Wexner Center for the Arts: Visit: Zoom Family Film Festival

Zoom: Family Film Festival 2010

December 2-5, 2010

The Wexner Center’s popular Zoom: Family Film Festival, featuring four days of entertaining and acclaimed family-friendly films from around the globe, will take place December 2–5, 2010. This year’s festival, the seventh annual, features the return of Jim Henson’s Muppets™ in new behind-the-scenes moments from Sesame Street, short films from around the world, many animated shorts, and a Charlie Chaplin classic for the whole family. The festival also includes a free screening of the Midwest premiere of The Crocodiles, an action-filled comedy from Germany about a boy in a wheelchair who tries to fit into the coolest gang of neighborhood kids in a crime-busting adventure.

The festival is not just about watching films: On Saturday morning, families can enjoy the free Breakfast Pajama Party before attending Kids Flix Mix, which showcases the best animated films of the New York International Children’s Film Festival 2010. On Saturday afternoon, everyone can enjoy the free Ice Cream Social with Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams.

Sunday this year is all about Sesame Street with three films that celebrate 40 years of the famous children’s public television show (that day is also the Wexner Center’s Super Sunday).

Notes Chris Stults, co-organizer of Zoom and associate curator in the Wexner Center’s film department, “In an attempt to offer up an alternative for families who are looking for something other than cineplex fare, this festival brings to Columbus some of the best animation and films for children from around the globe. It’s a diverse selection that all ages will find appealing.”

Jean Pitman, co-organizer of the event and the Wexner Center’s educator for youth programs, says, “Zoom is a great opportunity for families to experience the world through watching a film together on the big screen, and the Wex is committed to making this event affordable for families and friends.” Parents can call Pitman at 614-292-4614 to discuss any film before viewing it with children.

Schedule

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2

In the Attic | 7 PM
(Jiri Barta, 2009, Czech Republic)
Recommended for ages 10 and up (some scenes of danger may frighten younger viewers)

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3

The Circus | 7 PM
(Charles Chaplin, 1928, U.S.)
Recommended for ages 6 and up

“One of the loveliest screen experiences. Perhaps the quintessential Chaplin film!”—Vincent Canby, New York Times

One of the best examples of Chaplin’s trademarked blend of hilarity and pathos, The Circus sees the Little Tramp accidentally find himself in the midst of a bustling circus troupe with the unfortunate ability of making everyone around him laugh except when he’s actually trying to be funny. (69 mins., 35mm)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4

Breakfast & Pajama Party | 9-10 AM | FREE
(Santosh Sivan, 2008, India)
Recommended for ages 8 and up

Kids can start the weekend by staying in their PJs and heading off to Zoom for a free breakfast. A special waffle bar just for kids will be offered from Taste of Belgium.

Kids Flix Mix | 10 AM
Recommended for ages 3 and up

A brand new 2010 version of the short film collection that packed the house last year, this collection of highlights from the New York International Children’s Film Festival features an entertaining mix of musical and narrative shorts from all over the planet. (71 mins., video)

Girls POV | 12 PM
Recommended for ages 10 and up

This effervescent collection of short pieces by and about girls presents perspectives and experiences from all over the globe from Scandinavia to South America to the Middle East. (69 mins., video)

The Crocodiles | 1:30 PM | FREE
(Christian Ditter, 2009, Germany)
Recommended for ages 10 and up (includes realistic depictions of main character’s challenges, among them his need for assistance in the bathroom)

The multi-award-winning German dramatic comedy The Crocodiles focuses on Kai, a boy in a wheelchair who wants to join the cool group of kids, The Crocodiles. (98 mins., 35mm) In German with English subtitles.

Party Mix | 3:30 PM
Recommended for ages 8 and up

A riot of funky film perspectives from around the world, this collection of shorts is filled with humor and beautifully created pieces that examine everything from octopus love to loss of a loved one. (76 mins., video)

Aardman Animations: Award Winning Shorts | 7 PM
Recommended for ages 7 and up

This brilliant collection of short films contains 25 years worth of witty and inventive mini-masterpieces from the British claymation geniuses at Aardman Animation (Chicken Run). (75 mins., video)

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5

Sing! The Music of Sesame Street | 1 PM
Recommended for ages 4 and up

This salute to 40 years of Sesame Street music features original Sesame Street classics (“Rubber Duckie”), parodies (“Letter B”), and special guest appearances by musicians Paul Simon, R.E.M., Johnny Cash, Feist, Patti LaBelle, and Stevie Wonder. (82 mins., video)

Sesame Street at 40: Milestones on the Street | 2:45 PM
Recommended for ages 6 and up

This compilation features 40 years worth of important Sesame Street moments, such as the first episode, Luis and Maria’s wedding, the birth of Gabi, Miles’ adoption, the death of Mr. Hooper, a hurricane hitting Sesame Street, and guest appearances by C-3PO, R2-D2, Tony Bennett, Ben Stiller, James Gandolfini, and others. (81 mins., video)

Jim Henson & Friends: Inside the Sesame Street Vault | 4:30 PM
Recommended for ages 6 and up

This collection of favorites and rarities highlights the contributions of Jim Henson and his early Sesame Street collaborators through clips from TV specials and guest appearances on shows such as the Ed Sullivan Show and Hollywood Squares and many more! (83 mins., video) Wexner Center members qualify for a pair of free tickets for this screening (members can show their cards at the Patron Services Desk that day or pick them up in advance).

LOW-RESOLUTION PRESS IMAGE SELECTION

These images are provided exclusively to the press and may only be used for promotional purposes directly related to the corresponding Wexner Center for the Arts exhibition, or surrounding events. All reproductions must be accompanied by the proper credit line and copyright information provided below. Images must be reproduced as presented here and may not be distorted, mutilated, or cropped without permission. For hi-res images or more information please contact Karen Simonian (614) 292-9923 or KSimonian@wexarts.org or Tim Fulton (614) 688-3261 or TFulton@wexarts.org.

Click each image to view.

1.	2.
Aardman Animations: Award Winning Shorts Wallace and Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death (Nick Park, 2008) Image courtesy of gKids	Aardman Animations: Award Winning Shorts Wallace and Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death (Nick Park, 2008) Image courtesy of gKids
3.	4.
Aardman Animations: Award Winning Shorts Shaun the Sheep Image courtesy of gKids	Girls POV Popcorn and Periods (Martin Strange-Hansen, 2008) Image courtesy of gKids
5.	6.
Girls POV My Queen (Cecilia Amado, 2008) Image courtesy of gKids	Girls POV My Queen (Cecilia Amado, 2008) Image courtesy of gKids
7.	8.
*In the Attic* (Jiri Barta, 2009) Image courtesy of gKids	*In the Attic* (Jiri Barta, 2009) Image courtesy of gKids
9.	10.
*In the Attic* (Jiri Barta, 2009) Image courtesy of gKids	*In the Attic* (Jiri Barta, 2009) Image courtesy of gKids
11.	12.
*Jim Henson & Friends: Inside the Sesame Street Vault* The season 1 cast of Sesame Street	*Jim Henson & Friends: Inside the Sesame Street Vault* Paul Simon entertains some of Sesame Street's youngest residents
13.	14.
Kids Flix Mix Animals, (Kristofer Strom, 2008) Image courtesy of gKids	Party Mix French Roast , (Fabrice Joubert, 2008) Image courtesy of gKids
15.	16.
*The Circus*, (Charles Chapin, 1928) Image courtesy of Janus Films	*The Crocodiles*, (Christian Ditter, 2009) Image courtesy of Rat Pack Filmproduktion

Press release (pdf)

MEDIA CONTACT

For images, interviews, or additional information, contact Tim Fulton (614) 688-3261 or TFulton@wexarts.org or Karen Simonian (614) 292-9923 or KSimonian@wexarts.org.

ZOOM TICKET PRICES

unless otherwise noted in the schedule

General public: $3 a film (or $15 for any 6 tickets)

Wexner Center members: $2 a film (or $10 for any 6 tickets)

Tickets are available at the door or in advance at (614) 292-3535

VISITOR INFORMATION

Wexner Center is located at 1871 N. High St. at 15th Ave. at The Ohio State University (wexarts.org); call Jean Pitman, educator for youth programs, at 614 292-4614 to discuss any film before viewing it with children.

PARKING INFORMATION

Convenient parking is available in the Ohio Union Garage, with entrances from North High Street and College Road. The Wexner Center is also on several COTA bus lines (#2, #18, #31, and #84).