ABOUT the 20th KidsFilmFest
Born in 2004, KidsFilmFest was created by Brooklyn Film Society to explore films made for kids whether they are made by kids or adults. The 20th KFF will run online from June 1 through June 9, 2024.
FILMS FOR ALL AGES
Dandelion
Directors: Ling Zhao and Zhengwu Gu
United States, 4 min | all ages
Synopsis
In a dystopian world, a coal-burning robot working on a mine one day finds something that he has never seen before - a dandelion.
Fluffy Hero Booboo Man
Director: Tak-hoon Kim
Korea, 11 min | all ages
Trailer
Synopsis
Booboo Man is a fluffy fart hero dad! He helps his daughter Bony develop her independence by having fun in everyday life together. With the help of fluffy farts, they can do anything!
Indivisible
Director: Shirin Saghaie
United States, 7 min | all ages
Synopsis
An Iranian American teen struggles to host her newly immigrated cousin.
Larry's Big Idea
Director: Burton Rocks
United States, 2 min | all ages
Trailer
Synopsis
Larry’s Big Idea tells the story of an imaginative boy who uses science to invent special batting gloves for his Little League game. The animated short is the first cartoon produced by internationally-recognized scientist and author, Dr. Lawrence Rocks.
Lick or Trick
Director: Mee Huh
United States, 1 min | all ages
Synopsis
A boy goes to trick or treating one house, but it leads to the mysterious world.
Low Down Larry Versus the Giant Reptile
Director: Sammy Verni
United States, 7 min | all ages
WINNER: Audience Award
Synopsis
In their latest adventure together, Larry and Spike set out in a time machine to be the first to bring a living dinosaur back with them to present day. They've already been to the Moon and back, but this time have they gone too far?
Masha and the Bear. Lucky Charms
Director: Vasily Bedoshvili
Russia, 8 min | all ages
Synopsis
Masha and the Bear is a 3-D animated series that captures the hearts of children and adults alike. The show follows the enchanting adventures of a curious and hilarious little girl Masha and her kind and caring friend, the Bear. Together, they embark on heartwarming and humorous escapades, teaching valuable life lessons about friendship, kindness, and creative problem-solving. With its universal themes, playful humor, exceptional quality of animation, and catchy music, Masha and the Bear has become a treasured part of family entertainment worldwide, reminding us all of the simple joys of childhood.
Stormy Weather
Director: Gabrielle Gingras
Canada, 11 min | all ages
Trailer
Synopsis
Gabrielle, an imaginative but cautious child, spends the summer at the cottage with her family. While her brother and sisters enjoy the last swims of the summer, the youngest stays indoors with her dog and many toys, too afraid of the sun and thunderstorms. In spite of herself, Gabrielle finds herself exposed to the elements. Under the caring eye of her family, the young child gradually finds the courage to face her fears.
UnFamiliar
Director: Sophia Jean
United States, 5 min | all ages
Synopsis
A young witch looking for a familiar finds an unlikely ally in a trash-loving possum in this lighthearted romp about growth, love, and garbage.
WIlla's Rainbow Land
Directors: Steven Mertens and Leonora Pitts
United States, 3 min | all ages
Synopsis
A little girl tells her mother a fantastical and fairy-filled story.
The World of Curious Linda (Season 2)
Director: Tak-hoon Kim
Korea, 11 min | all ages
Trailer
Synopsis
Linda lives in an ordinary town with ordinary shops and ordinary people filled with ordinary days. But Linda is different!Living in the Curiosity Shop, Linda uses her imagination to start adventures with her best friend, Louie.Linda's amazing imagination allows her to transform into anything she desires!
FILMS FOR 13+ YEAR OLDS
Bus Fare
Director: Janice Baker
United States, 6 min | age: 13+
Synopsis
A young girl relies on the kindness of strangers after a bully steals her bus pass, but she hides a big secret about the bully.
The Calligraphy Lesson
Director: Chin Chin Ip
United States, 9 min | age: 13+
Synopsis
The delicate strokes of Chinese calligraphy characters—traditional symbols of wisdom—help the children understand complex modern issues. The film touches upon themes of immigration, education, parenting, and the universal human desire for belonging and freedom. As the black ink settles on the paper and the art of calligraphy is kept alive by a new generation, the characters’ interconnected personal stories unfold...
Christmas in July
Director: Christopher Emmanuel London
United States, 10 min | age: 13+
Trailer
Synopsis
As the parents argue on the day the Father is moving out, Cassandra, an eager young girl, convinces her older sister Kenya. To assist her in a grandiose last-ditch effort to stop the family from tearing apart.
In Sickness and in Health
Director: Devina Vassileva
Bulgaria, 6 min | age: 13+
Trailer
Synopsis
True love isn't scared of boogers. A group of children decide on playing pretend wedding. Dea and Bobi are to be wed. However, the ceremony doesn't go as planned. We have a runaway bride.
The New Girl
Director: Madeline Frederic
United States, 5 min | age: 13+
Trailer
Synopsis
When Eva arrives at her new school, she struggles to make friends. It's only when Charlie, a boy in her class, reads her notebook that he discovers why.
NOMAD
Directors: Yetong Xin and Muwen Li
China, United States | age: 13+
Trailer
Synopsis
NOMAD is a science fiction 3D animated short film that depicts the story of a tribe, followers of Shamanism, migrating with a giant urban device in the distant future. The tribe names this massive flying city 'kukulkan,' which can detect the environmental information of the tribe's habitat. When it deems the human production activities detrimental to the area's natural environment, it communicates with the tribe's female shaman through a series of pictorial languages—tattoos. The tattoos on the shaman's body start to change, signaling to the people to prepare for migration to a new dwelling place; she also prepares the golden wine to bless the journey. Upon receiving the signal, the tribe's members board their small living units, 'cubes,' flying to kukulkan. Together, they wander in the wind with kukulkan, until they find the next place where humans and nature can coexist...
Practice Space
Director: Dan Perlman
United States, 11 min | age: 13+
Synopsis
Close friends Edwin and Steven, high schoolers, advise each other on dating and drama — based on zero experience — while seeking a space to hang after school.
Tea Story
Director: Celina Lung
United States, 10 min | age: 13+
Trailer
Synopsis
In the city of New York, an immigrant dad, yearns for his American born daughter to accept Chinese heritage despite her reluctance. Their relationship is strained the night before her departure to a new job.
VAINGLORIOUS
Director: Gabriel Ugbodaga
United States, 9 min | age: 13+
Synopsis
A skilled young boxer and a determined father clash in a traditional Nigerian boxing match, their resilience and pride are put to the ultimate test, with everything they hold dear on the line.