Don’t miss the opportunity to virtually celebrate young auteurs from across the globe with the Young Filmmakers Showcase! Starting on Friday, February 6, you can stream this incredible program of animated and live-action shorts made by kids, for kids, featuring crafty rats, bookish ghosts, a candy-loving prince, and more fun heroes!
Stream for free on BAM.org starting on Friday, February 6
Bubble Trouble
Dir. Liliana Florczak
1min
Age 10
Mentor Michal Florczak
UK
Nonverbal
Created over two rainy days in the countryside, Bubble Trouble is a stop-motion short about two curious friends, Scruffy Waffy and Gingy Bingy, whose bathtime plan gets out of hand. Built entirely from found materials, the film embraces a hands-on, improvised approach, shaped by play and working together.
Chickadee Overcomes Gravity
Dir. Teens with a Movie Camera Collective
2min
Ages 13 &14
USA
Nonverbal
Stuck on the ground but dreaming of the stars, an audacious chicken sets out to go where no chicken has gone before. Created in collaboration with young artists using everyday tools, smartphones, and imagination, this two-minute epic celebrates the power of persistence. Bok bok!
Teens with a Movie Camera (TwMC) is a community art project in Syracuse, NY, connecting local teens, artists, Syracuse University faculty, and students in hands-on filmmaking experiences. Using smartphones and other accessible tools, TwMC highlights the power of independent art cinema and DIY digital storytelling. Our goal is to empower teens to perceive media not just as consumers and viewers, but to develop into visual artists and creative storytellers with their own sense of agency.
Grandmother's Forest
Dir. Mateo Berdún, Erika Moros, Francisco Cartigny, Lorenzo Polo, Claudia García, Gonzalo Polo, Adriana Osborne, Matteo Osborne, Unai Acosta, Alejandro Blanco
4min
Ages 8—12
Spain
In Spanish
Once upon a time, there was a grandmother who lived in a cabin in the woods, happy to be surrounded by nature, plants, and animals. But this beautiful story changes when greed and injustice arrive in the mountains in the form of unscrupulous woodcutters. The forest is in danger, and the grandmother can do nothing because she seems to be alone.
The Eagle Rhino Rock Patelity
Dir. Hart Dynesius Swanson
3min
Age 5
USA
In English and invented language
A boy, a cat, a fish, a giant, a ladder, a rainbow.
Freddy
Dir. Brad Mestenapéo
3min
Age 12
Canada
Innu-aimun
Follow Freddy’s exciting adventure, in this tale of magic and friendship.
Brad Mestenapéo comes from the community of Nutashkuan, and he made his first film with Wapikoni Mobile in 2023. One of his dreams was to make a film, like his brother José did at his age. Even before he started with Wapikoni, he was already filming stuff with his friends on his iPhone. He impressed the team with his imagination and attention to detail at every cinematography stage.
Once Upon a Time There was a War
Dir: Laura Hidalgo ,María Ortega, Raimondo María, Blanca Escobar, Emma Míguez, Eva Gutiérrez
5min
Ages 10—12
Spain
In Spanish
The Red Kingdom and the Blue Kingdom live in harmony until one day war breaks out. Each kingdom thinks only of what is good for itself, without considering others. The children, who suffer the consequences alongside their families, are the only ones who see the senselessness of violence and decide to take action.
The Psychic Arts Academy
Dir. Kayla Cache, Cohen Murphy, Dawn Glover
6min
Ages 13 & 14
New Zealand
In English
At the Psychic Arts Academy, kids train to master powers like telepathy and telekinesis—but three bullies who haven’t yet discovered their own abilities torment the gifted students until the telepaths and telekinetics finally fight back.
The Pouillaouin
Dir. Aria Gagnon
5min
Age 8
Mentors: Katia Kurtness, Carolyne Kurtness
Canada
In French
During their first time working together on an art project, Katia and Carolyne were accompanied by Carolyne’s eight-year-old granddaughter, Aria, to share a story told by their father, Raymond. Aria’s bold pencil strokes bring to life the characters of a louse and a flea, who go on an adventure in the fur of a young beaver called Pouillaouin.
Chirp Talker
Dir. Audrey He-Qing Cheng, Sing Chou, Chien-Yu Lin, Matt Su, Shan Tsai, Lily Tsai
4min
Ages 10—11
Taiwan
In English
On her city balcony, Audrey delights in the flutter of tiny birds—fluffing their feathers, chattering, and sneaking tangerine bites. Their chirps sound like cheerful hellos and playful spats, inspiring her to invent a bird-language translator that unlocks their secret conversations.
Audrey is a 5th grader at NTUEEES who loves dancing, reading, and drawing. She enjoys observing animals, especially birds, and often finds inspiration in their everyday moments.
Lazy Island
Dir. Santiago Rodriguez, Abby Martinez, Nancy Montoya, 6min
Ages 10—12
USA
In English
After arguing with her mother about the cleanliness of her room, young Hazel finds herself magically transported to Lazy Island. She must learn the value of doing a good job the right way—the first time—through several tasks the island’s inhabitants tell her to do. Hazel must help the islanders and learn the value of hard work if she ever wants to go back home.
Miss Strawberry
Dir. Julien Charles, Alice Creuven, Camille Creuven, Gabriel De Coster, Axel Hick, Florence Hick, Charlie Laurent, Emma Laurent, Tristan Lother, Elise Lother, Zachary Rattier, Jan Sperber
6min
Ages 7—12
Belgium
In French
Miss Strawberry is fed up with her life in the fields! What she wants is to go see Paris and not end up in a jar of jam. But the journey to get there has many surprises in store for her…
Summer Before Prague
Dir. Leesha Grant
6min
Age 13
Canada
In English
At the age of four, Leesha Grant did her first winter skate. Five years later, she became the goalie of the Chisasibi Beavers, an ice hockey team. And at 13, Leesha became the first Cree female hockey goalie to be selected to play overseas. With her first short film, she hopes to inspire other indigenous youth to pursue their dreams.
The Whale Who Wanted to Be an Inventor
Dir. Lola Castaño, Juan Campos, Victoria Kent, Verónica Casanova, Adán Rivas, Noah Ellis
4 mins
Ages 7—11
Spain
In Spanish
Galilea, a young whale, has always had a vocation to improve the seabed, and since she was very young she has been inventing ingenious devices… that don't always work. Amidst the laughter of some fish and other marine animals, Galilea wonders if she can really become a great inventor.
The Lazy Man
Dir. Zoe Nieto
6min
Age 12
USA
In English
Bob's laziness catches up to him when a witch tells him that he will turn into a frog unless he changes his ways. When a job is available, he must learn the meaning of hard work.
Stream for free on BAM.org starting on Friday, February 6
Bubble Trouble
Dir. Liliana Florczak
1min
Age 10
Mentor Michal Florczak
UK
Nonverbal
Created over two rainy days in the countryside, Bubble Trouble is a stop-motion short about two curious friends, Scruffy Waffy and Gingy Bingy, whose bathtime plan gets out of hand. Built entirely from found materials, the film embraces a hands-on, improvised approach, shaped by play and working together.
Chickadee Overcomes Gravity
Dir. Teens with a Movie Camera Collective
2min
Ages 13 &14
USA
Nonverbal
Stuck on the ground but dreaming of the stars, an audacious chicken sets out to go where no chicken has gone before. Created in collaboration with young artists using everyday tools, smartphones, and imagination, this two-minute epic celebrates the power of persistence. Bok bok!
Teens with a Movie Camera (TwMC) is a community art project in Syracuse, NY, connecting local teens, artists, Syracuse University faculty, and students in hands-on filmmaking experiences. Using smartphones and other accessible tools, TwMC highlights the power of independent art cinema and DIY digital storytelling. Our goal is to empower teens to perceive media not just as consumers and viewers, but to develop into visual artists and creative storytellers with their own sense of agency.
Grandmother's Forest
Dir. Mateo Berdún, Erika Moros, Francisco Cartigny, Lorenzo Polo, Claudia García, Gonzalo Polo, Adriana Osborne, Matteo Osborne, Unai Acosta, Alejandro Blanco
4min
Ages 8—12
Spain
In Spanish
Once upon a time, there was a grandmother who lived in a cabin in the woods, happy to be surrounded by nature, plants, and animals. But this beautiful story changes when greed and injustice arrive in the mountains in the form of unscrupulous woodcutters. The forest is in danger, and the grandmother can do nothing because she seems to be alone.
The Eagle Rhino Rock Patelity
Dir. Hart Dynesius Swanson
3min
Age 5
USA
In English and invented language
A boy, a cat, a fish, a giant, a ladder, a rainbow.
Freddy
Dir. Brad Mestenapéo
3min
Age 12
Canada
Innu-aimun
Follow Freddy’s exciting adventure, in this tale of magic and friendship.
Brad Mestenapéo comes from the community of Nutashkuan, and he made his first film with Wapikoni Mobile in 2023. One of his dreams was to make a film, like his brother José did at his age. Even before he started with Wapikoni, he was already filming stuff with his friends on his iPhone. He impressed the team with his imagination and attention to detail at every cinematography stage.
Once Upon a Time There was a War
Dir: Laura Hidalgo ,María Ortega, Raimondo María, Blanca Escobar, Emma Míguez, Eva Gutiérrez
5min
Ages 10—12
Spain
In Spanish
The Red Kingdom and the Blue Kingdom live in harmony until one day war breaks out. Each kingdom thinks only of what is good for itself, without considering others. The children, who suffer the consequences alongside their families, are the only ones who see the senselessness of violence and decide to take action.
The Psychic Arts Academy
Dir. Kayla Cache, Cohen Murphy, Dawn Glover
6min
Ages 13 & 14
New Zealand
In English
At the Psychic Arts Academy, kids train to master powers like telepathy and telekinesis—but three bullies who haven’t yet discovered their own abilities torment the gifted students until the telepaths and telekinetics finally fight back.
The Pouillaouin
Dir. Aria Gagnon
5min
Age 8
Mentors: Katia Kurtness, Carolyne Kurtness
Canada
In French
During their first time working together on an art project, Katia and Carolyne were accompanied by Carolyne’s eight-year-old granddaughter, Aria, to share a story told by their father, Raymond. Aria’s bold pencil strokes bring to life the characters of a louse and a flea, who go on an adventure in the fur of a young beaver called Pouillaouin.
Chirp Talker
Dir. Audrey He-Qing Cheng, Sing Chou, Chien-Yu Lin, Matt Su, Shan Tsai, Lily Tsai
4min
Ages 10—11
Taiwan
In English
On her city balcony, Audrey delights in the flutter of tiny birds—fluffing their feathers, chattering, and sneaking tangerine bites. Their chirps sound like cheerful hellos and playful spats, inspiring her to invent a bird-language translator that unlocks their secret conversations.
Audrey is a 5th grader at NTUEEES who loves dancing, reading, and drawing. She enjoys observing animals, especially birds, and often finds inspiration in their everyday moments.
Lazy Island
Dir. Santiago Rodriguez, Abby Martinez, Nancy Montoya, 6min
Ages 10—12
USA
In English
After arguing with her mother about the cleanliness of her room, young Hazel finds herself magically transported to Lazy Island. She must learn the value of doing a good job the right way—the first time—through several tasks the island’s inhabitants tell her to do. Hazel must help the islanders and learn the value of hard work if she ever wants to go back home.
Miss Strawberry
Dir. Julien Charles, Alice Creuven, Camille Creuven, Gabriel De Coster, Axel Hick, Florence Hick, Charlie Laurent, Emma Laurent, Tristan Lother, Elise Lother, Zachary Rattier, Jan Sperber
6min
Ages 7—12
Belgium
In French
Miss Strawberry is fed up with her life in the fields! What she wants is to go see Paris and not end up in a jar of jam. But the journey to get there has many surprises in store for her…
Summer Before Prague
Dir. Leesha Grant
6min
Age 13
Canada
In English
At the age of four, Leesha Grant did her first winter skate. Five years later, she became the goalie of the Chisasibi Beavers, an ice hockey team. And at 13, Leesha became the first Cree female hockey goalie to be selected to play overseas. With her first short film, she hopes to inspire other indigenous youth to pursue their dreams.
The Whale Who Wanted to Be an Inventor
Dir. Lola Castaño, Juan Campos, Victoria Kent, Verónica Casanova, Adán Rivas, Noah Ellis
4 mins
Ages 7—11
Spain
In Spanish
Galilea, a young whale, has always had a vocation to improve the seabed, and since she was very young she has been inventing ingenious devices… that don't always work. Amidst the laughter of some fish and other marine animals, Galilea wonders if she can really become a great inventor.
The Lazy Man
Dir. Zoe Nieto
6min
Age 12
USA
In English
Bob's laziness catches up to him when a witch tells him that he will turn into a frog unless he changes his ways. When a job is available, he must learn the meaning of hard work.
UPCOMING Screenings
RUNNING TIME
Approx. 61min
VENUE
TICKET INFORMATION
FREE
Leadership support for
BAM’s strategic initiatives provided by:
Leadership support for
BAM Access Programs provided by the
Jerome L. Greene Foundation
Leadership support for programming in the
Howard Gilman Opera House provided by:
Leadership support for
BAM Film provided by the
Ford Foundation and
The Thompson Family Foundation
Major support for programs in
the Lepercq Cinema is provided by
The Lepercq Charitable
