The Tel Aviv International Children’s Film Festival will take place from July 18 – 24, 2013, at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque. The focus on children extends beyond screenings of over 40 films from around the world and film-related workshops, including children as film creators and decision-makers.
8 films will participate in the competition for Best Film: Mother I Love You (Latvia, 2013, 82 min) directed by Janis Nords; Clara and the Bears (Switzerland, 2013, 90 min) directed by Tobias Ineichen; Touch of Light (Taiwan, 2012, 110 min) directed by Chang Jong Chi; Fidgety Bram (Netherlands, 2012) directed by Anna van der Heide; Don’t Expect Praises (China, 2012, 100 min) directed by Yang Jin; Satellite Boy (Australia, 2012, 90 min) directed by Catriona McKenzie; Ella (and Friends) (Finland, 2012) directed by Taneli Mustonen; Nono, the Zig Zag Kid (Netherlands, 2012, 95 min) directed by Vincent Bal. In addition to the professional jury, a youth jury will vote on Best Film. The young jurors participate in a preparatory workshop led by Tova Ben Ari, national administrator of the Ministry of Education’s students’ rights.
The opening film of the festival will be Starry Starry Night, directed by Tom Lin, based on the novel by Jimmy Liao. This year’s festival takes a closer look at films from Asia, with films from China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia and India. Special guest of the festival will be Mitsuo Tahira, director of the Tokyo Kinder Film Festival, who will be visiting Israel for the first time. In addition to films, there will be an origami workshop for children on Monday, July 22nd at 13:30.
The films in this program include:
A Letter to Momo (Japan, 2011, 129 min, Japanese with Hebrew subtitles), anime directed by Hiroyuki Okiura. 11 year old Momo copes with her father’s death and a move away from Tokyo to a small island. With a letter from her father that says only “Dear Momo” she finds healing and comfort in unexpected ways. Screening time: July 22nd at 10:30. Recommended for 10+
I Wish (Japan, 2011, 128 min, Japanese with Hebrew subtitles), directed by Hirokazu Koreeda, Japanese legends tell that when two trains meet, there is a moment of enchantment when one can make a wish. Goichi, who has been living with his mother, far away from his brother and father since his parents’ divorce, dreams of reuniting his family. Screening time: July 22nd at 13:30. Recommended for 10+
Stepping on Flying Grass (Indonesia, 2012, 120 min, Indonesian with Hebrew subtitles), directed by Eugene Panji. Every child has a dream – one wants to become a pilot, another a doctor or actor. Agus just wants to eat a meal in a restaurant and feel like a kind for a few moments. His friends make fun of his modest ambition, but he sets out to make the dream come true. Screening time: July 21st at 16:30. Recommended for 9+
Marina Beach (India, 2012, 135 min, Tamil with Hebrew subtitles), directed by Pandiraj. Orphaned Ambikapathy (‘Pakoda’ Pandian) comes to Chennai, makes friends and makes a hand-to-mouth livign on the beach. The group of children are befriended by an old man, the post man and others who have a positive influence and inspire Ambikapathy to make a change in his life. Screening time: July 21st at 14:00. Recommended for 11+
Starry Starry Night (Taiwan, 2011, 99 min, Mandarin with Hebrew subtitles), directed by Tom Lin. Xiao Mei must leave her beloved grandfather’s house in the country for the city, which she finds noisy and alienating. She finds a friend in Xiao Jie and the two outsiders find solace in their friendship and the wonders of imagination. Screening time: July 21st at 14:00. Recommended for 10+
The Festival Director is Michal Matus, Cinematheque chairwoman is Gila Almagor and Cinemateque Manager Alon Garbuz. The full program may be viewed online and downloaded as PDF, and tickets may be ordered via the Tel Aviv Cinematheque, call: 03-6060800, ext. 0. Grandparents bonus: buy a ticket for your grandchild and your entrance is free!
