This Year's New York International Children's Film Festival Will Focus on Activism and Action

The festival will also spotlight Canadian animation and Japanese children's films in particular.

By Jacqueline Neber February 4, 2020

This year's New York International Children's Film Festival will run from Feb. 21-March 15 and will shine a spotlight on Canadian animation, celebrate Japanese children's films and short films, and host the first-ever Industry Forum to discuss inclusion and representation in children's media. Many movies shown will tell the stories of kids who are determined to make a difference in their worlds, and who take their own first steps in activism and action.

Some of the films in the lineup this year that focus on making a difference are Forward: Tomorrow Belongs to Us from France; Frizti: A Revolutionary Tale from Germany, Belgium, Lexembourg and Czech Repubic; Too Far Away from Germany; Club of Ugly Children from Netherlands; Rocca Changes the World from Germany; and Fahim from France. These films will reflect the way kids are currently spearheading changes and movements around the world.

NYICFF will also host its inaugural forum on inclusion in the industry this year, shedding light on industry leaders who are taking big steps forward with their commitment to diversity and representation in children's film. The panel, called "To An Inclusive Future," will be held at The SVA Theatre on Feb. 28-29.

Japanese film's rich history and cultural will be celebrated through the Friends and Neighbors: Japan part of the festival, which will feature four feature films and one short film collection. The festival will open with Ayumu Watanabe's Children of the Sea.

For more information on this year's festival selections and to purchase tickets, head to the festival's website.