The second annual Asheville International Children’s Film Festival kicks off on Thursday, Nov. 4, with film screenings held at venues in Asheville, Black Mountain and Transylvania County. The two-week extravaganza, which continues through Sunday, Nov. 14, features more than 100 films from 30 countries, including Totally Tall Tales, a “ high-spirited collection of Greek myths, African fables, Mexican and Brazilian legends, Hungarian folk tales and Irish yarns;” The Crocodiles (Christian Ditter, Germany, 2009), about “a gang of neighborhood kids [who] embark on a series of thrilling adventures when they meet Kai, a boy in a wheelchair who wants to join their club;” and Small Change (Francois Throughout, France, 1976), a critically acclaimed film about “a group of children in the picturesque French town of Theirs,” just to name a few.
“We’ve searched the globe to bring together pearls of illuminating tales, invigorating adventures and pure cinematic exhilaration,” AICFF states on its website. Showcasing works of animation along with feature-length and historical films, all films are aligned with the festival’s mission to provide “culturally diverse, value affirming cinema for ages 3 to adult.” The overall goal of the festival is “to stimulate critical thinking and to promote intelligent dialogue, through the introduction of passionate and provocative cinematic works.”
In addition to film screening, there will be film workshops, Q&A sessions, an opening gala, a pancake breakfast (costumes encouraged) and a closing awards ceremony.
Tickets for most screenings cost $6 for children and $8 for adults.
Here is a line-up of films-festival screenings and activities, published on http://www.aicff.org:
• Thursday, Nov. 4, 5:30 p.m.: Screening of What a Wonderful World, “a fast-paced program filled with films that are musical, moving, funny and full of adventure.” Held at Transylvania County Library, 212 South Gaston St., Brevard.
• Friday, Nov. 5, 6 p.m.: Opening night gala at The Manor Inn. $25/$40 for a pair of tickets.
• Saturday, Nov. 6, 8 a.m.: All are invited to a pancake breakfast and screening of What a Wonderful World at Asheville Pizza & Brewing, 675 Merrimon Avenue. $12/Free for children under 2.
• Saturday, Nov. 6, Noon: Screening of Chills and Thrills, “a cinematic roller coaster ride, filled with spooky animation and surreal stories.” Held at Asheville Pizza & Brewing.
• Saturday, Nov. 6, 2 p.m.: Screening of Animation Brigade at Asheville Pizza & Brewing.
• Saturday, Nov. 6, 4 p.m.: Screening of The Crocodiles at Asheville Pizza & Brewing.
• Sunday, Nov. 7, 10 a.m.: Screening of Creature Comforts, “tailor-made for the festival’s youngest viewers with colorful films filled with sweet animals, cheerful music and gentle stories.” Held at Asheville Pizza & Brewing.
• Sunday, Nov. 7, Noon: Screening of Passport, “a cinematic voyage [featuring] stories from Madagascar, Mexico, Iran, Brazil, Palestine, India and Kenya and meet real-life kids who are making the world a better place.” Held at Asheville Pizza & Brewing.
• Sun, Nov. 7, 2 p.m.: Screening of On My Way, about “growing up fast… [and] tackling everything from bad hair days to much more complicated problems.” Held at Asheville Pizza & Brewing.
• Sunday, Nov. 7, 4 p.m.: Screening of Magic Carpet, “inventive international animation,” at Asheville Pizza & Brewing.
• Monday, Nov 8, 6 & 8 p.m.: Screening of The Azemichi Road at Posana Café, 1 Biltmore Ave., in downtown Asheville.
• Tues, Nov. 9, 6 & 8 p.m.: Screening of Small Change at Posana Café.
• Wednesday, Nov. 10, 6 & 8 p.m.: Screening of Chills and Thrills at Posana Café.
• Thursday, Nov. 11, 6 & 8 p.m.: Screening of Totally Tall Tales at Posana Café.
• Thursday, Nov. 11, 7 p.m.: Screening of The Child King at Mission Reuter Children’s Outpatient Center, 11 Vanderbilt Park Drive. A short Q&A will follow.
• Friday, Nov. 12, 6 & 8 p.m.: Screening of On My Way at Posana Cafe.
• Friday, Nov. 12 6 & 8 p.m.: “Microworlds 3D” at Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 West State St., Black Moutain.
• Saturday, Nov. 13, 10 a.m.: Screening of the short-film Hands Away, “a film of dance made in Germany,” and I Go Down, a “short music video.” Plus, workshop films by Plater des Reves, Tying Your Own Shoes and Acting Normal. Held at the Reuter Children’s Outpatient Center.
• Saturday, Nov. 13, Noon: Screening of Azemichii Rd., “a feature film from Japan, with English subtitles.” Held at the Reuter Children’s Outpatient Center. Snacks and drinks provided.
• Saturday, Nov. 13, 11 a.m.: Screening of Animation Brigade at White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Road, Black Mountain.
• Saturday, Nov. 13, 1 p.m.: Screening of Magic Carpet at White Horse Black Mountain.
• Saturday, Nov. 13, 2 p.m.: Screening of The Crocodiles at the Reuter Children’s Outpatient Center.
• Saturday, Nov. 13, 3 p.m.: Screening of What a Wonderful World at White Horse Black Mountain.
• Saturday, Nov. 13, 4 p.m.: Screening of The Child King at the Reuter Children’s Outpatient Center.
• Saturday, Nov. 13, 7 p.m.: Screening of MY RUN. All proceeds benefit Isaac Dickson Elementary School. $10.
• Sunday, Nov. 14, Noon: Screening of Creature Comforts at White Horse Black Mountain.
• Sunday, Nov. 14,12:30-3 p.m.: Tree planting even and screening of Magic in the Forest. To view trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtYh76ZkJ2w.
• Sunday, Nov. 14, 2 p.m.:Screening of Frogs and Toads, about a “a six-year-old boy [who] sets out to help his ailing brother” in search for a magical cure for his sickness, at White Horse Black Mountain.
• Sunday, Nov. 14, 6 p.m.: Closing Ceremony at Posana Café. Free.
We saw Passport with our school group this morning, and I was really impressed. It’s a collection of several short films lasting around an hour and 15 min total. Several of the films are animated, which our students really enjoyed. I would definitely recommend this to anyone as a great way to experience a slice of life from Madagascar to Iran to Brazil. The only downside for younger viewers is that most of the shorts are subtitled.