Fri, Dec 5 | 10 AM
Children of Heaven
(Majid Majidi, 1997, Iran)
Ages 8 and up

“A perfect movie for children.”—Roger Ebert

This uplifting film offers a moving, approachable introduction to a very different county and culture: Iran. It was the first Iranian film to earn an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film, and it’s become an international children’s classic. The film beautifully tells a simple story--about a young brother and sister’s loss of a pair of shoes and their attempts to solve their dilemma--full of rich details. Rated PG for some language. (89 mins., 35 mm)


Fri, Dec 5 | 12 PM
Nocturna
(Adrià García & Victor Maldonado, 2007, Spain)
Ages 6 and up

This lusciously animated film shows what happens when Tim, a boy who’s afraid of the dark, stays up and ventures out one night while everyone else is in bed. He discovers a magical world and helps to solve a mystery in the wondrous--and sometimes scary--night, and his adventures give him the confidence to overcome his fears. This film from Spain (dubbed into English) is filled with the joy of discovery and creates an inventive world in ways that recall classic children’s literature and animation. (80 mins., 35 mm)


Mon, Dec 8 | 10 AM
Tainá 2: A New Amazon Adventure
(Mauro Lima, 2004, Brazil)
Ages 6 and up

Voted Best Live-Action Film—Children’s Jury Prize, Chicago International Children’s Film Festival

A sequel to one of the most popular movies from our 2006 festival, this will transport students on a vivid excursion to the tropics while raising there awareness of cultural and environmental issues. Tainá, a girl warrior who’s now 13, wanders the Amazon rainforest in harmony with its lush trees, brightly plumaged birds, and exotic animals. This time she leads a tribe of youngsters in an adventure to foil a team of illegal poachers. Kids and grownups will delight in this story of friendship, courage, and the importance of environmental conservation. Subtitles will be read aloud. (76 mins., 35 mm)


Mon, Dec 8 | 12 PM
JUMP!
(Helen Hood Scheer, 2007, USA)
Ages 8 and up

“Brilliant! I am ready to go buy a jump rope right this second…I genuinely loved this documentary…This story deserves to be seen.”—Film Threat

Forget what you think you know about jump roping. Modern competitive jump roping is “part gymnastics, part dance, and part jump rope…easily one of the most compelling, fast-moving sports ever seen” (About Cleveland). This lively and inspiring documentary follows five teams from around the United States (including two from Ohio) who push their physical and psychological limits in pursuit of winning the World Rope Skipping Championship. The extreme athleticism of the kids combines with astonishingly creative choreography in moves and routines that burst with rhythm, sweat, and originality. (85 mins., video)