Washington University’s Center for the Humanities and Program in Film & Media Studies, both in Arts & Sciences, will host the Eighth Annual Children’s Film Showcase Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 18, 19 and 20.
Subtitled “An Exploration of Children’s Films and Their Audiences,” the showcase is presented in conjunction with Cinema St. Louis, as part of the 20th Annual St. Louis International Film Festival.
In all, the Children’s Film Showcase will feature 11 screenings as well as lectures and Q&A sessions with several of the filmmakers. The Brown School also is a sponsor of the film festival, and is sponsoring the human rights sidebar of films at the upcoming festival.
All events are free and open to the public and take place in Brown Hall Auditorium, unless otherwise noted. Brown Hall is located near the intersection of Forysth Boulevard and Hoyt Drive.
For more information, call the Center for the Humanities at (314) 935-5576.
A still from Aurelie LaFlamme’s Diary (Le Journal d’Aurèliel LaFlamme) (2010).
Schedule of Events
Friday, Nov. 18
6 p.m.
Little Vampire (2004)
Directed by Christian Choquet and Gilles Deyries
Consisting of five cartoons, each 12 minutes in length, the Little Vampire stories explore topics such as bullying, friendship and being kind to animals, seasoning their lessons with a dose of supernatural adventure. All ages.
7:30 p.m.
Voltron Force! Behind the Scenes of the Animated Series
The St. Louis-based producers of Nicktoon’s hit animated series Voltron Force! reveal the step-by-step process of how a cartoon gets made, from creation of the “show bible” to voice casting, storyboards and rough animation. All ages.
Saturday, Nov. 19
10 a.m.
Poco’s Rusty Young and Jack Sundrud: Scoring Weston Cartoons
Tivoli Theatre
Free for children 12 and younger, $10 for adults.
Musicians Rusty Young and Jack Sundrud — both longtime members of the pioneering country-rock band Poco — also moonlight as composers for Weston Woods, which adapts classic children’s books into animated shorts. For this event, the duo will screen four Weston Woods cartoons that feature their music, introducing, discussing and playing music from each film. A Q&A will follow. All ages.
12 p.m.
Quest for Zhu
Directed by Bob Doucette
The ZhuZhu Pets — the St. Louis-based toy sensation — are brought to animated life in this heartwarming tale of four lively young teens (who just happen to be hamsters) on a quest to find the Palace of Zhu. All ages.
2 p.m.
A Weston Woods Animation Sampler
Ten Weston Woods classics are featured, ranging across the decades and including adaptations of Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are and the Caldecott Medal-winning The Man Who Walked Between the Towers. All ages.
4:30 p.m.
Circus Dreams (2011)
Directed by Signe Taylor
This documentary tells the story of a group of 12-to-18-year-olds performing in Cirkus Smirkus, the country’s oldest traveling youth circus. Age 10 and older.
7 p.m.
Snowmen (2010)
Directed by Robert Kirbyson
This humorous and heartfelt story centers on Josh (Bobby Coleman), a kid in remission following cancer treatment, who uses his illness to gain attention. Age 8 and older.
Sunday, Nov. 20
12 p.m.
A Cat in Paris (Une Vie De Chat) (2010)
Directed by Jean-Loup Felicioli
The studio behind Mia & the Migoo delivers a new animated classic in this beautifully hand-drawn caper set in the shadow-drenched alleyways of Paris. Age 8 and older.
1:30 p.m.
Eleanor’s Secret (Kèrity, la maison des contes) (2008)
Directed by Dominique Monfèry
A magic library transforms a boy’s life in this animated feature. Age 8 and older.
3:30 p.m.
Aurelie LaFlamme’s Diary (Le Journal d’Aurèliel LaFlamme) (2010)
Directed by Christian Laurence
Through the pages of her diary, Aurelie confides her joys and sorrows, successes and failures, loves and friendships, and tries to find her place in the world. Age 12 and older. Includes adult language. In French with English subtitles.
6 p.m.
Tomorrow Will be Better (Jutro Bedzie Lepiej) (2010)
Directed by Dorota Kedzierzawska
Polish director Dorota Kedzierzawska (I Am) follows the unusual journey of three young boys who become mini-heroes in our strange times. Includes adult language and female nudity. Ages 15 and older. In Polish with English subtitles.