Providence Children's Film Festival | coming of age Archives - Page 3 of 9

PCFF 2021 WINNER Special Jury Award Best Narrative Feature!

Jack raves about his younger brother Gio, whom he believes to have superpowers. As he grows older he realizes that his brother is special in other ways. In a moment of uncertainty, Jack decides to deny having a brother from his classmates. But he failed to take into account that a brother like Gio is a personality impossible to deny to anyone. The consequences are a hard lesson learned in this poignant, humorous coming-of-age-story full of clashing emotions. Will Jack dare be as natural as his brother? Based on a true story.

We are delighted to be able to re-present this Festival Flashback from five years ago!

Cathy’s tenth birthday is tough enough without her eccentric father giving her an egg as a gift along with a warning: “Be there when it is born so the bird recognizes YOU as its mother.” After a game of hide-and-seek goes awry, Cathy’s friend Margaux unknowingly becomes the “mother.” Unfortunately for the bird and Margaux, her parents believe Margaux is unable to care for this pet from her wheelchair. It takes a duckling, a great friend, and a temporary flight from home to alter everyone’s understanding of life’s limitations.

2016 Festival Flashback!! Five years ago we invited this thought-provoking documentary to our festival. With the situation in the Middle East still far from resolution, this film speaks volumes about the hurdles people face to live in peace.

ALMOST FRIENDS is a documentary about two Israeli girls—an Arab and a Jew—who live only 40 miles away but in many ways live worlds apart. Participating in an online program that fosters educational exchange and friendship, the two girls correspond with caution and eventually meet face-to-face. The experience is profoundly moving for them, their families, and the audiences who see this touching film. But when conflict spans generations, change is slow and “almost” anything might be a start…

THE CLUB OF UGLY CHILDREN (Netherlands, 2019)

This action-packed thriller unfolds in a dystopian world led by a new president whose motto, “Keep it Clean,” means rounding up kids who don’t meet his view of ideal looking citizens. Paul, his big sister, and their band of friends refuse 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! A stark warning against the rise of the far-right and the power of activism and social media.

Youth Filmmaker Show

Double Vida
Two countries, one teen and her journey discovering that home does not need to be a place.
USA, 2019 / In English and Spanish (w/English subtitles) / Sharleny Gonzalez (age 15?) of Real to Reel Film School – Lynn, MA / 2 min / Documentary

Ceci N’est Toujours Pas Une Pipe (Ceci N’est Toujours Pas Une Pipe)
There is excitement in the museum as an artist gets ready to present his ultimate work… with a desire of vengeance…
Belgium, 2019 / In French (w/English subtitles) / Twelve kids ages 15-17 of Camera-Etc Film School – Liege, Belgium / 7 min / Animation

How to Make a Movie
The title says it all. Just ask Google!
USA, 2019 / no dialogue / Gabe Schmidt (age 17) of Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy – Cincinnati, OH / 5 min / Documentary-ish

I Forgive You
A young girl ruminates over the loss of a friend by suicide and comes to terms with her anguish and anger.
USA, 2019 / In English / Anna Hughes (age 17?) of Beacon Charter High School for the Arts – Woonsocket, RI / 4 min / Documentary

Noise
A gong is sounded and has multiple effects on different people.
Japan, 2019 / In English / Akito, Zeniti, Clara and Leticia (ages 15-17) of Gunma Kokusai Academy, Nippaku Gakuen and Colégio Pitágoras Brasil Ota – Gunma, Japan / 4 min / Experimental

Dreams
Magical Dreamweavers are attacked by jealous humans In a mythical time of the past.
USA, 2019 / no dialogue / Brooke Boulet (age 17?) of Beacon Charter High School for the Arts – Woonsocket, RI / 2.5 min / Animation

Akuma
A strange creature stalks a secluded home in the woods. Ominous acts just might occur…!
USA, 2019 / in English / Nathaniel Bento (age 17?) of Beacon Charter High School for the Arts – Woonsocket, RI / 6.5 min / Narrative short

Reel It In
A high school field trip where cell phones need to be collected before attending. How can a teen survive?!
USA, 2019 / in English / Casey Lockledge (age 14), Bea McDowell(age 13), Isaac Russell(age 16), Zack White (age 15) of Light House Studio – Charlottesville, VA / 7 min / Narrative short

Lac-note Intolerant
A zombie musical erupts when going for a milk run.
USA, 2019 / in English / Nathaniel “Bertie” Sackson (16), Ana Burman (14), Chantrea Anderson (17), Emma Kaufman-Horner (14), Mallory Greene (15), Max Mongosso (17), Omara English (16), Sidney Musselman (15), Ian Phillips (17),Yutong Dai (12), Ouyang Xuanjie (14), Bryan Guzman (17), Sarah Apple (16) of Light House Studio – Charlottesville, VA / 7 min / Narrative short

Work in Progress
A teenager experiences the frustration and joy of the creative process while sketching her main source of inspiration, her cat.
USA, 2019 / in English / Brianna Giarusso (age 17?) of Beacon Charter High School for the Arts – Woonsocket, RI / 4 min / Narrative short

Hold My Hand
Hold My Hand is a character study about loneliness at sleepaway camp. The film has no dialogue and is made out of only visual moments. It is an honest character based movie about being homesick, a feeling that everyone possesses.
USA, 2019 / in English / Eli Berliner (age 15) of Saint Ann’s School in Brooklyn, NY / 4.5 min / Narrative short

Best Dressed
With the hope of winning a free, custom-made suit, a young man distributes tuxedo rental coupons to his peers, discovering newfound confidence.
USA, 2019 / in English / Andrew Gerstenblatt (age 17) of Barrington High School – Barrington,RI / 4.5 min / Narrative short

BE STRONG. BE KIND. 2020
Empathy allows us to understand and share the feelings of others. Some people have it while others… well let’s say they might need to practice. The stories on this reel hopefully inspire you to see/feel things in another way. They include the extraordinary measures a whale tries to help a songbird, two friends from Fruitistan who didn’t realize they weren’t supposed to like each other and tiger still waiting for his stripes.
Multi-national / in English or with English subtitles / 75 min / Ages 8+

Film lineup is subject to change without notice.

A Tiger With No Stripes
A little tiger decides to take a long journey in search of his stripes.
France-Switzerland, 2018 / no dialogue / Raul ‘Robin’ Morales Reyes / 9 min / Animation.

Apples and Oranges
In the land of Fruitistan, there live two kinds of people – the ‘Applers’ and the ‘Orangees’. Their preferences for apples or oranges divides them from birth into competing societies that belittle and disparage each other. Lines start to blur when two twelve-year-olds Tulip (an Appler) and Daisy (an Orangee) become friends without knowing each other’s background.
India, 2019 / in English or with English subtitles / Rukshana Tabassum / 23 min / Live Action

The Bird and the Whale
The Bird and the Whale is a story about a young whale struggling to find his voice. After straying too far from his family to explore a shipwreck, he discovers it’s sole survivor, a caged songbird. Together they struggle to survive lost at sea.
Ireland, 2018 / no dialogue / Carol Freeman / 7 min / Animation

The Little Doctor

Inclusion Makes the World More Vibrant
A little boy helps his blind mother experience an art gallery in a surprising and unusual way.
Australia, 2017 / in English / Genevieve Clay-Smith / 3 min / Live Action.

Good Heart
In one primeval forest lives a family led by a mother who is strict, wild and at times unhappy. Things change for the better when a puppy is brought home.
Russia, 2018 / no dialogue / Evgeniya Jirkova / 5 min / Animation.

Babou
The school yard can be a challenging place to just be yourself. Sometimes it takes one a brave soul to find the courage within.
France, 2018 / no dialogue / François Narboux / 2 min / Animation.

Athleticus: Course de demi-fond
Flamingos and a tortoise are having a running race around the track. Sometimes a little ingenuity can go a long way.
France, 2018 / no dialogue / François Narboux / 2 min / Animation.

Bearing
It’s tough keeping up with your mom!
Czech Republic, 2019 / no dialogue / Daniela Hýbnerová / 2 min / Animation.

My Sister
A child’s imagination can be stronger than any illness. When a sister gives her younger sibling a pair of special glasses we find out whether this is true.
Portugal, 2017 / no dialogue /André Miranda / 4 min / Live Action-Animation.

My Time
A 12-year-old girl has her first period in class right before giving a presentation. Out of several options she could take, the one she chooses might surprise you.
UK, 2018 / in English /Giulia Gandini / 6 min / Live Action.

What’s My Superpower?
Nalvana feels like all of her friends have some type of superpower. Is she the only kid in town without a special talent? The answer was right in front of her all along.
Canada, 2019 / in English /Justin Heymans / 10 min / Animated.

Beit Byoot
Jameela, a friendly girl wants nothing more than to fit in with the other girls in the playhouse. They bully her attempts to join them. That’s when she meets odd Yasmine and ultimately, must choose between true friendship and being an outcast or having fake friendships and fitting in. The ending may surprise you.
Qatar, 2019 / in Arabic with English subtitles /Mayar Hamdan / 7 min / Live Action.

Bodies in Motion 2020
People express so much through their body language. Sometimes it’s planned like a dance, other times it’s a spontaneous reaction to an environment, or a protest to an injustice done. Be warned that after watching these films you might be inspired to “speak” a different body language. This reel includes a dance in remembrance of a father, spontaneous circus acts in beautiful Ethiopian vistas and animated figures street dancing with real people hoping to survive.
Multi-national / in English, no dialog or with English subtitles / 77 min / Ages 10+ (one animation depicts urban street violence)

Film lineup is subject to change without notice.

Competing for Sunlight: ASH
An inspiring dance between two people to a contemplative Tom Waits song under a canopy of ash trees.
Austria, 2018 / in English / Dagmar Dachauer / 5 min / Live Action.

Yikásdáhí- Awaits the Dawn
A story inspired by a Navajo legend on how, at the beginning of time, the stars were “placed” in the sky.
Argentina, 2018 / no dialogue / Gabriela Clar / 7.5 min / Animation.

End of the Block
End of the Block is a film that combines live dance with stickman animation to create a very compelling piece that illustrates the harsh realities of those who stay versus those who leave a neighborhood of crime and danger.
UK, 2013 / in Portgugese / Kyle Stevenson / 5 min / Live Action-Animation.

Becolored
Our life is made of colors that live in harmony or in contrast with their opposites but always in a system of mutual balance like musical notes.
Italy, 2019 / no dialogue / Maurizio Forestieri / 4.5 min / Animation.

Circus Movements
With the magnificent landscapes of Ethiopia as a backdrop, incredible small circus acts break out in random places. These scenes provide the viewer of both how stunningly beautiful this country really is and of the creative joy of the people living there.
Portugal-Ethiopia, 2019 / no dialogue / Lukas Berger, Mário Gajo de Carvalho / 15 min / Documentary.

The Typewriter
A young typist daydreams of her future filled with ballet.
Netherlands, 2018 / no dialogue / Evelyne du Bois / 1.5 min / Animation.

Muedra
In a desert-scape a strange transformative creature is always on the move to survive another day.

People express so much through their body language. Sometimes it’s planned like a dance, other times it’s a spontaneous reaction to an environment, or a protest to an injustice done. Be warned that after watching these films you might be inspired to “speak” a different body language. This reel includes a dance in remembrance of a father, spontaneous circus acts in beautiful Ethiopian vistas and animated figures street dancing with real people hoping to survive.

Spain, 2019 / no dialogue / Cesar Díaz Meléndez / 9 min / Animation.

The Juggler
An animated documentary about street jugglers who bring color to the monotonous day of the big cities.
Brazil, 2018 / in Portuguese with English subtitles / Iuri Moreno / 11 min / Animated Documentary.

1 Mètre/Heure
On an airplane wing, a company of snails performs a wonderfully slippery choreography…
France, 2018 / no dialogue / Nicolas Deveaux / 8.5 min / Animation.

Work Out
A successful gym training session is all about maintaining a good rhythm.
UK, 2017 / no dialogue / Joe Wood / 2 min / Animation.

Turbopéra
In a fish shop, once night falls, two soloists interpret with great emotion Verdi’s Traviata offering us a really fancy choreography.
France, 2018 / in Italian / Antoine Marchand, Fabien Meyran, Paul-Eugène Dannaud and Benoit de Geyer d’Orth / 2 min / Animation.

Multi-national / in English, no dialog or with English subtitles / 77 min / Ages 10+ (one animation depicts urban street violence)

Film lineup is subject to change without notice.

As one of the top four youth film festivals in North America, PCFF invites short film compilations from other prestigious festivals to be part of our festival. New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF) VIVA KID FLICKS celebrates Spanish-language and Latino-themed stories in shorts films from around the globe.

NYICFF Viva Kid Flicks: Best Spanish Language and Latino Themed films of New York International Children’s Film Festival
As one of the top four youth film festivals in North America, PCFF invites short film compilations from other prestigious festivals to be part of our festival. New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF) VIVA KID FLICKS celebrates Spanish-language and Latino-themed stories in shorts films from around the globe. Can a fabled stone offer another path for Matilde’s life on her Mexican rancho (HORSE’S STONE)? And the choices we make at mealtime sometimes have a very big impact, especially for a seemingly picky eater with a lot more on his mind in the drama from Spain, FISH . The universal language of wizards bridges cultures from the UK to Cuba in the imaginative doc SPELLIASMOUS .With films from six countries, you’ll experience moving stories and hear how Spanish stories from around the world have their own distinctive flair.

NYICFF Viva Kid Flicks celebra, en cortometrajes de todo el mundo, historias con temática hispana y latina. Puede una legendaria piedra ofrecerle otro camino a la vida de Matilda en su rancho? Y las elecciones que hacemos a veces durante una comida pueden tener un gran impacto, especialmente para un comensal difícil con mucho más en su mente, en el drama español, Fish. El lenguaje universal de los hechiceros tiende puentes entre las culturas de Inglaterra y Cuba en el imaginativo documental Spelliasmous .
Con cortos de seis países, experimentarás historias conmovedoras y escucharás cómo historias en español de muchos lugares del mundo tienen sus propias particularidades. Recomendada para niños de 8 años en adelante.
Multi-national / In Spanish with English subtitles or in English / 65 min / Ages 8+

SPELLIASMOUS
Cuba, Documentary
Ben Garfield, 2018, 3 min
In Spanish with English subtitles
The universal language of wizards bridges cultures in this imaginative doc.
El lenguaje universal de los hechiceros tiende puentes entre culturas en este imaginativo documental.

GINA
Mexico, Animation
David Diomedes Heras, 2018, 9 min
In Spanish with English subtitles
Dancing son jarocho has been Gina’s dream since she was born, but stuck wearing a chicken suit she can’t take off, she’ll have to shake more than just her tail feathers to reach the top.
Bailar son jarocho ha sido el sueño de Gina desde que nació, pero atascada en un traje de pollo que no puede quitarse, tendrá que sacudir más que las plumas de la cola para lograrlo.

STARDUST (Polvo de Estrellas)
Mexico, Live Action
Aldo Sotelo Lázaro, 2017, 14 min
In Spanish with English subtitles
One young man realizes that no matter how humble his surroundings, he can still find a path to reach for the stars.
Un joven se da cuenta de que no importa cuán humildes es su entorno, aún puede encontrar un camino para llegar a las estrellas.

HORSE’S STONE (Piedra de Caballo)
Mexico, Live Action
Cynthia Fernández Trejo, 2017, 20 min
In Spanish with English subtitles
Can a fabled stone offer another path for Matilde’s life on her Mexican rancho?
Puede una piedra legendaria ofrecerle a la vida de Matilde en su rancho un camino diferente?

JESSZILLA
USA, Documentary
Emily Sheskin, 2017, 7 min
In English
A pugilist-in-training, Jess has big boxing aspirations, while her father worries and supports her in one-two alternations of his own.
Una boxeadora en entrenamiento, Jess tiene grandes aspiraciones para su carrera deportiva, mientras su padre se preocupa y la apoya haciendo sus propios movimientos

MI ABUELITA (My Grandmother)
Guatemala, Animation
Giselle Pérez, 2018, 2 min
No dialogue
Like everything Abuelita does, her tamales are filled with love, especially when her granddaughter gets to help out in the kitchen.
Como todo lo que hace la Abuelita, sus tamales están llenos de amor, especialmente cuando su nieta puede ayudarla en la cocina.

FISH (Pez)
Spain, Live Action
Javier Quintas, 2017, 10 min
In Spanish with English subtitles
The choices we make at mealtime sometimes have a very big impact for a seemingly picky eater with a lot more on his mind.
Las elecciones que hacemos durante las comidas a veces tienen un enorme impacto para un aparentemente difícil comensal con mucho en la mente.

There are some films you finish watching and your only response is, “What was THAT?! Let’s watch it again!” Those films are BIZARRO!. You will ruminate on why slugs have no legs.. what it might look like if letters on signs succumbed to gravity and wonder why is Teddy Roosevelt in this film?! Filmmakers think of some pretty crazy but wonderful things.

Multi-national / In English or with English subtitles / 72 min / Age 13+

Magic Carpet Ride 2020
Jump on the PCFF magic carpet and get ready to ride! Every year we explore the cinematic wonders of the world from many different countries. No genie needed! The stories this year include giraffes giving some sound basketball shooting tips to an elephant, a group of forest animals having their own Tour de France and a squirrel conductor preparing for a nocturnal opera. This year’s reel will transport you from as close as New York City to as far away as Russia.

Multi-national / in English or no dialog / 70 min /All Ages

Film lineup is subject to change without notice.

Maestro
Deep into a forest, a gathering of wild animals start a nocturnal opera, conducted by a squirrel.
France, 2019 / no dialogue / Illogic / 2 min / Animation.

A Town Called Panic – The County Fair
Cowboy and Indian use time travel to figure out where Horse left the tickets to the County Fair. Sounds weird and confusing? You bet it is… and very funny!
France-Belgium, 2019 / in English / Vincent Patar, Stéphane Aubier / 26 min / Animation.

Athleticus: Gardien de gymnase
When giraffes offer you basketball shooting advice, you take it! Especially if you’re shooting with a trunk.

France, 2019 / no dialogue / Nicolas Deveaux / 2 min / Animation.

Last Day of Autumn
Forest animals gather one last time before winter arrives to have a friendly bike race through the woods.
France-Switzerland-Belgium, 2019 / no dialogue / Marjolaine Perreten / 7.5 min / Animation.

My Volcano
My Volcano tells the story of a difficult friendship between a volcano and a kid who lives on a volcanic island.
Netherlands, 2019 / in English / Sarah Pannekoek / 2.5 min / Animation.

Flipped
FLIPPED explores the absurdity of a world where the roles of kids and adults are switched.
UK, 2018 / no dialogue / Hend Esmat, Lamiaa Diab / 5 min / Animation.

He Who Tamed the Clouds
At the top of a canyon the old Indian Flying Shadow teaches the young Nayati the ancient art of smoke signals.
France, 2015 / no dialogue / Nicolas Bianco-Levrin / 4.5 min / Animation.

Slurp
A grandmother’s eating style inspires her grandson to become a problem solver.
France, 2017 / no dialogue / Florent Hill / 4 min / Live Action.

Jules & Jett Fly a Kite
A brother and sister robot solve problems and have adventures together. And like with most siblings, sometimes they get into trouble along the way.
USA, 2019 / in English / Tony Dusko / 1.5 min / Animation.

The Imaginary Friends Shop
Edgar, a mysterious artisan who owns a little hidden shop, meets the sweet Lucie, a little girl with dreaming eyes and a curious request.
Italy, 2019 / no Dialogue / 6 min / Animation.