Film | Kids
Young Filmmakers Showcase 2023
Virtual
Performance dates are highlighted in white.
Enjoy a selection of animated and live-action shorts created by filmmakers age 14 or younger from around the world! Featuring personal stories, classic folk tales, and imaginative adventures that travel from the living room to the limits of outer space, this free virtual screening celebrates a wealth of young global artists.
Dirs. Karina Snytnikova, Christina Snytnikova (ages 13)
Russia
This cartoon, created from flowers, tells of a love story between two bunnies. A gentle, kind, beautiful waltz completes the story.
Dir. Jade Dandan Evangelista (age 11)
Mentor: Nina Dandan Evangelista
Philippines
A lady loses her finest jewelry, only to find it up in the night sky in this story based on a Bukidnon folktale from the Philippines.
Dir. Penelope Campbell (age 11)
US
A forest mouse befriends a squirrel right before a calamitous event in their lives.
Dir. Matilde Dionísio (age 11)
Mentor: Beatriz Bagulho
Portugal
This is a film about Francisca, a gray and loving cat. Francisca thinks she’s very special, and she loves water and hugging her owner Matilde. Created by MAD (Matilde Dionísio) in the workshop oficina de ilustração e animação with mentor Beatriz Bagulho.
Dir. Bryn Wright (age 11)
US
What are mosquito fish? Are they fish that jump out of the water to eat mosquitos... or mosquitos that can swim? Learn more about these amazing creatures that can help keep our backyard ponds and fountains mosquito free—without harmful pesticides.
Dirs. Diego López (age 9) & Daniel Anaya (age 10)
Spain
Timy, a little fish from the North Sea, decided to run away from home looking for adventure to the Coral Sea, where he must quickly adapt as he learns what he really needs to be happy.
Dirs. Nika Pečarič, Nika Črnugelj, Lara Oberman, Lucija Kostelec, Janin Pirkovič, Lana Išpanov & Manca Mihelčič (ages 11 & 13)
Mentors: Jelena Dragutinovič, Lene Lekše & Duška Vlašič
Production: Društvo Slon, OŠ Metlika & Belokranjski muzej Metlika
Slovenia
Legend of Velebaba tells a story from the southern region of Slovenia, Bela Krajina, about how the hill Kučar was made.
Dir. Ian Sherry (age 6)
US
Adventures of Astro Joe and Barky follows an astronaut and his alien friend on an uncharted space expedition. Watch as the two travel to undiscovered planets, meet new friends, and try to survive the chaos of space!
Dir. Stenin Artem (age 6)
Russia
The story of the Machine and its innermost dream. The author of the cartoon is Stenin Artem. He is 7 years old. He has been animating for 3 years and created his first author’s cartoon in a technique based on frame-by-frame animation.
Dir. Milana Lebed (age 11)
Kazakhstan
The story of a little drop and a boy.
Dirs. Ana Drenik, Jona Kelenc, Lucija Majhen, Ažbe Kelenc, Lia Paternoster, Žiga Resman & Nik Grčar (ages 9—12)
Mentors: Jelena Dragutinović, Janja Kosi & Saša Žust
Production: Društvo Slon & OŠ Dragomelj
Slovenia
Be careful of the books you choose—even completely ordinary ones can take you for an unexpected adventure!
Dir. Plyler Katya (age 8)
Russia
A story about a little girl and her observation of beauty in the sky.
Dir. Misha Ionov (age 8)
Canada
Once upon a time there lived a crocodile who was very unhappy. His teeth were hurting and in a very bad shape, since he could not brush them by himself. But soon he found a solution with a bit of help from a nice doctor and another tiny animal friend.
Dirs. Ivana Berović, Bruna Ban, Franko Bručić, Ivan Laškarin, Kuka Milićević, Marjeta Pilepić, Sana Gordana Višnjić, Nikoleta Palinić, Klara Mrvica, Patrik Skočić, Sara Sulje, Ida Osmičević, Ira Mileta, Zaurati Marinov, Dora Zlatović, Josip Grubišić (ages 6—11) Mentors: Jelena Dragutinović & Lene Lekše
Production: Društvo Slon, Narodno sveučilište Dubrava & MDF Šibenik
Slovenia and Croatia
After the wind catches a cold, he decides that he needs to get warm, which winds up causing trouble for the locals.
Dir. Mark Leschinsky (age 14)
US
Fitting In is a symbolic social-impact film that draws a parallel between fitting into shoes and fitting into society and, in doing so, it inspires us to embrace our unique personalities.
Dirs. 张靖晨（Charlotte Zhang), 迟逸蓝（Elsa Chi) & 谭如岑（Elsa Tan) (ages 9)
China
An old house in a magic forest is about to collapse. However, a cat named Luban living in the house refuses to move out. The old house and Luban have a standoff for days, until both parties start to talk about their difficulties to each other.
Dirs. David Heller, Andrew Jones-Twiggs & Shepherd Sieg (ages 8 & 10)
US
A boy faces technical difficulties when he’s sucked into his computer.
Dirs. Vittorio Caratozzolo & Eugenia & Jacopo (ages 11 & 12)
Italy
A conversation with an anonymous fossil, who has a lot to tell.
Meet different critters and kids whose fun adventures help them learn lessons of friendship and being yourself in this colorful collection of animated films.
Characters embark on journeys big and small—from building a monster to going to the dentist—in these animated and live action shorts from around the globe.
These heartwarming films are filled with friendship, family, and characters following their dreams.
This collection of narrative and documentary films celebrates characters who are determined, courageous, and trying to forge their own path.
Let your imagination soar with films that transport you into magical rainforests and mysterious gardens filled with delightful animal friends.
Any star is within reach in these stellar films where kids, cats, and even candles stretch themselves to achieve the impossible.