New York International Children's Film Festival 2022

Closing Night: APOLLO 10½: A Space Age Childhood

United States | East Coast Premiere

Richard Linklater, 2022, 97 min

Feature

Recommended ages: 13+

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In English

Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood tells the story of the first moon landing in the summer of 1969 from two interwoven perspectives – the astronaut and mission control view of the triumphant moment, and through the eyes of a kid growing up in Houston, Texas who has intergalactic dreams of his own. Taking inspiration from Academy Award-nominated® filmmaker Richard Linklater’s own life, this snapshot of American life in the 1960s is part coming-of-age, part societal commentary, and part out-of-this-world adventure.

Saturday, March 19th, 6:15pm

SVA Theatre

Followed by livestream Q&A with director Richard Linklater

Bangla Surf Girls

Bangladesh, Canada | Online Exclusive!

Elizabeth D Costa, 2021, 92 min

Feature

Recommended ages: 12+

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In Bengali, with English subtitles

In the water, Bangladeshi teens Suma, Ayesha, and Shobe are mighty, riding ocean waves with a fluidity, ease and mastery. On land, their lives are more tethered by lack of resources, patriarchal limitations, and generational divides. Bangla Surf Girls is a beautifully observed coming-of-age documentary that follows these three teenage girls over the course of three years, capturing the rare sense of agency they find by joining a surf club as they fight insurmountable odds to pursue their dreams.

Through Wednesday, April 6th

Virtual

Best Birthday Ever

Germany, Netherlands, Sweden | New York Premiere

Michael Ekblad, 2021, 82 min

Feature

Recommended ages: 3-5

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In English

Little Charlie is a small rabbit who lives with his loving family and pets in a house at the edge of town. Like many five-year-olds, he goes to a kindergarten and plays with his friends in the neighborhood, basking in the delight of his parents’ complete attention. But all of that changes with the arrival of his baby sister, Clara. When the chance for adventure with his best friend, Monica, arises, Little Charlie—eager to make his own mark and maybe a little jealous—hops to it.

Through Wednesday, April 6th

Virtual

Charlotte

Belgium, Canada, France | New York Premiere

Tahir Rana & Eric Warin, 2021, 92 min

Feature

Recommended ages: 14+

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In English

Charlotte is a testament to the power of art to endure, affront, and thrive, even in the face of impossible circumstances. This beautifully rendered animation is based on the true-to-life story of Charlotte Salomon, a young aspiring Jewish painter living in Germany during the Nazis rise to power. Note: film contains intense moments depicting the reality of World War II Europe, suicide, and sexual content

Saturday, March 12th, 5:45pm

SVA Theatre

Followed by Q&A with producer Julia Rosenberg

DisneyNature’s Polar Bear

United States | Special Preview Screening

Alastair Fothergill & Jeff Wilson, 2022, 95 min

Special Program

Recommended ages: Rated PG

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In English

See it before it hits theaters! Narrated by two-time Academy Award® nominee Catherine Keener (Capote, Being John Malkovich), Disneynature’s Polar Bear tells the story of a new mother whose memories of her own youth prepare her to navigate motherhood in the increasingly challenging world that polar bears face today.

Sunday, March 13th, 1:30pm

SVA Theatre

Opening Spotlight: Gagarine

France | New York Festival Theatrical Premiere

Fanny Liatard & Jérémy Trouilh, 2022, 102 min

Special Program

Recommended ages: 13+

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In French, with English subtitles

From the heights of his apartment, Yuri dreams of becoming an astronaut, while on the ground he utilizes his engineering know-how to keep his home base humming. But when plans to demolish his community’s home are leaked, Yuri joins the resistance.

Saturday, March 5th, 5:45pm

SVA Theatre

I Am What I Am

China | New York Premiere

Haipeng Sun, 2021, 104 min

Feature

Recommended ages: 9+

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In Chinese, with English subtitles

Gyun and his buddies are traversing the enormity of the vast Chinese countryside as their own ragtag troupe. With hard work, athleticism, and a reluctant dance-champ-turned-fishmonger Sifu to coach them, they begin to outwit their competitors by harnessing their perceived weaknesses.

Saturday, March 5th, 1:30pm

SVA Theatre

Saturday, March 12th, 11:00am

SVA Theatre

It’s a Summer Film!

Japan

Soushi Matsumoto, 2020, 97 min

Feature

Recommended ages: 10+

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In Japanese, with English subtitles

When Barefoot gets the chance to produce her own screenplay for a high school project, it’s both a dream come true and an enormous challenge—especially with all of the support and attention going to a competing student’s cheesy, soft-focus romcom. So Barefoot mobilizes a crew to shoot the film in one summer, guerilla-style.

Sunday, March 6th, 3:30pm

SVA Theatre

Kids Cup

Denmark, Finland, Norway | New York Premiere

Line Hatland, 2021, 90 min

Feature

Recommended ages: 10+

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English, In Arabic, In Chinese, In Portuguese, Norwegian, with English subtitles

The Norway Cup is the world’s biggest soccer tournament for kids, and tough teams overcome enormous challenges—on and off the pitch—to play in it.

Sunday, March 6th, 1:30pm

SVA Theatre

Followed by Q&A with director Line Hatland & father/son subjects the Ponelas

Through Wednesday, April 6th

Virtual

Opening Night: Where Is Anne Frank

Belgium, France, Israel, Luxembourg, Netherlands | East Coast Premiere

Ari Folman, 2021, 99 min

Special Program

Recommended ages: 9+

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In English

Kitty is the most famous imaginary friend in history, created in the ink-filled pages of Anne Frank’s diary. When she suddenly materializes in the near future as a fully-fledged girl, she can neither find her friend nor understand why her home is now a tourist attraction. Aided by a resourceful pickpocket, a group of young refugees, and modern jeans and sneakers, Kitty sets out to solve the mystery.

Friday, March 4th, 6:30pm

SVA Theatre

The Last Glaciers

United States | World Premiere

Craig Leeson, Malcolm Wood, 2022, 40 min

Feature

Recommended ages: 10+

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In English

Free event! IMAX presents The Last Glaciers, a global adventure following filmmaker Craig Leeson and United Nations Mountain Hero & Entrepreneur, Malcolm Wood as they push the limits of extreme sports using para-alpinism to explore the causes and effects of climate change.

Saturday, March 19th, 11:30am

AMC 34th Street 14

Followed by Q&A with director Craig Leeson

Moominvalley: The Lonely Mountain

Finland, United Kingdom | North American Premiere

Nigel Davies, Darren Robbie, Jay Grace, 2022, 22 min

Feature

Recommended ages: 6+

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In English

Sometimes even the best of friends need a little space to themselves, so when Snufkin sets out on a mountain trip solo, both he and Moomintroll must learn to balance the fine art of togetherness and time to grow on your own.

Through Wednesday, April 6th

Virtual

Moominvalley

Finland, United Kingdom | North American Premiere

Nigel Davies, Darren Robbie, Jay Grace, 2022, 66 min

Feature

Recommended ages: 6+

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In English

Tove Jansson’s delightful universe is back, premiering exclusively at NYICFF with all the Moomincapers you could ever wish for in three new episodes.

Sunday, March 6th, 10:30am

SVA Theatre

Sunday, March 13th, 10:45am

SVA Theatre

Opening Night: Oink

Belgium, Netherlands | North American Premiere

Mascha Halberstad, 2022, 73 min

Feature

Recommended ages: 7+

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In Dutch, with English subtitles

Babs’ grandfather, an American with a curiously rootin tootin’ cowboy accent, suddenly appears on the scene, he just may be the key to her perfect pet. Instead, he finds Oink, a lovable if constantly, er, digesting, pig, whom he gifts to Babs.

Friday, March 4th, 6:00pm

SVA Theatre

Followed by Q&A with director Mascha Halberstad and producer Marleen Slot

Sunday, March 13th, 11:15am

SVA Theatre

Pompo The Cinephile

Japan

Takayuki Hirao, 2021, 94 min

Feature

Recommended ages: 9+

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In English

If you’re reading this, chances are you like movies. You’ll feel right at home with Pompo, the talented and gutsy producer whose love of cinema is unflinching and unapologetic. One day, Pompo turns her uncanny eye for talent to her movie-loving but apprehensive assistant Gene, selecting him to make his directorial debut with her latest script.

Saturday, March 12th, 6:45pm

SVA Theatre

Saturday, March 19th, 3:30pm

SVA Theatre

Poupelle of Chimney Town

Japan

Yusuke Hirota, 2020, 100 min

Feature

Recommended ages: Rated PG

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In English

Poupelle of Chimney Town is the story of young Lubicchi living among the thick smoke from the chimneys of his isolated town, yearning to see the “stars” — to know the truth — his father always told him about.

Sunday, March 6th, 12:45pm

SVA Theatre

Saturday, March 12th, 3:00pm

SVA Theatre

SWOP

Netherlands | World Premiere

Job, Joris & Marieke, 2022, 60 min

Feature

Recommended ages: 7+

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In Dutch, with English subtitles

This new series follows three wacky friends Sef, Wesley, and Marjory. One day, they discover an abandoned washing machine with mysterious powers: it lets you swap heads with someone else!

Saturday, March 5th, 12:45pm

SVA Theatre

Followed by Q&A with directors Job, Joris, & Marieke with producer Marleen Slot

Sunday, March 13th, 1:00pm

SVA Theatre

The Ape Star

Denmark, Norway, Sweden

Linda Hambäck, 2021, 73 min

Feature

Recommended ages: 6+

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In English

Though Jonna’s home is filled with wonderful kids and a caring guardian, she can’t help but pin her hopes on one day being adopted. When that long-awaited day finally arrives, she learns that love comes in all shapes, sizes, and, er, creatures…like the enormous ape with the equally enormous heart who wants to take Jonna home.

Saturday, March 5th, 4:30pm

SVA Theatre

To the Bright Side

China |

Xiya Lan, Nianze Li, Yi Zhao, Kun Yu, Gaoxiang Liu, Maoning Liu, & Chen Chen, 2021, 83 min

Feature

Recommended ages: 7+

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In Mandarin, with English subtitles

Though the protagonists range from a family of rabbits, a boy doing his homework at his parents’ restaurant, or a child and his grandmother in the countryside, all tell a unique stories of love, challenges, and maturing to the beat of your own drum.

Sunday, March 6th, 4:15pm

SVA Theatre

Through Wednesday, April 6th

Virtual

The Strangest Girl in the World

Argentina

Mariano Cattaneo, 2021, 82 min

Feature

Recommended ages: 9+

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In Spanish, with English subtitles

The colorful world of high school, with its cool kids, chaos, and excitement, is just a pale backdrop for Melién. For her, true thrills are in the mysteries she reads and horror stories she writes that transport her far beyond the tame walls of her bedroom.

Saturday, March 12th, 2:00pm

SVA Theatre

Through Wednesday, April 6th

Virtual

Centerpiece Spotlight: Turning Red

United States | Special Theatrical Presentation

Domee Shi, 2022, 99 min

Special Program

Recommended ages: Rated PG

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In English

Disney and Pixar’s Turning Red introduces Mei Lee (voice of Rosalie Chiang), a confident, dorky 13-year-old torn between staying her mother’s dutiful daughter and the chaos of adolescence. Her protective, if not slightly overbearing mother, Ming (voice of Sandra Oh), is never far from her daughter—an unfortunate reality for the teenager. And as if changes to her interests, relationships and body weren’t enough, whenever she gets too excited (which is practically ALWAYS), she “poofs” into a giant red panda!

Friday, March 11th, 6:30pm

SVA Theatre

Followed by livestream Q&A with director Domee Shi

Zero Gravity

United States

Thomas Verrette, 2021, 74 min

Feature

Recommended ages: 8+

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In English

Zero Gravity follows three middle school innovators and their first-time coach as they learn to navigate the complexities of NASA technology and life as a pre-teen.

Sunday, March 6th, 11:00am

SVA Theatre

Through Wednesday, March 16th

Virtual

Through Wednesday, April 6th

Virtual

Shorts for Tots

Shorts

Recommended ages: 3+

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One small step for a boot, one giant step for a tot will keep you apace in this shorts program filled with gleeful hops of fun.

Through Wednesday, April 6th

Virtual

Bonus: Shorts for Tots 2021

Shorts

Recommended ages: 3+

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In English

Just for our under-5s, we’re bringing back Shorts for Tots 2021!

Through Wednesday, April 6th

Virtual

Short Films One

Shorts

Recommended ages: 5 to 10

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Families abound in all forms in Short Films One, so you’ll have plenty of charmed chances to find your tribe!

Friday, March 4th, 4:15pm

SVA Theatre

Saturday, March 5th, 10:30am

SVA Theatre

Saturday, March 12th, 12:45pm

SVA Theatre

Short Films Two

Shorts

Recommended ages: 8 to 14

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No mismatch here, NYICFF favorite series Mitch-Match returns with a stop-motion volley for Short Films Two’s tales of growing up and making key plays to save the day.

Saturday, March 5th, 11:15am

SVA Theatre

Sunday, March 13th, 3:15pm

SVA Theatre

Through Wednesday, April 6th

Virtual

Short Films Three

Shorts

Recommended ages: 12+

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Searching for connection and striving to make your mark are the core themes that will lead you through a fabulously eclectic collection in Short Films Three.

Sunday, March 13th, 4:15pm

SVA Theatre

Followed by Q&A with "She Dreams at Sunrise" director Camrus Johnson

Girls’ POV: Science on Screen®

Shorts

Recommended ages: 10+

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This year Girls’ POV looks forward, and back, to celebrate stories of young scientists who are trailblazing creative ways to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges.

Saturday, March 5th, 3:15pm

SVA Theatre

Followed by virtual Q&A with documentary subject Gitanjali Rao

Friday, March 11th, 4:15pm

SVA Theatre

Heebie Jeebies

Shorts

Recommended ages: 10+

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They’re baaaack, and creepier than ever: Heebie Jeebies shorts! Join in on some bloody good fun with I’m A Vampire, as Jackie starts to suspect that there’s more to her pallor than her lockdown regime, and hmn, what’s really in her morning “beet” juice special blend?

Saturday, March 12th, 4:30pm

SVA Theatre

¡HOLA NYICFF!

Shorts

Recommended ages: 10+

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You’ve asked if we could screen more Spanish-language films. Our answer? ¡Sí, claro! Our annual program delivers the best Latinx stories from around the world, and not just in Spanish, but also English, and even Portuguese, celebrating the many cultures, histories, identities and languages held within.

Through Wednesday, April 6th

Virtual

Celebrating Black Stories

Shorts

Recommended ages: 10+

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Celebrating Black Stories spotlights shorts from throughout the Festival and around the world that embrace the joy, resilience, and complexity of the lives of Black youth.

Through Wednesday, April 6th

Virtual

March 4-19, 2022

TICKET PRICING

GENERAL ADMISSION: $17

SPECIAL EVENTS: $20

Can't decide?

See it all!

All Access Pass: $475

Membership: from $75

Kids under 5?

get a tots pass

Tots Pass: $22