Life doesn’t always go as planned. Everyone encounters an obstacle now and then. How you overcome them and what you learned along the way is…SOLVING & EVOLVING! This year’s reel contains stories of overcoming bullying over body image, building a better way to communicate with siblings and seeing the advantages of leaving your cellphone home. 

Films and film order are subject to change without notice.

BILLO RANI – When Hafsa, a sparkly and impulsive 12-year-old girl is made aware of her unibrow, her eyebrows come alive to advocate on their behalf. They argue with her self-doubt and what actions to take next. (2024 / 9 min / USA / dir. Angbeen Saleem)

I SEE (Ni Wapiten) – Short documentary of a Indigenous-Canadian  boy making a plea to take care of Mother Earth and keep it clean for future generations. (2023 / 2.5 min / Canada / dirs. Noémie Echaquan, Julie Ottawa / in Atikamekw w/Eng subs)

LOLO AND THE SOUND PIANO (Lola et le piano à bruits) – Lola has a younger, autistic brother that struggles at times to communicate what he’s thinking. Sounds play a big part in making him happy or upset. Lola decides to build a one-of-a-kind sound machine in order to relate to Simon more closely. (2024 / 25 min / France / dir. Augusto Zanovello / in French w/Eng subs) 

THE PRINCE’S DILEMMA – In this new take on classic animated fairy tale romance, Prince Philip, who longs to be with a prince of his own, must decide to follow the traditional tale expected of him or forge his own happily ever after. (2023 / 5 min / USA / dir. Devin Rowe) 

SCREEN TIME – It’s amazing what one at any age will do during time alone if there are no digital screens to distract you. Boredom becomes inspiration to engage in one’s environment in a way that would never happen if a “smart” phone was in your hand. The digital world becomes a tactile one.  (2024 / 7 min / Australia / dir. Alexandrena Parker)

HEART OF THE OCEAN – In some dystopian oceans of the future mechanical fish species of all types are the predominant residents. When a “natural” fish egg is found one of the robotic fish takes it upon themself to bring this life to fruition. As they find out, raising the young is a sacrifice. (2024 / 9 min / Russian Federation / dirs. Natalya Kharina, Alena Rubinshtein / non-verbal)

A SUMMER’S END POEM – Shortly before the end of the summer holidays, a country boy spends his savings on his dream of a city hairstyle – with surprising results. A story about bidding farewell to childhood and the poetic end of a summer. (2024 / 15 mins / China / dir. Lam Can-zhao / in Mandarin Chinese w/English subs / Ages 10+)

WHO NEEDS TEACHERS? – Isha Sahni, a spirited ten-year-old, grows weary of her teachers’ rules and control. Determined to rebel, she challenges them at every opportunity. But her plans take an unexpected turn when she meets her match in Mrs. Khanna, her new English teacher. Instead of scolding, Mrs. Khanna responds with playful wit, leaving Isha intrigued. As their clashes continue, Isha learns valuable lessons about respecting teachers and knowing they aren’t just authority figures but mentors who place our well-being before theirs. (2023 / 19 mins / India / dir. Ekal Deep Kaur / in English / Ages 10+)

And more…!