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NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL
February 28 - March 16
NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES SHORTS PROGRAMS FOR ITS 29TH EDITION
Featuring 5 World Premieres & 13 North American Premieres Showcasing the Best Animated and Live Action Films from Around the World for Tots to Teens
Highlights Include: Recurring Favorite Programs like “Girls’ POV” Celebrating Fearless Girls Around the World and “Heebie Jeebies” with Genre Tales. Plus a Sneak Peek of Anticipated Series Charlotte’s Web Reimagined: The Making of a New Classic
Coming to MAX in 2025
Previously Announced Features Include: US Premiere of Animated Frida Khalo Biopic HOLA, FRIDA, East Coast Premiere of A24’s THE LEGEND OF OCHI, and the North American Premieres of TOTTO-CHAN: THE LITTLE GIRL AT THE WINDOW and Michel Gondry’s MAYA, GIVE ME A TITLE
The Festival Runs February 28-March 16
The Oscar-qualifying New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF) announces its shorts programs for 2025. This year’s short film lineup includes 5 World Premieres, 13 North American Premieres, and 9 US Premieres. Magic Candies, which premiered in NYICFF’s 2024 edition, qualified for Oscar consideration through NYICFF’s Jury Prize and is nominated for a 2025 Academy Award.
Ringing in its 29th year, NYICFF is North America’s largest and most prestigious film festival for young audiences. The festival runs Feb 28-March 16. Tickets are available at nyicff.org/tickets, and complete lineup can be viewed at nyicff.org/2025-films.
For more information please visit: https://nyicff.org/
COMPLETE SHORTS LINEUP:
Shorts for Tots,
Ages 3-6
Created for our youngest and first-ever moviegoers, but beloved by grown-ups, Shorts for Tots is sure to delight all audiences.
ANIMANIMUSICAL
Germany
Animation, Julia Ocker, 2024, 3 min.
No dialogue
The Animanimals want to do a big musical performance, but somebody’s got the wrong notes.
Mojappi It’s mine!
モジャッピ ～いただき！ホットケーキ～
Japan—US Premiere
Animation, Nijitaro, 2024, 3 min.
No dialogue
Mojappi, a trio of naughty kids who live in the forest, will do anything to get pancakes.
Tiddler
United Kingdom—North American Premiere
Animation, Andy Martin & Alex Bain, 2024, 23 min.
In English
Tiddler is a little fish with a big imagination.
Splish, Splash, Splosh!
United Kingdom—New York City Premiere
Animation, Lily Ward, 2024, 5 min.
In English
Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass—it’s about learning to dance in the rain!
Once Upon a Time in Dragonville
Il était une fois à Dragonville
France, Switzerland—North American Premiere
Animation, Marika Herz, 2024, 9 min.
No dialogue
A dragon visits Humanville and develops a taste for friendship.
Dancing in the Rain
Taiwan, Japan—World Premiere
Animation, Chao-chun Yeh, 2024, 6 min.
No dialogue
As the rain starts and a little girl falls asleep, her dream adventure begins.
Short Films One
Ages 5-10
Whether you’re a baby chick who’s flown the coop, a budding Lego master, or just out for a movie, there’s lots to get into in Short Films One.
The Girl With The Occupied Eyes
A Menina com os Olhos Ocupados
Portugal—US Premiere
Animation, André Carrilho, 2024, 8 min.
No dialogue
Over hill and dale (and beach, and space), only one thing can capture her attention.
Hello Summer
Slovakia, Czech Republic, France—US Premiere
Animation, Martin Smatana & Veronika Zacharová, 2024, 11 min.
No dialogue
Sea, sun, beaches. Sounds great. But what if your room has a naughty view, dinner is strange, and your luggage travels somewhere else without you?
Konigiri-Kun Connected?
Konigiri-Kun Tsunagatteru?
Japan—North American Premiere
Animation, Mari Miyazawa, 2023, 5 min.
No dialogue
The curious rice-ball is back, this time following a thread he can’t resist pulling…
The Constructor
United States
Live Action, Scott Morris, 2024, 10 min.
In English
Elizabeth, an impossibly precocious seven year old Lego constructor, struggles with “imagination blur” as her three year old sister attempts to free her from her rigid thinking.
Mole, mole!
鼴鼠，鼴鼠！
Taiwan—International Premiere
Animation, Rui-Rung Su, 2024, 9 min.
No dialogue
The mole must overcome his fear of sunlight to explore the vast, beautiful world.
Capybaras
Los Carpinchos
France, Chile, Uruguay—US Premiere
Animation, Alfredo Soderguit, 2024, 11 min.
No dialogue
It’s hunting season. Seeking refuge, a family of capybaras and a group of hens form a union that leads to unexpected consequences.
The Night Tunnel
Le Tunnel de la nuit
Belgium, France, Netherlands—New York City Premiere
Animation, Annechien Strouven, 2024, 9 min.
No dialogue
Two kids from opposite sides of the world dig to the North Pole and find a magical way home.
GUGUSSE
France—New York City Premiere
Animation, François Posson, 2023, 4 min.
No dialogue
Gugusse is stuck in traffic.
A Small Garden by the Window
South Korea—US Premiere
Animation, Jonghoon Lee, 2024, 5 min.
No dialogue
Early Morning. Architect picks ripe cherry tomatoes from a small garden by the window to pack a lunchbox for work.
Short Films Two
Ages 8-14
Spending the week at a new house? Traveling the land with your ties and guitar? Waiting for the bus? Let Short Films Two take you away.
The Refusers
De Afvalligen
The Netherlands—New York Premiere
Animation, Wiep Teeuwisse, 2024, 3 min.
In Dutch with English subtitles
A mattress laments. An old paper dances.
Tremolo
Germany—US Premiere
Live Action, Leonard Mink, 2024, 21 min.
In German with English subtitles
A deaf boy and his father must find common language after a long time apart.
Sparrows
Moineaux
Belgium, France
Animation, Rémi Durin, 2024, 12 min.
No dialogue
A young monk, distracted by a sparrow, goes on the journey of his lifetime.
The Drifting Guitar
Une guitare à la mer
France, Switzerland—North American Premiere
Live Action, Sophie Roze, 2024, 31 min.
In French and Spanish with English subtitles
A tie-selling weasel roams the countryside and decides to take a chance in the forest thanks to the unconditional help of a hedgehog.
Short Films Three
Ages 12+
Shorts for our older crowd: teens and grown-ups only.
A Night at the Rest Area
パーキングエリアの夜
Japan—New York Premiere
Animation, Saki Muramoto, 2024, 12 min.
In Japanese with English subtitles
At a midnight highway rest area, weary travelers quietly relax their minds.
The Little Ancestor
La Petite Ancêtre
Canada—US Premiere
Animation, Alexa Tremblay-Francoeur, 2024, 11 min.
No dialogue
On a windswept hill, in a place still young and devoid of all life, a house builds itself.
My Fairy Godmother
Hadas
Spain—New York Premiere
Live Action, Bea de Silva, 2024, 15 min.
In Spanish with English subtitles
Just when it seems she’s going to spend her birthday on her own, someone very special tries to cheer Marta up: her Fairy Godmother.
Weeds
Plevel
Czech Republic—East Coast Premiere
Animation, Pola Razak, 2024, 14 min.
No dialogue
A gardener tends a field overgrown with weeds. What begins as an innocent encounter turns into a fight for survival and an attempt to preserve the world at any cost.
My Very Own Footballer
Ma footballeuse à moi!
France—North American Premiere
Animation, Cheyenne Canaud-Wallays, 2024, 16 min.
In French with English subtitles
Sylvie and Karim have given it a lot of thought. They’re buying a football player.
Awaiting the Lightning Bolt
United Kingdom, Italy—North American Premiere
Animation, Marco Russo, 2024, 4 min.
In English
An eccentric Renaissance inventor dares the impossible: capturing a lightning bolt in a jar.
The Wild Tempered Clavier
Germany—New York City Premiere
Animation, Anna Sammo, 2024, 7 min.
In English and Spanish with English subtitles
An artist insists on playing despite the world’s disasters.
Quota
Netherlands—New York Premiere
Animation, Job, Joris & Marieke, 2024, 2 min.
In English
When every global citizen is required to have their CO2 emissions tracked, it makes little impact…that is, until they discover the consequences of reaching their designated quota.
Girls’ POV
Ages 10+
Not just for girls! These shorts feature stories of girls breaking the mold.
Amplified
سُكُون
Jordan
Live Action, Dina Nasser, 2024, 19 min.
In Arabic with English subtitles
When Karate star Hind has her world distorted, she sways between tenderness and pain, silence and noise, the hidden and the manifest.
Burul
Kyrgyzstan—North American Premiere
Live Action, Adilet Karzhoev, 2024, 14 min.
In Kyrgyz with English subtitles
Burul loves wrestling, but the coach won’t let her train at the boys’ gym, so she trains at home. She also gets unwanted attention from a neighborhood boy who wants to marry her.
Go My Way
Yo voy conmigo
Spain—US Premiere
Animation, Chelo Loureiro, 2024, 7 min.
In Spanish with English subtitles
All the advice Elisa receives to make Martin fall in love with her is to change not only her appearance, but also who she really is.
Have I Swallowed Your Dreams?
Canada—New York Premiere
Animation, Clara Chan, 2024, 6 min.
In English
A poetic conversation between an immigrant daughter and her mother about sacrifices and dreams.
Warrior Heart
Smerteterskel
Norway—North American Premiere
Live Action, Marianne Ulrichsen, 2024, 17 min.
In Norwegian with English subtitles
12-year-old Vilja loves wrestling but is terrified of getting hurt. To make matters worse, Thea is the star of the wrestling club.
Swimming with Butterflies
United States—East Coast Premiere
Live Action Documentary, Karl Stelter, 2024, 8 min.
In English
After missing bronze by 1/100th of a second at the 2016 Paralympic games, Austin-based swimmer Lizzi Smith shares what’s bringing her back to the pool—and bringing hope to the next generation.
Scrap Fabric
Retaso
Philippines
Live Action, Jake Munoz, 2024, 11 min.
In Tagalog with English subtitles
Fearing disapproval, a teenage trans girl secretly sews a prom dress from her mother’s scrap fabric.
¡Hola Cine!
Ages 9+
Our annual program delivers the best Latinx stories from around the world, and not just in Spanish, celebrating the many Latinx cultures, histories, identities and languages.
The Strange Case of the Human Cannonball
El extraño caso del Hombre Bala
Ecuador—East Coast Premiere
Animation, Roberto Valencia, 2024, 10 min.
In Spanish with English subtitles
One morning, a mysterious man is found lying in the village square. No one knows who he is, nor where he came from.
Reni’s Worlds
Los Mundos de Reni
Argentina
Animation, Claudia Ruiz, 2023, 11 min.
In Spanish with English subtitles
On the first day of school, Renato finds a book about origami, a friend, and one big adventure.
Nube
France, Mexico, Hungary—New York Premiere
Live Action, Diego Alonso Sánchez de la Barquera Estrada & Christian Arredondo Narvaez, 2024, 8 min.
No dialogue
A puffy white cloud realizes that her daughter, a dark stormy cloud, is in danger of raining prematurely.
América
Peru—World Premiere
Live Action, Javier Arias-Stella, 2024, 15 min.
In Spanish and Quechua with English subtitles
América, a 10-year-old girl from a remote Andean village, dreams of buying a bicycle so she’ll never be late to class again.
Nana Carmen
United States—East Coast Premiere
Live Action, Kaila Gutierrez, 2024, 10 min.
In English and Spanish with English subtitles
Nana Carmen is babysitting Elena for the day. She’s mischievous, missing a tooth, and only speaks Spanish.
The Interpreter
The Netherlands—International Premiere
Live Action, Dahiana Candelo, 2024, 7 min.
In Dutch and Spanish with English subtitles
Nine-year-old Tatiana is fine with her role as an interpreter for Mami. She can even use it to her advantage….
Heebie Jeebies
Ages 10+
Spooky, freaky, bizarre…
Dolores
Mexico—East Coast Premiere
Animation, Cecilia Andalón Delgadillo, 2024, 9 min.
No dialogue
Dolores, a 7-year-old girl who just wants to play, runs away from a fire demon and accidentally falls into a grave.
Impossible Maladies
Italy—East Coast Premiere
Animation, Stefano Tambellini and Alice Tambellini, 2023, 8 min.
In Italian and German with English subtitles
Traveling by cart, Doctor Rabarbaro and his assistant Tosse travel from house to house to cure absurd illnesses with their ingenious remedies.
Underground
Greece—North American Premiere
Animation, Yiannis Christoforou, 2024, 7 min.
In Greek with English subtitles
The last shovelful plunges the shot into darkness.
BUG
Iran—North American Premiere
Animation, Ali Masoumi, 2024, 6 min.
In English
Parents’ actions impact the lives of children.
Just Little Imps
São só diabretes
Portugal—United States Premiere
Animation, High School Students from Escola Básica Maria Pais Ribeiro – A Ribeirinha with Leonor Pacheco and Dimitri Mihajlovic, 2023, 3 min.
No dialogue
A little girl struggles to fall asleep. Every time she closes her eyes, small impish creatures appear from the darkness.
Pasos Para Volar
Argentina, France—United States Premiere
Animation, Nicolás Conte & Rosario Carlino, 2024, 9 min.
No dialogue
Locked in a room with a skylight, Pájaro teaches Pajarito how to fly, even though he doesn’t have wings.
Fish River Anthology
Mereneläviä
Finland—North American Premiere
Animation, Veera Lamminpää, 2024, 10 min.
In Finnish with English subtitles
The supermarket is about to close as the last customers are waiting their turn at the fish counter.
A Guest from Elsewhere
United States—New York City Premiere
Animation, Ethan Anderson, 2024, 9 min.
No dialogue
After an unfortunate mishap, the monster’s hopes of being one with the humans is put on trial.
Long Journey
Largo Viaje
Spain—New York Premiere
Live Action, Héctor Herce, 2023, 18 min.
No dialogue
If Nico wants his gift, he will have to climb his grandmother’s highest sideboard, fight a duel of loaves of bread, and face his biggest challenge yet.
GLEEFUL BEASTS
United Kingdom, United States—World Theatrical Premiere
Animation, Ryan Corniel, Joel Veitch, Nathaniel Tapley, 2025, 1 min.
In English
The Gleeful Beasts are a motley bunch of incompetent but lovable characters. Journey with us into their wonderful world (keep your eyes peeled for these delightful monsters sprinkled throughout all of NYICFF’s short film programs).
Celebrating Black Stories
Ages 8+
Celebrating Black Stories spotlights shorts from throughout the Festival and around the world that embrace the joy, resilience, and complexity of being young and Black.
Bat Boy
United States
Live Action, Aaron Lemle, 2023, 20 min.
In English
One day, when his beloved bats go missing, Andre enlists the help of a jaded biologist to find out what happened.
Hadu
Nigeria—East Coast Premiere
Animation, Damilola Solesi, 2024, 7 min.
In English
An eager young girl embarks on a culinary journey to recreate her grandma’s special recipe.
Yuri’s Way of Enjoying Life
O Jeito Yuri de curtir a vida
Brazil—New York City Premiere
Live Action, Di Florentino, 2024, 13 min.
Yuri’s parents came from the Democratic Republic of Congo and are very proud of their roots. He celebrates his culture by performing “La Sape.”
Just One
United States—East Coast Premiere
Live Action, Yeajoon Cho, 2023, 12 min.
In English
Struggling musician Amaru meets mischievous ball of energy Shai while performing at his local community center. When Shai’s parents don’t pick him up, Amaru is tasked with taking him home. If only Shai remembered where he lives.
Supa Hair
United States
Live Action, Animation, Glenís Hunter, 2023, 15 min.
In English
Luna has neglected her hair every since her mother died. When she attempts to tame it with an old comb, she activates its lost magic power.
STUDENT & INDUSTRY SHOWCASE
Ages 12+
If you’re looking for what the best animation schools offer near, across New York City, or afar, look no further. Plus catch amazing new Student BAFTA and Academy Award nominated films, and never-before-seen gems from SVA, Pratt, NYU, USC, SCAD, National Film and Television School, Aardman Academy, Universitat Politècnica de València, ESMA, and more. NYICFF’s tops in its class at Animation U!
Presented by School of Visual Arts and the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment
Charlotte’s Web Reimagined: The Making of a New Classic
Our Student and Industry Showcase kicks off with a keynote from Olexa Hewryk, VP of Animation at Sesame Workshop, who will take us behind the scenes to gain an exclusive first look at this exciting new adaptation of the timeless classic book, Charlotte’s Web, a new limited series launching in late 2025 on Max/Warner Bros. Discovery.
Whenever the Flood Arrives
Cuando Llegue la Inundación
Spain—North American Premiere
Animation, Antonio Lomas Domingo, 2024, 6 min.
In Spanish with English subtitles
A mockumentary explores the lives of four sisters hatched from bird eggs who live completely isolated from civilization in what seems like an idyllic environment.
The Final Day
Último Día
United States—New York Premiere
Animation, Sofía Arbaiza Martínez, 2024, 4 min.
In Spanish with English subtitles
Yadira, a creative young Cuban girl, struggles packing on her final day home. Her suitcase feels too small to carry everything her heart holds.
Have You Eaten?
กินข้าวยัง?
United States, Thailand—New York Premiere
Animation, Pavida Changkaew & Brina Huynh, 2024, 5 min.
In Thai with English subtitles
A workaholic college student named KaiToon who is overwhelmed with her thesis. Her day consists of eating ramen and chips until she has to cook for herself.
Student Accomplice
United States—North American Premiere
Animation, Spencer Baird, 2024, 5 min.
In English
Letty must learn to face her fears behind the wheel after her driving test is hijacked by an opportunistic bank robber looking for a quick getaway.
Corn of Wheat
United States—World Premiere
Animation, Piper Bau, 2024, 5 min.
In English
Nainai summons a demon to resurrect her dead grandson in exchange for a series of tributes and her life.
The Human Fossil
United States, Canada—New York City Premiere
Animation, Rebecca Huang, 2024, 6 min.
No dialogue
How will we look back on our present when it becomes history? What will be left of humanity? And how do we want to be remembered?
Cartagène
France—New York Premiere
Animation, Léa Berbach, Fabien Bernard, Lou Buisson, Paola Couturier, Marine La Villa, Théo Nouare, Marie Pacreau, & Abla Saigh, 2024, 7 min.
In French with English subtitles
Paul relives the memories of his childhood spent with his grandfather.
Escape the Kitchen!
United States—East Coast Premiere
Animation, Isabelle Weiser, 2024, 3 min.
In English
A pumpkin desperately tries to escape being baked into a pie.
Memory Lane
United States—International Premiere
Animation, Seogene Lee, 2024, 4 min.
No dialogue
A look at families with loved ones suffering from dementia.
Le Charade
United States—New York City Premiere
Animation, Erika Totoro, 2024, 3 min.
In English
After his final performance, a lonely mime faces a psychotic episode when his imaginary best friend breaks up with him.
Fish Thunder
United States
Animation, Teo Nalani, 2023, 2 min.
In English
A boy who wants to be as loud as thunder faces a storm, looking to contest the sky. His guardian angel fish looks over him.
Aqui
United States—New York City Premiere
Animation, Anabella Gonzalez, 2024, 3 min.
In English
A girl in distress starts to physically unravel.
Dragfox
United Kingdom—New York Premiere
Animation, Lisa Ott, 2024, 8 min.
In English
Sam’s search for identity gets interrupted by a mysterious neighborhood fox.
ABOUT NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL (NYICFF)
Established in 1997, NYICFF’s mission is rooted in the belief of film as a path for young people to understand themselves and others. All programs are designed to celebrate the beauty and power of film, spark the inherent capacity of children to connect with complex, nuanced art, and encourage the creation of intelligent films that represent and celebrate unique, diverse, and historically excluded voices. NYICFF serves children, students, families, educators, filmmakers, and media arts professionals through its three core activities: the annual, Oscar®-qualifying NYC film festival and national touring program; FilmEd, a media arts and literacy program; and Toward an Inclusive Future, an annual industry forum. NYICFF is 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support Kathy Hochul, and the New York State Legislature, and additional support from the New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment.