New Friends, New Horizons (Ages 6—8)

Through imagination, friendship, and self-discovery, this program explores a world where animals, children, and even magical beings navigate challenges, dreams, and new connections. From a bear frustrated by noisy neighbors who discovers the joy of making music together, to a squirrel and a crow whose chase through the forest turns into an unexpected friendship, and a hen discovering her longing to fly, each story offers humor, heart, and wonder.

How the Bear Composed a Song (2024)
Dir. Kristína Bajaníková, 7min
Slovakia
Nonverbal
North American Premiere

This enchanting fairy tale portrays the creative process through the friendship between a contemplative bear and loud animals. The tale is depicted with digital cutout animation, and the song that forms the basis of the film was custom composed to complement the story.

No Worries! (2025)
Dir. Chris Dicker, 2min
Ireland
In English

With the new school year looming, 10-year-old PJ's anxiety manifests as a 300-pound gorilla only he can see! Now he has to face his fears, a smelly schoolbag, and last year's lunch.

Snow Bear (2024)
Dir. Aaron Blaise, 11min
USA
In English

When a lonely polar bear can’t find a friend, he makes one. Set in a rapidly changing world, this magical short depicts a bear’s quest in an unforgiving environment, painstakingly hand-drawn over a span of three years.

Unwind (Tricotine) (2025)
Dir. Motahhareh Assar, 1min
Canada
Nonverbal
US premiere

A young woman finds joy in knitting.

When the Tide Comes (2025)
Dir. Fêt-Nat Bailly, 10min
UK
Nonverbal
East Coast Premiere

On a quiet summer morning, an old sand creature named Sandy is enjoying the peace of the endless dunes he calls home. That peace doesn’t last long though, as a noisy flock of seagulls drops its lunch right on Sandy’s lap: a helpless baby sea turtle named Bo. At first, Sandy isn’t thrilled about the unexpected company, but soon he and Bo set off on a journey to get the little turtle back to the ocean. On the way, they will learn not only from each other, but from the wild creatures they interact with.

Star Bound (2021)
Dir. Richard O'Connor, 2min
USA
In English

Joey Jefferson, a Mission Operations Engineer at NASA, talks with his outer space-obsessed six-year-old nephew Jerry Morrison. Together they explore why space is so fascinating, where they would live if they could choose another planet, and how much more we have to discover. As Joey says, “My hope is that you are always going to be doing and learning about the things that you love the most.”

Feathers and Leaves (2025)
Dir. Linjie Yang, 6min
China & USA
In English
East Coast Premiere

An acorn adopted and raised by a blue jay dreams of flying—but as he grows, he must confront who he truly is and where he truly belongs.

House Trap (2024)
Dir. George Hampshire, 2min
Netherlands
Nonverbal
New York premiere

When a mouse steals the last piece of a puzzle, an estranged family is brought together for a cat-and-mouse game.

My Friend the Dandelion (2025)
Dir. Athena Greenleaf, 6min
USA
In English
East Coast Premiere

A girl wishes on a dandelion, and a magical lion springs to life. Their adventures help her discover what it means to make new friends—and to let go.

Lena's Farm: Dreaming of Flight (2025)
Dir. Elena Walf, 5min
Croatia & Germany
Nonverbal
New York Premiere

The hen is supposed to lay eggs just like the other chickens. But the swallows in the air have awakened a completely different longing: she wants to fly!

Nutissimo (2025)
Dirs. Nicolas Bianco-Levrin, Julie Rembauville & Maxence Camelin, 2min
France
Nonverbal
East Coast premiere

At the beginning of autumn, a squirrel prepares its reserves for winter, harvesting acorns, chestnuts and hazelnuts. As he finishes his inventory, he realizes that he is missing one nut. When he finds it, a crow flies at him, triggering a frantic chase through the branches in the forest.

Away We Go (2025)
Dir. Chris Purdin, 3mins
USA
In English
East Coast Premiere

A playful, music-filled journey celebrating imagination and the adventure we discover when we explore the world together.