Aug
1
Freedom & Unity / Conversations from the Open Road
SYNOPSIS A selection of short films made by local Vermont teens, selected from the winners of the Freedom & Unity Youth Film Competition and the Conversations from the Open Road showcase. “Freedom & Unity TV Collection” is an annual juried film competition for young Vermonters who have made short films about their lives, passions and interests in their home state of Vermont. Conversations from the Open Road showcases the work of Vermont high school and college students, as part of a two-week digital journalism and storytelling media program. SCREENING INFORMATION Date: Sunday, August 27th, 2017 Time: 10:00 am Location: Marquis…
Jul
29
Jesús
VERMONT PREMIERE SYNOPSIS On an ordinary day, and an ordinary trip to the park, Jesús, who uses a wheelchair to get around, begins to see that his life will be different from the other kids. “Comprehension is compassion.” SCREENING INFORMATION Date: Saturday, August 26th, 2017 Time: 10:30 am Location: Dana Auditorium CREDITS Director: Brian Patterson Writer: Brian Patterson Producer: Diego Cazarez FILM INFORMATION Genre: Narrative Short, Family Length: 13 min Location: USA Language: English, Spanish (English subtitles) Recommended Age 10+
Jul
29
Light Sight
https://vimeo.com/162086737 VERMONT PREMIERE SYNOPSIS M.E., the imprisoned character in a room, is attracted to a hanging light and tries to catch it. But the room itself becomes an obstacle in his way. SCREENING INFORMATION Date: Saturday, August 26th, 2017 Time: 10:30 am Location: Dana Auditorium CREDITS Director: Seyed M. Tabatabaei Writer: Seyed M. Tabatabaei Producer: Simin F. Ahmadi FILM INFORMATION Genre: Narrative Short, Animation, Family Length: 8 min Location: Iran Language: None Recommended Age 10+
Aug
1
Monkey Business: The Adventures of Curious George’s Creators
https://youtu.be/u-SsO2Ezdd4 SYNOPSIS A documentary film exploring the extraordinary lives of Hans and Margret Rey, the authors of the beloved Curious George children's books. SCREENING INFORMATION Date: Sunday, August 27th, 2017 Time: 4:00 pm Location: Dana Auditorium CREDITS Director: Ema Ryan Yamazaki Writer: Erin Sanger Producers: Jeremy Boros & Annie Bush FILM INFORMATION Genre: Documentary Feature, Family Length: 82 min Location: USA Language: English
Aug
1
New York Children’s International Film Festival: Selected Shorts
https://youtu.be/fubu-AnUDNI SYNOPSIS Featuring the 2017 NYICFF Grand Prize winner “Heads Together,” from Festival alumni and Academy Award nominees Job, Joris, & Marieke, this wonderful collection of short films also boasts the Grown-ups Award winner “Riceballs,” and Audience Award winner “Welcome to my Life.” SCREENING INFORMATION Date: Saturday, August 26th, 2017 Time: 10:30 am Location: Marquis Main FILM INFORMATION Genre: Narrative Shorts, Animation, Family, Length: 74 min Location: USA Language: English Recommended Age 8 to Adult
Jul
29
The Owl and The Lemming
SYNOPSIS The oral history of the Inuit is filled with many folktales, legends and myths. In this traditional story, a young owl catches a lemming to eat but is outsmarted by the more vulnerable lemming. A brief meditation on why pride and arrogance are to be avoided, the film utilizes puppets, composited photographs and a set made with actual Arctic plants and lichen to create an authentic retelling of this ancient Arctic fable. SCREENING INFORMATION Date: Sunday, August 27th, 2017 Time: 4:00 pm Location: Marquis Main CREDITS Director: Roselynn Akulukjuk Writer: Roselynn Akulukjuk & Neil Christopher Producer: Neil Christopher &…
Aug
1
Pop Aye
https://youtu.be/5ku1ZPsWqM0 SYNOPSIS On a chance encounter, a disenchanted architect bumps into his long-lost elephant on the streets of Bangkok. Excited, he takes his elephant on a journey across Thailand, in search of the farm where they grew up together. SCREENING INFORMATION Date: Sunday, August 27th, 2017 Time: 4:00 pm Location: Marquis Main CREDITS Director: Kirsten Tan Writer: Kirsten Tan Producer: Wenhong Huang FILM INFORMATION Genre: Narrative Feature, Family Length: 104 min Location: Thailand Language: Thai (English subtitles)
Jul
29
Stars
VERMONT PREMIERE SYNOPSIS Grandpa and grandson are street sellers selling stars in a town near the shore. One night, they alas run out of the stars. SCREENING INFORMATION Date: Saturday, August 26th, 2017 Time: 10:30 am Location: National Bank of Middlebury CREDITS Director: Hans Zhang Writer: Hans Zhang Producer: Hans Zhang FILM INFORMATION Genre: Narrative Short, Animation, Family Length: 5 min Location: China Language: None
Jul
29
The Sunrise Storyteller
https://vimeo.com/207300702 VERMONT PREMIERE SYNOPSIS “The Sunrise Storyteller” follows the journey of teenage filmmaker and social justice advocate Kasha Sequoia Slavner as, on her 16th birthday, she sets out across the world for six months in search of stories of hope and resilience that shine a light on what it means to be a global citizen and how we can all make a difference. SCREENING INFORMATION Date: Saturday, August 26th, 2017 Time: 10:30 am Location: National Bank of Middlebury CREDITS Director: Kasha Sequoia Slavner (will attend the festival) Writer: Kasha Sequoia Slavner Producer: Marla G. Slavner FILM INFORMATION Genre: Documentary Feature,…
Jul
29
Swim Team
https://vimeo.com/208237156 SYNOPSIS Parents of a boy on the autism spectrum form a competitive swim team, recruiting other teens on the spectrum and training them with high expectations and zero pity. Swim Team chronicles the extraordinary rise of three diverse young athletes, capturing a moving quest for inclusion, independence and a life that feels winning. Closing Night Film On-Stage Conversation | Director Lara Stolman talks with MNFF Artistic Director Jay Craven about the making of this inspiring documentary. SCREENING INFORMATION Date: Sunday, August 27th, 2017 Time: 7:30 pm Location: Town Hall Theater CREDITS Director: Lara Stolman (will attend the Festival) Producer:…
Jul
29
Then Who?
WORLD PREMIERE SYNOPSIS Three children and their babysitter discover that the cookies from the cookie jar have been stolen. They conduct an investigation to uncover the cookie thief amongst them. SCREENING INFORMATION Date: Saturday, August 26th, 2017 Time: 10:30 am Location: National Bank of Middlebury CREDITS Director: Sofi Taylor (will attend the Festival) Writer: Sofi Taylor Producer: Sofi Taylor FILM INFORMATION Genre: Narrative Short, Family Length: 13 min Location: USA Language: English
Jul
29
When I Stutter
https://vimeo.com/150137350 NORTHEASTERN PREMIERE SYNOPSIS A documentary that reveals the humanity that exists within an often mysterious malady. Over the course of 4.5 years, 19 people shared stories about how stuttering has impacted their lives. These stories run the gamut of human emotions, some dark, some funny, others triumphant. Interspersed throughout the documentary are “educational vignettes” that help illuminate some of the mysteries and questions that surround stuttering. SCREENING INFORMATION Date: Saturday, August 26th, 2017 Time: 10:30 am Location: Dana Auditorium CREDITS Director: John Gomez (will attend the Festival) Writer: Scott Palasik, Dennis Fulgoni, & John Gomez Producer: John Gomez FILM…
