No doubt some lazy simpletons will dismiss the New York International Children’s Film Festival as an event that adults have to endure for the sake of their offspring rather than enjoy themselves.
But anyone who has seen an animated film in recent years will know that the very best the genre has to offer appeals to both adults and children alike simultaneously, as they’re awash with color, energy and creativity while also packed with genuine laugh out loud moments of comedy.
Since its launch in 1997, the New York Int’l Children’s Film Festival has been the go-to event for Big Apple dwellers that want to share the wonders of celluloid with their kids. Over the years the NYICFF has grown exponentially, and in 2018 it will showcase over 100 new animated, live action, documentary and experimental shorts and features from around 30 countries.
But while the New York International Children’s Film Festival’s 15 feature films, nine short film series and its first virtual reality mini-fest are all worth celebrating it is the specific programs and events that really highlight the progression, inclusion and importance of the extravaganza.
Once again the New York International Children’s Film Festival will host Girls POV, a series of short films that are shown from the perspective of female preteens and teenagers.
This year will also see the debut of Boys Beyond Boundaries, which features one movie about a boy covertly cross-dressing and another about the only male participant in a baton-twirling contest.
The festival will culminate with a series of awards, the winners of which will be decided by a panel of professionals that includes Sofia Coppola and Gus Van Sant, while the Virtual Reality Jr experience places players in the likes of “Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them” and “Wolves In The Walls.”
Unfortunately, all the tickets for the VR Jr – Experience have sold out, but an all-encompassing discussion on the event still has seats available, and will feature images and videos from the showcase.
There’s plenty more to experience at the New York International Children’s Film Festival, though, which actually began back on February 23 and will run all the way through to March 18 at various locations across the city. Need help picking what to see? Then check out the gallery above.
