A special presentation of international animation for children will brighten up the big screen at the Vashon Theatre this weekend.
Two matinees, slated for Saturday and Sunday afternoons, are coming to the Island courtesy of Children’s Film Festival Seattle, which is presented each January by Northwest Film Forum.
A disclaimer: I’m a big fan of this festival, not only because it is colorful, fun and enchanting, but also because I’ve been the director of it since 2006. In the hours that I’m not working as arts editor of The Beachcomber, I can frequently be found holed up in a dark room at Northwest Film Forum, watching children’s films made by acclaimed filmmakers and up-and-coming new auteurs from all over the world.
So it’s a special treat to share some of my favorite films from the 2011 festival with Vashon audiences.
The first program, “All Creatures Great and Small” is filled with gentle short films for tiny first-time movie goers, and will be shown on Saturday. These shorts — from filmmakers in Argentina, Canada, Japan, the United States, Germany, Sweden and Taiwan — are all about critters and creatures including snails, bugs, leprechauns, sheep, elephants, tigers and fireflies.
Most of the films are nonverbal or in English, but a few have simple subtitles — a chance to snuggle close and read out loud to your little one.
The second program, “A World of Animation from Children’s Film Festival Seattle,” will be shown on Sunday. The stories in this international collection are full of magic — from a tale about a runaway pancake to a clay animation film about a tiny stone that longs to fly through the air. Viewers will also meet a sweet talking shell and a bespectacled princess who saves the day. The longest film in the program, an award-winning short from England called “Lost and Found,” tells a story of friendship and adventure that will have kids on the edge of their seats and grownups reaching for their handkerchiefs.
Both programs are about an hour long — just enough time for a whirlwind celluloid carpet ride around the world. I hope to see you there.
