Wexner Center for the Arts: Visit: Fall 2011 Season Announced

Wexner Center presale period begins for fall events

For immediate release: June 27, 2011

4-DAYS OF FILMS ABOUT CATS, DOGS, ELEPHANTS, AND MORE

PLUS: A FREE CEREAL AND PJ PARTY AND AN ICE CREAM SOCIAL

The Wexner Center’s 8th annual Zoom: Family Film Festival will be held December 1-4, 2011, featuring a diverse selection of acclaimed family films from around the world and additional activities throughout the weekend.

This year’s festival films range from classic comedies to documentaries to contemporary animation, from the U.S. and overseas. On Saturday, Zoom goes to the zoo, with animals “starring” in all five films. That day includes a free screening of the documentary Chandani: The Daughter of the Elephant Whisperer; Lassie Come Home; the animated A Cat in Paris with a jazzy score; Laurel & Hardy films accompanied by a live band; and more.

In addition to the films, kids and families can enjoy a free Saturday morning cereal and pajama party, a free Saturday afternoon Jeni’s ice cream social, and hands-on activities.

Chris Stults, co-organizer of Zoom and associate curator in the Wexner Center’s film department, notes, “This year’s festival promises a range of critically lauded international films, including some Ohio premieres. We hope families come out to see movies they’re not likely to see in the cineplex, and enjoy a day—or a weekend—with family and friends.”

Jean Pitman, co-organizer of the event and the Wexner Center’s educator for youth programs, adds, “Zoom offers a fun, educational alternative for a family outing. These screenings of carefully chosen feature films from around the globe are also affordable.” Parents or other caregivers can call Pitman at 614-292-4614 to discuss any film before viewing it with children.

Zoom is presented with a generous contribution from the PNC Foundation Grow Up Great program. Additional support is provided by Big Lots.

The full schedule follows.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25

ZOOM WARM-UP
Stooge-a-thon!
1 PM | Ages 4 and up
$3 general public, $2 members

Avoid the post-Thanksgiving, Black Friday blues with this special afternoon program of four shorts by the slap-happiest slapstick team in movie history—the Three Stooges. (app. 70 mins., 35mm)

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1

Racing Dreams (Marshall Curry, 2010)
7 PM | Ages 7 and up

This documentary explores the lives of three kids as they compete for the championship in the World Karting Association’s National Pavement Series—the little league of NASCAR. (Run time: 96 mins.) Stay after the film for a brief discussion with local racing enthusiasts.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2

Girls POV
7 PM | Ages 12 and up

This thoughtful and engaging collection features four award-winning animated or live-action shorts focusing on female characters and exploring teen and tween girls’ issues around the globe. (Run time: 70 mins.) A brief audience discussion will follow.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3

Saturday Morning Cereal and Pajama Party
9–10 AM
Free

Kids can start the weekend by staying in their PJs and heading off to Zoom for free cereal before watching Saturday cartoons on the big screen!

Kid Flix Mix
10 AM | Ages 3 and up

This collection of animated shorts from the New York International Children’s Film Festival has been delighting full houses at Zoom for the past two years. (Run time: app. 60–70 mins.)

Lassie Come Home (Fred M. Wilcox, 1943)
12 NOON | Ages 6 and up

One of the all-time great family films, this heartwarming tearjerker about a family and their devoted collie stars Elizabeth Taylor and Roddy McDowell, and features gorgeous Technicolor footage of the Scottish and English countryside. (Run time: 89 mins., 35mm.)

A Cat in Paris (Jean-Loup Felicoli, Alain Gagnol, 2010)
2 PM | Ages 7 and up

This delightful film with a jazz score is a beautifully hand-drawn caper about a cat with a double life: as the pet of a young girl and her detective mother by day, and the assistant of big-hearted cat burglar by night. “A gem, a treat not to be missed,” wrote Seattle Weekly. In French with English subtitles. (Run time: 70 mins.)

Ice Cream Social
1:30–3:30 PM

This free ice cream social features an assortment of flavors from Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, a Columbus favorite, between films.

Chandani: The Daughter of the Elephant Whisperer (Arne Birkenstock, 2010)
3:30 PM | Ages 7 and up
Free

This transporting documentary shows life in Sri Lanka from the perspective of 16-year-old Chandani, who wants to become a mahout (elephant whisperer) like her father. In Swahili with some English subtitles. (Run time: 86 mins.) Stay after the film for a family Q&A with Harry Peachey, elephant manager/curator of mainland Asia at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

Laurel & Hardy and Friends
7 PM | Ages 4 and up

Three side-splitting films from the golden era of silent film comedy are accompanied by live music from Super Desserts, a Columbus folk pop band. Laurel and Hardy play Christmas tree salesmen in Big Business (1929). Go West (1923) is a zany western with an all-animal cast. In Movie Night (1929), a family movie night is hilariously interrupted. (Run time: about 60 mins., 35mm and video.)

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4

Tales of the Night (Michel Ocelot, 2011)
1 PM | Ages 8 and up
Free for Wexner Center members

From the imaginative creator of Kirikou and Azur and Asmar, this animation inspired by shadow puppetry tells six magical fairy tales featuring princes and princesses, a werewolf, a trip to the underworld, a talking horse, a magic drum, and more. In French with English subtitles. (84 mins., video)