Providence Children's Film Festival Releases Full Schedule of Films for 10th Annual "A Decade of Wonder" Film Festival

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Jan. 29, 2019 - PRLog -- The Providence Children's Film Festival (PCFF) announces this year's full schedule of films, activities, workshops, field trips and community collaborations. The much-anticipated 10th annual "A Decade of Wonder" Providence Children's Film Festival announces 140 thoughtfully selected films including 104 shorts, 13 feature-length, 6 live-action, 4 animated, 3 documentaries, one classic, more than two dozen youth-made films and a past favorite, in addition to an array of PCFF's own Reel Connections presentations, workshops, and field trips. Films will be screened in Providence, Newport and others venues across Rhode Island from February 15 to 24 with interactive field trips running February 26 to 28. A full schedule of events and ticket information is available at www.pcffri.org.

The opening night of the Festival will take place February 15 at the RISD Museum at the Metcalf Auditorium Chace Center, featuring the East Coast premiere of Kenya's 2018 Academy Award entry for Best Foreign Film, Supa Modo, directed by Likarion Wainaina.  This magical tale is about nine-year-old Jo who daydreams of being a superhero, but when doctors reveal that she is terminally ill, her mom insists she stay home. With the entire village's support, Jo's sister helps turn her dreams into reality and she becomes the superhero everyone knows she is inside. Supa Modo is a reminder of the power of imagination, the importance of family and the value of life well lived. The opening night celebration also includes animated shorts, catering from Amos House and Campus Fine Wines and interactive filmmaking activities with Rhode Island-based filmmaker/artist Rachel Blumberg, in partnership with Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy.

This year's Festival will have moviegoers road tripping with a Norwegian teen rock band in the film Los Bando; getting to know a feisty paraplegic girl from a Himalayan village in Chuskit; understanding what childhood is like when a parent is behind bars in Tre Maison Dasan; learning to embrace a new community through sky-high adventures in Kiki's Delivery Service; exploring filmmaking in South Africa in Film School Africa; channeling super powers in hopes to of getting rid of a new step-mom in the 2019 Sundance film The Witch Hunters; and much more.

"We are thrilled to announce our thoughtfully curated films for our 10th annual Festival celebration," said Anisa Raoof, executive director of PCFF. "By giving voice to people of many cultures, the Festival's international films encourage local families to embrace a global perspective — and find themselves reflected on the screen."

2019 PCFF Feature Films:

Becoming Who I Was - A stirring tale of friendship and devotion between a Tibetan Buddhist godfather and a young boy longing for his spiritual home. Directed by Chang-Yong Moon, Jin Jeon / South Korea / 2017 / Ladakhi, Hindi and Tibetan (w/English subtitles) / 95 minutes / Ages 8+. Screenings: Monday, February 18, 12 p.m. - Gilder Center for the Arts at Wheeler School (may be followed by a Reel Connections presentation) and Saturday, February 23, 3:30 p.m. - Metcalf Auditorium Chace Center/RISD Museum (may be followed by a Reel Connections presentation).

Chuskit - To chase her dream of going to school in her remote Himalayan village, a feisty paraplegic girl locks horns with her tradition-bound grandfather. Directed by Priya Ramasubban / India / 2018 / Ladakhi (w/English subtitles) / 89 min / Ages 10+. Screenings: Monday, February 18, 10 a.m. - Avon Cinema (may be followed by a Reel Connections presentation) and Thursday, February 21, 1 p.m. - Barrington Public Library.

Film School Africa - Young adults in an impoverished South African community discover how storytelling through film changes their community and themselves. Directed by Nathan Pfaff / USA, South Africa / 2017 / In English or w/English subtitles / 89 min / Ages 13+. Monday, February 18, 4 p.m. - Gilder Center for the Arts @Wheeler School (may be followed by a Reel Connections presentation) and Tuesday, February 19, 1:30 p.m. - Newport Art Museum (may be followed by a Reel Connections presentation).

Kiki's Delivery Service (Film Classic) - Kiki finds fitting into a new community difficult while she supports herself by running an air courier service, but she ends up with the adventure of a lifetime. Directed by Hayao Miyazaki / Japan / 1989 / In English / 103 min / All ages. Saturday, February 16, 1:45 p.m. - Avon Cinema and Sunday, February 24, 3:15 p.m. - Metcalf Auditorium Chace Center/RISD Museum.

Kīpuka: An Anti-Bullying Project  Hawai'ian teens present stories of hope filled with hard-earned wisdom and insight. Directed by Jeremiah Tayao / USA / 2018 / In English / 66 min / Ages 10+. Saturday, February 16, 7:30 p.m. - Woodman Family Community & Performance Center @Moses Brown School and Sunday, February 24, 11:45 a.m. - RISD Auditorium Building (may be followed by a Reel Connections presentation).

Los Bando - Teen band Los Bando Immortale got accepted to the national rock championship. All they need is a bassist, a driver and...a singer! This is a rollicking road trip movie you won't forget. Directed by Christian Lo / Sweden, Norway / 2018 / Norwegian (w/English subtitles) / 94 minutes / Ages 10+. Monday, February 18, 2 p.m. - Avon Cinema (may be preceded by a Reel Connections presentation) and Saturday, February 16, 11:45 a.m. - Avon Cinema.

Rafiki - Being true to yourself can have unintended consequences in this tender, coming-of-age love story between teen girls. Directed by Wanuri Kahiu / Kenya / 2018 / In English and Swahili (w/English subtitles) / 82 minutes / Ages 13+. Screenings Sunday, February 17, 2 p.m. - Avon Cinema (may be followed by a Reel Connections presentation) and Saturday, February 23, 4:00 PM - RISD Auditorium Building.

The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales - If you think life in the country is a walk in the park, think again. The adventures of these hilarious animal misfits will keep you in stitches. Directed by Patrick Imbert, Benjamin Renner / France / 2017 / In English / 83 minutes / All ages. Sunday, February 17, 10:15 a.m. - Avon Cinema, Monday, February 18, 1:30 p.m. - Newport Art Museum and Saturday, February 23, 10 a.m. - Metcalf Auditorium Chace Center/RISD Museum.

The Secret of Kells (Festival Flashback) - Color and detail dazzle in this Academy Award-nominated animated film filled with magic, fantasy and Celtic mythology. Directed by Tom Moore, Nora Twomey / Ireland, France, Belgium / 2009 / In English / 75 min / All ages. Sunday, February 17, 3:15 PM - Newport Art Museum (may be followed by a Reel Connections presentation), Tuesday, February 19, 12:30 p.m. - Providence Athenaeum and Saturday, February 23, 1:45 p.m. - Metcalf Auditorium Chace Center/RISD Museum (may be followed by a Reel Connections presentation).

The Witch Hunters - What if your friend suspects her stepmother is a witch and needs help freeing her father? Superpowers could be useful, especially if cerebral palsy makes walking difficult. What's a 10-year-old to do?  Directed by Rasko Miljkovic / Serbia, Macedonia / 2018 / Serbian (w/English subtitles) / 86 minutes / Ages 10+. Sunday, February 17, 10:00 a.m. - Gilder Center for the Arts @Wheeler School and Sunday, February 24, 11:30 a.m. - Metcalf Auditorium Chace Center/RISD Museum.

Tito and the Birds: When mass hysteria grips his city, 10-year-old Tito discovers a way to liberate the community from paralyzing fear. Directed by Gustavo Steinberg, Gabriel Bitar, André Catoto / Brazil / 2018 / In English / 72 minutes / Ages 10+. Saturday, February 16, 4:15 p.m. - Gilder Center for the Arts @Wheeler School and Monday, February 18, 12 p.m. - Avon Cinema.

Tre Maison Dasan: This Rhode Island film is an exploration of relationships and separation, masculinity, and coming of age in America when a parent is behind bars. Directed by Denali Tiller / USA / 2017 / In English / 93 minutes / Ages 13+. Sunday, February 17, 3:45 p.m. - Gilder Center for the Arts @Wheeler School (may be followed by a Reel Connections presentation) and Saturday, February 23, 1:30 PM - RISD Auditorium Building (may be followed by a Reel Connections presentation).

2019 Short Film Reels:

For a full schedule of films, visit www.pcffri.org.

A Decade of Wonder (PCFF Shorts Collection) takes viewers on a reel walk down memory lane with creative short films from the past nine Festivals. All ages.

Films include 3 X 3; Autumn Leaves; Bear Story; Cows; Davy Crocket; Electric Car; Just Breathe; Much Better Now; Negative Space; Octopus; Parallelostory; Scared is Scared; The Bookmobile; Wind and Young(ish).

Be Strong. Be Kind. 2019 (PCFF Shorts Collection)

The stories on this all-ages reel inspire us to see things in another way. All ages.

Films include All in Good Time; Box, The; Elephant; Funny Fish; Hedgehog; Like an Elephant in a China Shop; Link; Robot & The Whale; Sandpit, The and Wings.

Bodies in Motion (PCFF Shorts Collection)

This all-ages reel includes a dance done completely underwater, a girl determined to be taught the art of wire walking, and a sloth that should never order ice cream again. All ages.
Films include: #88; 349; A Dreamer's Melody; Able; Ama; Dachshund; Mirette; Sloth; Theory of Sunset and The Tubular.

CineEspañol (PCFF Shorts Collection)

PCFF is debuts its first Spanish language shorts reel. Ages 10+
Films include The Horse's Stone (Piedra de caballo), Dear Pope Francis; The Good Mother (La madre buena); Star Dust (Polvo de estrellas); and My Grandmother (Mi abuelita).

Finding Your Voice 2019 (PCFF Shorts Collection)

These four eclectic films share stories of people, young and old, practicing and refining activities they love in order to sharpen or share their "voice". Ages 8+
Films include A Field Guide to Being a 12-Year-Old-Girl; Audition; Janice Lee Kelly: Balloon Sculptor; and Prodigy

Get Up! Stand Up! 2019 (PCFF Shorts Collection)

The shorts on this reel show that life is about overcoming obstacles. Ages 10+
Films include Carlotta's Face; Granbad; High Score; If You Fall; Loser Leaves Town; Mary Anning; Miikshi the Meek Sheep in the Cosmic Potato; Power of Expectations and The Paper Beast.

Magic Carpet Ride 2019 (PCFF Shorts Collection)

These all-ages shorts explore the cinematic wonders of the world from nine different countries.  All ages. Films include A View From the Window; Anglerfish; Automne; Dark, Dark Woods; Drops; Jellyfish; Little Bird and the Caterpillar; The Miles Away; Mr. Night Has a Day Off; Take A Walk Around the Block; Unexpected Discoveries; Woolworld and By My Side.

More Than A Selfie 2019 (PCFF Shorts Collection)

This shorts compilation shares stories of developing or accepting one's own identity. Ages 10+
Films include Beauty; Belly Flop; Bumblebees; Game Changer; Lilli within the Clouds; L I S T E N and You Look Scary.

Passionate Pursuits 2019 (PCFF Shorts Collection)

People with passion so strong, they live, practice, or focus more effort towards their goal than anything else. Ages 10+
Films include A Butcher's Heart; Girl on A Mission; Hors Piste; Pig on the Hill; Sheep; SiG; Toymaker and Transmitter/Receiver.

Kid Flicks One (Best of 2018 New York International Children's Film Fest)

The shorts on this all-ages reel are selected for younger minds with some award-winning stories. All ages.

Kid Flicks Two (Best of 2018 New York International Children's Film Fest)

The memorable shorts in this collection are curated for children ages 10 and older. Ages 10+

Youth Filmmaker Showcase

This juried collection of youth (ages 5-17) produced animation, live action, experimental and documentary films celebrates their creative vision and stories from around the world. Visit www.pcffri.org for complete film list with plot descriptions. Juried by our Director of Programming and community jury members.

Youth Films Vol. 1 (Ages 13+): Broad Daylight (Barrington, RI); Choices (Woonsocket, RI); Clueless (Barrington, RI); Dashed (Providence, RI); Desperate, Anything Helps! (Barrington, RI); Dragons of Maritten; Grey Heart; Infinity; My Black Is and Wanderer.

Youth Films Vol. 2 (All ages): Astronaut Starbright; Brilliant Motion (Woonsocket, RI); Desperate, Anything Helps! (Barrington, RI); Home Away From Home (Woonsocket, RI); Ignore Them; Jump is my Weapon; Lily Goes Fishing; Margo; Memory; Mr. Orange and Baby Snot; My Black Is; Parker Bubblegum; Sweet Childhood; The Dog Story and The Squirrel.

For a full schedule of films, events and ticket information, visit www.pcffri.org