Laugh, wonder, learn and be amazed at the ninth annual Saugatuck Children’s Film Festival hosted by the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver St., on Nov. 19.
The festival features three sessions of professionally made films for young viewers, including foreign titles and submissions by young filmmakers.
This year’s festival is underwritten with a grant from the Academy of Motion Picture Sciences.
“We are thrilled to have received a grant from the Academy,” said SCA Executive Director Kristin Armstrong.
“This is wonderful recognition from this internationally recognized group. This year’s festival films are so strong and include award-winning titles from India, Korea, Brazil, the United States and Canada.”
She noted that adults often attend the festival, too.
“The festival films are smart, funny, so well-made, and truly span all age groups. If you enjoy film this is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon,” Armstrong said.
This year’s festival lineup includes documentary, animated and live action films. Some of the award-winning titles include:
• “A Weekend with Wendell” — Kevin Henkes’ beloved book comes to life in this film that tells the tale of a weekend with Wendell the mouse, which is anything but fun and games until Sophie asserts herself and shows Wendell that sometimes she has to be boss too.
• “Monster and Dumpling” — screened at festivals in Russia, Japan and Turkey, this animated short from Korean artist Ji Hwan Jung tells the story of an ugly monster, feared by all, who shares what he has with a little blind girl who sells dumplings in town.
• “Andy Warhol” — winner of the American Library Association’s 2007 Notable Children’s Video award, this humorous animated film, ostensibly narrated by the artist, tells the story of Warhol’s life, famous friends and unusual masterpieces.
• “Philadelphia Chickens” — a hilarious musical short based on Sandra Boynton’s cartoons. Philadelphia Chickens stars the Bacon Brothers as two pigs who travel down Interstate 95 to go watch the renowned chickens swing-dancing in a park near the Schuylkill River.
Tickets are $5 per person (good for all three sessions).
The first session (1 to 1:50 p.m.) features films for viewers 4 to 7 years old.
The second session (2 to 2:50 p.m.) is for viewers ages 8 and up, and the final session (3 to 4 p.m.) is for viewers 12 and up (note: films for older children do not contain violence or language but may be too sophisticated for younger viewers).
For more information about the ninth annual Children’s Film Festival, visit www.sc4a.org/classes.php or call (269) 857-2399.