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Starting on September 6th, the Toronto International Film Festival will be presenting over 300 movies from more than 60 countries. Over the last 37 years, TIFF has become one of the world’s biggest and most well respected film festivals. TIFF also runs a number of film events year-round, including April’s Toronto International Film Festival for Children which in 2012 presented over 150 movies for young people.
TIFF also includes a small selection of TIFF Kids programming in their September festival. Here’s a breakdown of what is coming up, follow the links for further information and screening times. Are you heading to TIFF? Or is there a new film for young people that you and your family really loved? Or a great book that you read this summer? We’d love to hear about what you’re watching, reading and experiencing in the world of film, books, and (of course) theatre for young audiences – let us know in the comments!
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Ernest & Celestine is a traditionally animated film based on a series of books by Belgian author and watercolour artist Gabrielle Vincent . Orphaned mouse Celestine has abandoned her artistic dreams to train as a dentist. When she strikes up a friendship with curmudgeonly musician-poet (and bear!) Ernest, the two must face the disapproval of their community elders; don’t they know mice and bears are never to mingle? (Subtitle alert: Ernest & Celestine is a French Language film)
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Hotel Transylvania showcases a more modern form of animation: 3-D computer animation. Mavis longs for a life free from the ever watchful eye of her father (who knew Count Dracula could be so overprotective?) Her upcoming 118th birthday comes with the promise of escape, and a chance for Dracula to throw the birthday party of a lifetime for his daughter. With the Frankensteins, werewolves, mummies, an Invisible Man, and (gulp!) a human in attendance, this sounds like a party to remember.
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Rounding out the animated offerings is a 3-D makeover of one of my favourite films of 2003: Finding Nemo (does anyone else think of Finding Nemo anytime they hear a flock of seagulls?). Marlin the clownfish partners up with forgetful Dory to find his lost son, Nemo. The scenes with the sea turtles surfing the East Australian Current should make for great 3-D visuals!
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Igor & the Cranes’ Journeyis one of two live action family films on offer at the festival. 11 year old Igor moves with his mother from Russia to Israel, leaving behind his father and the young hatchling crane, Karl, he had vowed to watch over. Igor is tracking the migration of Karl and his flock from Russia to Africa when Karl disappears, forcing Igor to team up with his new classmates and his estranged father to find him. (Subtitle alert: Igor & the Cranes’ Journey is in Russian and Hebrew)
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