Best of BAMkids Film Festival (Ages 9+)

Mountain Roots (2025)
Dirs. Carrie McCarthy & Mark Pedri, 18min
USA
In English, Italian with English subtitles

A 9-year-old climber travels from Wyoming to the Italian Alps with her grandfather to scale a mountain together, embarking on a journey to reconnect their family after more than a century of separation.

Ways to Fly (2024)
Dir. Kirby Marshall-Collins, 14min
USA
In English

When her barrettes mess up her pirouettes, an excitable, hyper-focused Black girl must power through the distractions—and her mother's expectations—to fly like the ballerinas do.

Mom and Dad Live in Different Houses (2025)
Dir. Brad Bischoff, 7min
USA
In English

This heartfelt modern portrait of co-parenting is told through the tender eyes of a toddler moving between their divorced parents’ houses one afternoon.

Smile Again (2025)
Dir. Zahra Gholipour, 6min
Iran
In Persian with English subtitles

In a clinic waiting room, Arshia tries everything to connect with Farbod—smiles, notes, and drawings—but Farbod doesn’t respond. A gentle twist at the end reveals why, showing how small discoveries can change everything.

Paw and Scissors (2025)
Dir. Shamim Shoomali, 4min
USA
In English

Daisy is the stylist at an animal salon that welcomes all creatures in this delightful animated film that celebrates differences and shows that we are more beautiful together.

Feet Up (2024)
Dir. Olli Ilpo Salonen, 10min
Finland
In Finnish with English subtitles

When gravity is flipped for all children and their world turns upside down, the ceiling becomes the floor and the floor becomes the ceiling!

GLITCH (2025)
Dir. Bonnie Dempsey, 14min
Republic of Ireland
In English

An isolated girl spends every day staring at her tablet, but when the girl next door gets taken over by a friendly alien, she goes on an adventure and discovers the thrills, fun, and wonder the real world has to offer.