Kid Flicks Two (Best of 2018 New York International Children’s Film Fest)

With a compelling range of styles and themes, Kid Flicks Two offers clever, thought-provoking films sure to inspire audiences ages 8+ to expand their horizons. In the Grand Prize award-winner Game (USA), AJ has the drive to excel but must push through obstacles to get there. Meanwhile, teamwork takes on different stripes when an odd couple of bears are forced to work together in the hilarious stop-motion short Poles Apart (UK). Plus, the CG-animated wonder Gokurōsama (France) bridges cultures and generations by showing us that even in an automated age, a little human touch can still work wonders.

CAT DAYS
Jiro feels sick. When his father takes him to the doctor, tests confirm it’s nothing serious… and yet reveal surprising news about Jiro. But who says you can’t challenge the results?
Germany/Japan, Animation / Jon Frickey, 2018, 11 min / Japanese with English subtitles

SUPERPERSON
A citizen needs rescuing. Luckily, there’s a superhero on hand who just needs somewhere to get into costume…
Australia, Animation / Philip Watts, 2017, 2min

THE THEORY OF SUNSET
Deep at night, a dedicated cyclist traverses the wintry forest. The challenge: make sure this new day gets off to a fresh and timely start.
Russia, Animation / Roman Sokolov, 2017, 9 min

GOKURŌSAMA
From escalators to robotic vacuums, automation helps this slightly surreal Japanese megamall hum along. But sometimes a little human touch goes a long way…
France, Animation / Clémentine Frère, Aurore Gal, Yukiko Meignien, Anna Mertz, Robin Migliorelli & Romain Salvini, 2016, 7 min

POLES APART
Nanuk, a tough-talking polar bear, meets Aklak, an enthusiastic grizzly, when he encroaches on her own dwindling turf. She’s understandably a little less than patient with his clueless cheer.
UK, Animation / Paloma Baeza, 2017, 12 min

UNDISCOVERED
Sasquatch. Bigfoot. Call him what you will, if you can catch him on camera, that is, in this surprising look behind his elusive nature.
USA, Animation / Sara Litzenberger, 2017, 3 min

GAME
A.J. Green, a new kid in town, shows up at boys’ basketball tryouts and instantly makes an impression. Can it be sustained?
USA , Live Action / Jeannie Donohoe, 2017, 15 min

PIÑATA LOVE
Mexican country craft meets-cute with NYC urban grit in this tale of a near-perfect mâche.
USA, Live Action / Joel Ramirez, 2017, 6 min

HELLO SALAAM
Two boys from Holland are headed on a big journey, traveling to a refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos where their mothers volunteer. How will the boys bridge such big differences in language, culture, and experiences to make friends and build meaningful bonds?
Netherlands, Documentary / Kim Brand, 2017, 15 min / In Dutch and Arabic with English subtitles