Kids

Whether we’re reaching for the stars or a cup of hot cocoa, our friends are there to give us the extra boost that makes everything worthwhile. Watch as a kind moon sees a little boy safely home, giggle at Molly Monster’s special circus, and take a seat with Spot and Splodge as they learn the dentist isn’t so scary after all! Circle of Friends features 12 films from 10 countries.

Ballet of Unhatched Chicks
Dir. Shaun Kim
US, 2011, 2min
No dialogue. New York premiere.
In this bright animated short, a group of newly hatched chicks join together in a Busby Berkeley-style dance to celebrate being alive! 

Knitting Girl: The Bridge
Dir. Yun-hsun Huang
Taiwan, 2012, 2min
No dialogue. New York premiere.
Knitting Girl has a very special talent. Whenever she is in trouble, she can simply knit what she needs. See how she uses this special talent to solve problems! 

Snow
Dir. Corrie Francis Parks
US, 2011, 1min
No dialogue. New York premiere. 
Animated only with sand, this exquisite short film evokes an appreciation of nature at its most beautiful. 

Pim & Pom: Around the World
Dir. Gioia Smid
Netherlands, 2010, 5min
In English. US premiere.
Feline friends Pim and Pom go on an imaginary journey around the world aboard a flying carpet. Based on drawings by acclaimed illustrator Fiep Westendorp.

Obetomo School: Magnet
Dirs. Nanako Yasuda & Katsumi Ueda
Japan, 2012, 2min
 In Japanese with English subtitles. US premiere.
Young children have fun while learning what magnets will—and won’t—pick up!

Violoncello
Dir. Tatiana Kurnaeva
Russia, 2011, 7min
No dialogue. New York premiere.
In this whimsical adventure a little boy doesn’t want to play his cello anymore, but a symphony of fuzzy and fantastical musicians changes his mind.

Molly Monster: Circus
Dir. Ted Sieger
Germany/Switzerland/Sweden, 2011, 5min
In English. US premiere.
Molly and her monster friends put on a circus, complete with leaping lions and jiggy jugglers. But can she save her uncle when he’s trapped on the flying trapeze?

Shoelace
Dir. John Paul Fischbach
Australia, 2011, 8min
No dialogue. New York premiere. 
Five-year-old Tristan can’t play outside with his shoes untied, but he really wants to go out and play! Will he make or miss his playtime fun? 

Rainy Day Friends
Dir. Jerry Lee
Taiwan, 2012, 5min
In Mandarin with English subtitles. New York premiere.
Sprinkle was born on a rainy day, but she hasn’t actually experienced rain herself. When her father forgets his hat, she gets a chance to follow him and find out what raindrops from the sky are like.

Kind Moon
Dir. Nazanin Sobhan Sarbandi
Iran, 2012, 8min
No dialogue. New York premiere.
The Moon loves playing outside with friends, but as winter approaches it must find a way to reach a friend who’s caught a cold. 

The Red Hen
Dirs. Rebecca Emberley & Ed Emberley
US, 2012, 7min
In English. New York premiere.
In this boisterous adaptation of the filmmakers’ book of the same name, their take on the classic tale, Red Hen wants to bake a splendid cake to share, but can’t find anyone to help her make it. 

Spot and Splodge: “At the Dentist”
Dirs. Uzi Geffenblad & Lotta Geffenblad
Sweden, 2011, 8min
 In Swedish with English subtitles. New York premiere.
Excited by big bags of candy, Spot and Splodge discover that sweets can do amazing things like turn their tongues blue. But after a trip to the dentist, they learn a valuable lesson about what’s really good to snack on.