PARTY MIX: Best of 2010 New York International Children’s Film Fest

Director(s): Multiple
Country: Multi-national
Language: In English
Multiple Film Types | 2010 | 75 min
Recommended for ages 8+ (Parental Guidance: Appropriate for all ages.)

This compilation contains the best of this year’s New York Children’s Film Festival Shorts for slightly older audiences (ages 5-12). You will be introduced to a new slate of wonderful films traveling the world’s festival circuit. The program features musical and narrative works from USA, UK, Finland, France and Canada.

Oktapodi
France, 2007 / Animated / Dir. Julien Bocabeile, François-Xavier Chanioux, Olivier Delabarre, Thierry Marchand, Quentin Marmier & Emud Mokhberi / / 3 min
This Oscar-nominated underwater adventure is a highlight of recent French animation.

Wallace & Gromit: A Matter of Loaf & Death
UK, 2009 / Animated / Dir. Nick Park / 30 min
Wallace and Gromit have started a new bread-baking business, and although business is booming, Gromit is concerned by the news that a dozen local bakers have disappeared this year – but Wallace isn’t worried. He’s too distracted and ”dough-eyed” in love with former beauty and bread enthusiast Piella Bakewell. While the pair enjoy being the “toast of the town,” Gromit soon realizes his master’s life is in jeopardy, and turns sleuth to solve the escalating murder mystery – in what quickly becomes a matter of loaf and death!

French Roast
France, 2008 / Animated / Dir. Fabrice O. Joubert / 8 min
In a fancy Paris cafe, an uptight businessman is about to pay for the check when he finds out that he’s lost his wallet. To save time he decides to order more coffee. Nominated for a 2010 Academy Award.

A Film About Poo
UK, 2009 / Animated /Dir. Anne Wilkins / 2 min
A film about poo and the things you should and shouldn’t do.

Western Spaghetti
USA, 2008 / Dir. Mix, PES / 2 min
Another remarkable and whimsical stop-motion treat from mixed-media artist PES shows how a meal can be made with everyday objects.

The Battle of Nature
Canada, 2008 / Animated / Dir. Nat Dart / 3 min
In ruined world where mankind has bought destruction upon itself, new hope arrives in the form of a seed.

Runaway
Canada, 2009 / Animated / Dir. Cordell Barker / 9 min
In this cartoon metaphor for capitalism run amok, happy passengers are having a great time on a speeding train, oblivious to the unknown fate that awaits them around the bend. The ensuing crisis leads to a class struggle that is as amusing as it is merciless.

Chicken Cowboy
USA, 2008 / Animated / Dir. Stephen P. Neary / 6 min
Shelly the chicken wasn’t looking for a fight, but he found one. Can he face his fears and stand up for himself? Multi-award winning student animation from NYU’s Stephen Neary.

Veeti and the Beanstalk
Finland, 2009 / Animated, Live Action / Dir. Susanna Kotilainen / 13 min
Brimming with warmth, this mixed media, stop-motion film uses visual humor to tenderly convey the emotions of loss, love and hope. Veeti’s mother cries so much that their house becomes flooded and rivers of tears start to flow from the windows. Try as he might, Veeti can’t make her stop. So he decks her out in galoshes and snorkel gear and grows a magical tree to the clouds to escape the deluge.