Public Event | Third Annual
KIDS FIRST! Film Festival
Winner of 1st Prize for Community Film Series at the annual KIDS FIRST! Best Awards in Los Angeles, the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa KIDS FIRST! Film Festival screens another fun-filled summer season of films. Supported in part by the Sidney Stern Memorial Trust.
SUNDAYS • June 14 & 28, July 12 &19 • UHM Art Auditorium
3:00 pm • FREE ADMISSION!
JUNE 14 – Ages 5-12 – 88 minutes
The Velveteen Rabbit
Based on the best-selling book, enchanting combination of live-action and animated adventure story of a lonely boy who wins over his distant father and strict grandmother with the help of a toy rabbit and other toys he befriends in a magic attic. Voices of Golden Globe winner Jane Seymour, Emmy Award winner Tom Skerritt and Oscar winner Ellen Burstyn.
JUNE 28 – Ages 8-12 – 80 minutes
Dragon Hunters (Chasseurs de Dragons)
Zoe loves stories about valiant knights battling dragons, and dreams of going on a dragon hunt. Her guardian, fearing that the World Gobbler dragon will soon awaken, decides that Zoe should be sent away to safety. Zoe has other ideas. Packed with humor, adventure and fantastical creatures, with richly detailed 3D computer animation. Voices of Forest Whitaker and Mary Matilyn Mouser.
JULY 12 Ages 2-8 – 73 minutes
The Firefly and the Stars
From the Venezuelan savannah, an animated tale about a tiny firefly who wants to play with other glowing fireflies but is rejected because she is different. Convinced her light doesn't measure up, it takes the guidance of a squirrel, the caring of a mama bird and a baby bird mistaking her for a fallen star to open her up to her own true worth.
The Hidden Treasure of Wompkee Wood
An animated tale about howTwig, the littlest Wompkee, discovers a hidden treasure map and leads her band of brave Wompkees on a grand adventure to find the treasure and return the gift of universal communication and love to Wompkee Wood forever.
Alex & The Kaleidoscope Band Live Concert
Multiple award-winner. Hand clapping, foot stomping world music infused songs that inspire families to sing, dance and get lost in the magic of the music. We'll wind our way out of the theatre with a couple of songs: The Laugh-a-Lot Song and Together.
July 19 – Ages 5-12 – 82 minutes
Ish
With a little encouragement from his sister, Ramon discovers that creativity is about a lot more than getting things "right." The creator of The Dot shines a bright beam of light on the need to kindle and tend our creative flames.
Wild About Books
Librarian Molly McGrew introduces birds and beasts to reading. This rollicking rhyming story will have the same effect on young homo sapiens.
The Happy Duckling
Animated adventure set in a pop-up book world follows the antics of a young boy in his struggles against a stacking duck! Expect the unexpected and surprises aplenty behind every flap opened and tab pulled.
Heidi 4 Paws: A Furry Tale
The re-telling of the classic Heidi—an adorable orphan sent to live with her cranky Grandfather in the Swiss Alps. Starring ALL DOGS IN ALL OF THE ROLES. Voiced by Angela Lansbury, Stephen Rea, Julian Sands, Steve Guttenberg and others. You have to see it to believe it! "Thumbs up from the whole family." – Parents' Choice Awards
A project of the Coalition for Quality Children's Media, KIDS FIRST! films are free of gratuitous violence; race, gender, or religious bias; and condescension towards children. Age-appropriate groupings of classic, independent, short and sneak preview films entertain through a balance of animation and live action, plus varied themes from different cultures.
EarthDance for Families!
SUNDAY • July 26 • 3:00 pm • UHM Art Auditorium • Free
EarthDance is a compilation of documentaries, comedies, animations and adventures that celebrate humans and nature, one short film at a time. This series is juried for families (Ages 8+). Total running time: 90 minutes
Carpa Diem Italy, 3 min.
Dir: Sergio Cannella
Family Drama. Best Short, Vatavaran Film Festival; Best Spot, Festival International Du Film Sur L‘Énergie de Lausanne.
Goldfish USA 12 min.
Dir: Joe Wein
Two girls. One mission. A lot of fish. Audience Award, Austin Film Festival; Grand Jury Award and Audience Award, Chicago Film Festival.
Balancing Point USA 5 min.
Dir: Danny Brown
A meditation and manipulation of gravity and time through reverse motion. Banff Mountain Film Festival Award Winner.
Zoologic USA, 4 min.
Dir: Nicole Mitchell
Animation Comedy. A fussy zookeeper is taught a lesson by an unconventional penguin. Student Academy Award.
Once Upon a Tide USA, 9 min.
Dir: Sea Studios Foundation
A project of the Center for Health and the Global Environment at the Harvard Medical School. Best in Show, Santa Barbara Ocean Film Festival; Special Jury Selection, Wildscreen International Wildlife and Environmental Film Festival.
Girl Stars: Suryamani, The Forest Activist India, 7 min.
Dir: Umang Bhattacharya
Documentary. Suryamani fights for the right of her community to live in the forest of Jharkhand. Winner, Colorado Environmental Film Festival; Winner, Vatavaran Film Festival.
Roberto the Insect Architect USA, 11 min.
Dir: Galen Fott & Jerry Hunt
Animation based on the best-selling book. A termite named Roberto pursues his dream of becoming an architect and travels to the big city where he hopes to find success. Funny, inspirational and winner of many awards. Narrated by Sean Hayes.
Badgered UK, 7 min.
Dir: Sharon Colman
Animated tale of a grumpy badger who just wants the world to let him sleep. Best Short Animation Oscar nomination; British Animation Award; Best Film on Mountain Environment, Banff Mountain Film Festival.
Riddle in a Bottle USA, 30 min.
Dir: Laura and Robert Sams
Shares how life on earth is connected through moving water. Funded by Save Our Seas Foundation. Best Children’s Film, Wild and Scenic Film Festival.