a mysterious pilot and a gutsy new kid to take on the countless dangers, obstacles, and secrets they encounter in the expansive terrain. With a wink and a nod to classic family adventure films, Belle and Sebastian: The Adventure Continues is true to its title — bound to satisfy returning fans and win over new ones.
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The Little Prince

One of the world’s most beloved stories gets the big screen treatment in this magical adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s The Little Prince. The Little Girl’s life has been planned to the minute: brief snack breaks and play time dot a rigid schedule designed to take her from prep school to successful adulthood without distraction. But when her new neighbor, The Aviator, literally crashes into her life, studies take a back seat and her imagination takes flight. Her sleek, modern universe is transformed into the beautifully delicate, handcrafted world of The Little Prince as the Aviator shares the story of his curious, planet-hopping friend. It is within these wild worlds where she discovers that what’s truly essential can only be seen with the heart.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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