We have a winner!
The film chosen as Best of the Fest was "Andy: A Dog's Tale," an uplifting story about a service dog named Andy. Congrats to director Jamy Wheless, one of the directors who attended the Zoom Q&A. One nine-year-old film fest attendee wrote, "The Andy movie shows that we shouldn't give up if we really want to help people."
On Sunday, November 2, over 80 audience members were treated to the 8th Annual Northbrook International Children's Film Fest, co-hosted by the Chicago-based International Children's Media Center. Kids watched 11 short films from eight countries, and afterward, they had the opportunity to meet and chat with some of the directors in a special Zoom Q&A! The directors who joined the Q&A were:
- Barry Bilinsky, director of Wâhkôhtowin, a film about the power of storytelling in indigenous cultures.
- Casey McDonald, director of Wings, a film about the friendship between an injured bird and a mouse who wants to fly. (USA)
- Timon Birkhofer, director of Dawn, a film about people who have followed their dreams beyond preconceived ideas of what is possible.
- Jenn Shaw, director of Charlie and the Hunt, about a girl who goes on an adventure to recover a family treasure.
- Jamy Wheless, director of Andy, A Dog's Tale, a film about a puppy who overcomes a series of obstacles to find his purpose in life.
- Philip Watts, director of Bellysaurus, a film about a dinosaur who finds an unlikely friend after being picked on by his peers.
- A special thanks to the Friends of the Northbrook Public Library for co-sponsoring this program.
Co-hosted by the Chicago-based International Children’s Media Center, the live festival screening will showcase eleven captivating films from eight different countries, including India, Italy, and the UK. With the theme "What a Wonderful World," these unique films will inspire the imaginations of children and adults alike. The films will appeal to children ages 5-10, but even older kids will find something to love in this international mini-festival.
About the films
Andy: A Dog’s Tale
USA/Serbia, 2023, 7 min. Directed by Jamy Wheless. It is an uplifting story about how a puppy overcomes a series of obstacles to find his purpose in life. Non-verbal.
Bellysaurus
Australia, 2021, 8 min. Directed by Philip Watts. After getting picked on by his peers, a young dinosaur finds an unlikely friend. Non-verbal.
Charlie and the Hunt
USA, 2022, 15 min. Directed by Jenn Shaw. A girl goes on an adventure to face her fears and recover a family treasure. In English and ASL with English subtitles.
Dawn
USA, Germany, 2021, 4 mins. Directed by Timon Birkhofer. Five unique individuals take us on a journey where their achievements shine beyond preconceived ideas of what is possible. Non-verbal.
El Charango
Italy, 2022, 3 min. Directed by Paola Luciani. A traditional Andean folktale about how the armadillo became a beautiful stringed instrument called the charango. In Italian with English subtitles.
Hamsa
USA, 2020, 5 min. Directed by Daniela Dwek. On a trip to the market, a mother and daughter discover that the people they were afraid of are kind and helpful. In English.
Hanami
USA, 2020, 4 min. Directed by Lisa Maeda. A young girl in a Japanese internment camp during World War II creates a beautiful world of flowers and color in her journal. Non-verbal.
o28
France, 2019, 5 mins. Directed by Otalia Caussé, Geoffroy Collin, Louise Grardel, Antoine Marchand, Robin Merle, and Fabien Meyran. In Lisbon, a German married couple is about to ride the legendary n°28 tramway when the brakes let go and take them on an adventurous race - with a baby on board. Non-verbal.
Spirit of the Forest
India, 2022, 7 min. Directed by Nirupa Rao. A little girl learns about an ancient swamp from its spirit, taking her through history and teaching her the importance of the forest. In Kannada with English subtitles.
Wâhkôhtowin (All My Relations)
Canada, 2021, 6 min. Directed by Barry Bilinsky. A grandmother speaks to her grandchildren about the power of storytelling in indigenous cultures. She tells the story of creation and how the ancestors are always with them. In English and Cree with English subtitles.
Wings
USA, 2019, 6 min. Directed by Casey McDonald. A friendship blossoms between an injured bird and a mouse who wants to fly. Non-verbal.
Special Thanks to:
Friends of the Northbrook Public Library
