After the U.S.A., France is the country that submits the most films and we are glad they do (plus Canada too)! This reel comprises multiple shorts with a wide range of narratives about unique lives. Weasels sell neckties in the forest, a hummingbird comes to the rescue of a family of sloths and a kitten cannon is used to win a race down a mountain…? Thrills, chills and meows!  

FILMS AND FILM LINE-UP ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

THE DRIFTING GUITAR – A serenely beautiful animation that introduces us to a wide range of interesting characters including a weasel selling neckties, a hedgehog looking for a friend and a capybara that will play his concertina at the drop of a dime. A story of evolving and rediscovering friendships that warms the heart. (2024 / 30 mins / France / dir. Sophie Roze / in French and Spanish w/English subtitles)

THE EAGLE AND THE KINGLET (L’Aigle et le roitelet) – Birds of a forest gather to determine who among them will be their leader. The eagle arrogantly assumes the role. “Not so fast!” a kinglet responds and challenges him with a winner rules all wager. How does the tiny kinglet stand a chance? (2024 / 6 mins / France / dir. Paul Jadoul / in French w/English subtitles)

THE LEGEND OF THE HUMMINGBIRD (La Légende du colibri) – Appearances can be deceiving. A fire breaks out in the Amazon rainforest, and frightened animals flee their habitat to take refuge on the other bank. Only a little hummingbird persists in fighting the fire when he spots a sloth and its young trapped in the flames. One can’t help thinking while the sloths move, “Pick up the pace!!!” Sloth tension is the worst! (2025 / 10 mins / France / dir. Morgan Devos / no dialogue)

SOAP BOX (Boîte à savon) – A group of kids gather to compete in the annual soap box race down the Mountain of the Muertay. Hubert will try to win the race for the first time in order to charm Anouk. Other competitors are not what they appear to be especially after the kitten cannon gets fired. Delightfully weird and wacky and whoop-whoop! (2024 / 16 mins / Canada / dir. Jimmy G. Pettigrew / in French w/English subtitles)

STORMY WEATHER (Le temps des orages) – Summer family vacations often create memories to last a lifetime. Swimming in lakes, playing board games and making incredible meals. For Gabrielle, it was a time to confront her fears of the sun and thunderstorms (and maybe outhouses!). (2023 / 12 mins / Canada / dir. Gabrielle Gingras / in French w/English subtitles)

MARSEILLE – A group of youths find a soccer ball to kick around the city on game day. The city streets become electric the closer to game time kick off. A little mayhem ensues and a well placed kick of the ball saves the day! (2025 / 7 mins / France / dirs. Wassim Bekhtaoui, Léa Beraud, Romeo Costa, Yanis Graca, Bryan Kacioui, Loubna Khider / in French w/English subtitles)

NEXT? – Half-animal, half-human creatures meet at a speed-dating dance event where they explore their differences and difficulties communicating. When a lovestruck anteater falls for a shrew, he gets caught up in this courtship ballet.  (2024 / 9 mins / France / dir. Christel Guibert / no dialogue)