Washington University’s Center for the Humanities and Program in Film & Media Studies, both in Arts & Sciences, will host their Fifth Annual Children’s Film Symposium Friday and Saturday, Nov. 21 and 22.
Presented in conjunction with Cinema St. Louis, the festival will feature five screenings as well as introductions and post-show discussions by a half-dozen of the films’ creators.
All events are free and open to the public. The first screening, Pixar Shorts, will take place in the auditorium of the Saint Louis Art Museum. All other events take place in Brown Hall Auditorium, located near the intersection of Forysth Boulevard and Hoyt Drive.
For more information, please call the Center for the Humanities at (314) 935-5576.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21
Auditorium, Saint Louis Art Museum
Pixar Shorts (2007)
Introduction and Q&A by Jeremy Lasky
Pixar Shorts features a dozen rare theatrical shorts spanning the history of Disney/Pixar, the studio responsible for such modern family classics as Toy Story, Monsters, Inc. and Finding Nemo. Introducing the screening will be Jeremy Lasky, a director of photography for Pixar, who also will conduct a post-show Q&A.
Noon, Saturday, Nov. 22
Brown Hall Auditorium
Matchmaker Mary (2008)
Q&A with Tom Whitus and Jilanne Barnes
Shot in Lee’s Summit, MO, this family-friendly tale stars Dee Wallace, a former Kansas City resident best known for her role as Mary in E.T.: The Extra Terrestial; and Katherine McNamara, a 12-year-old Lee’s Summit native making her screen debut. The story centers on Mary Carver, a sixth grader (played by McNamara) who attempts to broker romance between two lonely people she meets at an animal shelter, where all three are adopting puppies. Following the screening will be a Q&A session with director Tom Whitus and with costar Jilanne Barnes.
2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22
Brown Hall Auditorium
The Flyboys (2008)
Post-show discussion with Lisle Moore
Directed by Rocco DeVilliers and featuring Stephen Baldwin and Tom Sizemore, this rollicking adventure won best film at the 2008 Sedona Film Festival. The story follows two small town boys (played by Jesse James and Reiley McClendon) whose courage is tested when they accidentally stow away aboard an airplane owned by the mob. Followed by a talk with producer Lisle Moore.
5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22
Brown Hall Auditorium
The Making of WALL-E (2008)
Reception for Jeremy Lasky
Peak behind the scenes of WALL-E, the recent theatrical offering by Disney/Pixar. Written and directed by Andrew Stanton, whose previous credits include A Bug’s Life and Finding Nemo, the computer-animated tale follows a wide-eyed robot (whose name stands for “Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class”) as he travels to the deepest reaches of outer space in search of a newfound friend — and the only friend he’s ever had. Followed by a reception for Pixar’s Lasky.
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22
Brown Hall Auditorium
King of the Hill (1993)
(PG-13, for mild profanity and one implied sexual situation.)
Attendees include Ron Yerxa and Carrie Houk
Based on the memoir by Washington University alumnus A.E. Hotchner and adapted and directed by Steven Soderbergh, King of the Hill stars Jesse Bradford as 12-year-old Aaron Kurlander. Separated from his parents and younger brother, Aaron must fend for himself while living in a run-down hotel in Depression-era St. Louis. Attendees will include producer Ron Yerxa and local casting director Carrie Houk. Presented in conjunction with the Missouri Center for the Book.