It is that time of year again when I get to cram my head full of fun movies for the upcoming year. Monday at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival was a half day — only about four hours of screening — but I managed to watch 26 animated shorts.
Usually when I come to the festival, I think about how to connect the films to upcoming programs and exhibitions. This year I’m really searching for how to tie a group of films together for the March Family Film Day at the Walker. The trick this year is to put together two film programs between 65 and 85 minutes long. It’s not terribly hard to think of way to group some of the films I have seen thus far: Existential Animation, Love and Death, or Post-colonial Shorts. However, they are not the easiest ways to talk about the films to the potential audience. At the same time, if I over simplify it becomes difficult as well because it can too easily be pigeon holed. Pet Capers sounds like a program for preschoolers, Nature’s Wonders sounds like a National Geographic program, and It’s About Friendship sounds like an after-school special. Good thing I have a few more days to think about it.
Here are a few highlights from the day that appealed to my adult nature.
A bit of nudity and intrigue make Bisclavret enticing, but it is has a rich visual beauty too.
This Canadian short was poetic and made me giggle.
Journey to Cape Verde was the last film I watched for the day, and I was unsure whether to cry, smile, or run out of the room and go find myself in the greater world.
I shall see what tomorrow holds.
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