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.
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.
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.
More Than A Selfie 2020
How many selfies do you take and like? You are so much more than one image could capture. This shorts compilation shares stories of developing or accepting one’s own identity. The stories from around the world include a young woman who is torn wanting to do well at school but at what cost…? A girl who hates her name until she finds out who it’s from and a young man with a talent for photography… with film! These stories (and others) might expand the way you identify with the world around you.
Multi-national / in English or with English subtitles / 74 min / 13+ (profanity, parental alcoholism)
Film lineup is subject to change without notice.
A Million Eyes
A gifted young photographer, grappling with his mother’s alcoholism, sets out to capture something he loves.
USA, 2019 / in English / Richard Raymond / 24 min / Live Action.
Post No Bills
On an urban city wall plastered with posters Noodle Boy must face his fears and make his way through a series of obstacles and challenges in order to save Miss Fortune from the city’s clean up crew.
Canada, 2018 / no dialogue / Robin Hayes / 6 min / Animation.
She Who Wasn’t Tamed
Hanie, a highschool student tries her best to not to disappoint her parents and her teacher at the poetry competition. After meeting Ghazal her priorities change significantly.
Iran, 2019 / in Farsi with English subtitles / Saleh Kashefi / 15 min / Live Action.
Dela
Dela is a beautiful little girl with a mind of her own. She lives with her dad, a cook, on the magical island of Itaparica in Brazil’s Bay of All Saints. Dela does not understand why the kids at school make fun of her name and her hair. But she is determined to sort it out.
Brazil-South Africa, 2019 / in Portuguese with English subtitles / Bernard Attal / 8.5 min / Live Action.
Invincible Boy
A wildly imaginative boy’s mission to become a superhero is challenged when his optimistic view of the world begins to crumble.
USA, 2019 / in English / Julian Park / 20 min / Live Action.
Represent
A young man’s world is turned upside down during a school field trip to the art museum.
USA, 2019 / in English / Chris Heck / 6 min / Live Action.
Passionate Pursuits
Collection short synopsis:
People with a passion so strong, they live, practice, or focus more effort towards their goal than anything else they know. Get inspired, do stuff! This reel includes a muralist that wants to inspire creative action, two Palestinian boys needing one more soccer card for their collection and a flamingo that gives it his all on gymnastic rings. What’s your passionate pursuit?
Multi-national / In English or w/English subtitles / 75 min / Age 10+ / (one scene full of profanities)
Film lineup is subject to change without notice.
Gunpowder
A man runs out of gunpowder tea and goes through one heck of a time trying to get more!
France, 2019 / no dialogue / Romane Faure, Nathanael Perron, Léa Detrain, Benoît de Geyer d’Orth, Pei-Hsuan Lin, Anne-Lise Kubiak / 5.5 min / Animation.
ATHLETICUS: Anneaux en gymnastique artistique
A pink flamingo manages a great score on the gymnastic rings…? Something is fishy here!
France, 2019 / no dialogue / Nicolas Deveaux / 2 min / Animation.
Maradona’s Legs
During the 1990 World Cup, two young Palestinian boys are looking for “Maradona’s legs”; the last missing sticker that they need in order to complete their world cup album and win a free Atari.
Germany-Palestine, 2019 / in Arabic with English subtitles / Firas Khoury / 20 min / Live Action.
My Letter to the Oil Men
Papilou is a fourteen year old boy in Nigeria that lives on the edge of a heavily polluted piece of land. His backyard contains thousands of liters of crude oil due to a leak in a pipe. It affected the food grown around him. It forced his now separated family to move to the city. Papilou wants the oil pollution to be cleaned up. He writes a letter to Shell Oil who is responsible for the pollution. A protest has to start somewhere.
Netherlands-Nigeria, 2019 / in English / Xander de Boer / 15 min / Documentary.
Katapult
During the fall of the Soviet Union the thirteen-year-old Nana comes from America to a small village near Budapest, where she meets Gau, a boy her age whom she befriends immediately. When her visit to Hungary comes to an end, the friends have to say a painful goodbye. Oceans apart, Gau hatches a plan to reunite with Nana… using a catapult?! Love has no bounds.
Hungary, 2019 / in Hungarian with English subtitles / Balázs Szövényi-Lux / 27 min / Live Action.
Comfort
You can outgrow the bedroom you grew up in but you really never leave it behind.
Australia, 2019 / no dialogue / Matthew Koh / 4 min / Animation.
Five Minutes to Sea
The mother issues her decree: before you get back in the water, you have to take a break and sit quietly for five minutes. For the little girl, these five minutes feel like hours. Time slows down all around her as she watches bathers enjoy a day at the beach.
Russia, 2018 / in Russian with English subtitles / Natalia Mirzoyan / 7 min / Animation.
199 little heroes: Cynthia from Burundi
12 year old Cynthia lives in the poorest area of Burundi. Both parents died from Malaria. Her days start with fetching water without having any breakfast. She walks miles to school daily to seek an education with hopes of becoming a member of Parliament some day.
Germany-Burundi, 2018 / in Kirundi with English subtitles / Lina Luzyte / 12 min / Documentary.
Spirit: A Martian Story
NASA sought evidence of life on Mars. That search begins with water, and the search for water begins with the study of the rocks and the soil. That was the historic mission of the rovers SPIRIT and OPPORTUNITY. This is SPIRIT’S story.
USA, 2019 / in English / Stimson Snead / 10.5 min / Animation-Documentary.
Romy’s recently divorced mom needs help with after school daycare for ten-year-old Romy. Her grandmother Stinereluctantly offers to look after her granddaughter in her apartment above her hair salon. This arrangement allows Romy to see her Grandmother in a completely different light. At first witnessing Stine’s emotional aloofness and careless, forgetful ways she quickly comes to realize her grandmother is suffering from oncoming dementia. Now she and Romy realize they need to rely on each other to get through their days together. As memories fade the love grows stronger between them.
Netherlands-Germany / 2019 / Dutch with English subtitles / 89 min / Ages 10+ (divorce, difficult struggles for a grandparent)
Raised since infancy at a German astronaut training facility can lead to some interesting personality traits. Self reliant, confident and one of a kind could all be said to describe 11 year old Rocca. With her father on a space mission she must now attend a normal school for the first time. Her carefree and uber-confident ways instantly stand out. From the class bully to the homeless man she befriends on the way to school, the world around Rocca can’t help but be changed by her fearless optimism and caring for others as she herself learns to adjust to the new world around her.
Germany / 2019 / German with English subtitles / 101 min / Ages 10+ (early life tragedy, bullying, some profanity)
Their swords drawn and mighty laser guns at the ready, Sune, his younger brother and his best friend Sophie regularly embark on epic fantasy battles. Yet as the summer holidays draw to an end, ten-year-old Sune has a different challenge waiting for him in the real world: a new classmate, whose name is also Sune. This new boy is making quite an impression on the other students and even Sophie too! In fear of losing Sophie to his namesake and eventual nemesis, Sune decides to reinvent himself, with tumultuous consequences. Sometimes being yourself IS the best way to be!
Sweden / 2018 / In Swedish with English subtitles / 89 min / Ages 8+ (mild profanity)
A fairytale-like adventure that feels like part dream, part reality. A young man crash lands on a mysterious island and has to travel across it to find his way out. The challenge is not to get caught by a giant creature that won’t stop pursuing him. Whether the creature is real or just a manifestation of our hero’s inner demons is up for debate. There is something rather rudimentary about the animation itself but the aesthetic only adds to the film’s strange and absorbing power, creating a hypnotizing atmosphere that, in its best moments, manages to spirit us away. Not a word is spoken but the film score speaks volumes.
Latvia / 2019 / no dialog / 75 min / Ages 10+ (malevolent creature that will not stop chasing)