Sep 27, 2010
Festival
The first NY/SF International Children’s Film Festival, presented by the San Francisco Film Society and the New York International Children’s Film Festival, wrapped a very successful three-day celebration of diverse, enlightening, inspiring and entertaining films for kids ages 3-18 and their families on Sunday, and announced the winners of the best feature film and the best short film, as selected by the weekend’s audiences.
“We were thrilled to present the Film Society’s first International Children’s Film Festival in San Francisco,” said Director of Programming Rachel Rosen. “From the beginning this was envisioned as an annual festival in the Film Society’s Fall Season. The enthusiasm of the audience and the fact that we more than doubled our attendance expectations confirm our intention to proceed. Planning for the second NY/SFICFF has already begun.”
The Secret of Kells (Ireland 2009), Tomm Moore’s 2010 Academy Award nominee for Best Animated Feature, scored highest in the audience voting for best feature film. The tally also showed strong support for two animated features from Japan, Shinsuke Sato’s Oblivion Island and Mamoru Hosoda’s Summer Wars.
A beautifully rendered adaptation of Oliver Jeffers’ award-winning book Lost and Found (England 2010), directed by Philip Hunt, won the audience award for best short film. Oktapodi the Academy Award nominee from France was a close second in the polling.
On closing night Matthew Douglas, branch manager for Festival sponsor HSBC Premier presented the HSBC Environmental Award to director Jacques-Rémy Girerd for his thrilling eco-adventure Mia & the Migoo (France 2008).
In addition to the Festival’s public programs, on September 23 and 24 the Film Society’s Youth Education program presented free, sold-out screenings of Eleanor’s Secret, Turtle: The Incredible Journey, Sounds Like Teen Spirit and Girls’ POV, a special program of short films for girls only, to elementary and middle school classes.
Throughout the weekend Festival attendees 18-years-old and under were invited to submit an essay about a festival film to the Nellie Wong Magic of Movies Education Fund’s NY/SFICFF Essay Contest. Cash prizes from $50 to $500 will be awarded to winners and runners-up in elementary, middle and high school divisions. The deadline for submissions is October 15, and the winners will be notified November 12.
NY/SF International Children’s Film Festival was sponsored by HSBC Premier with additional support from the Wallace Alexander Gerbode Foundation. The screening of Turtle: The Incredible Journey was presented with support from the Goldman Environmental Prize.
For photos and press materials visit: sffs.org/pressdownloads
SFFS FALL SEASON
September 24-26: NY/SF International Children’s Film Festival
A celebration of diverse, enlightening, inspiring and entertaining films for kids ages 6-18 and their families
October 2: Film in the Fog: The Incredible Shrinking Man
Free family-friendly outdoor screening of the 1957 sci-fi classic
October 4: Film Arts Forum: Pitch Perfect
A panel and networking event focusing on the mechanics of effective pitching for documentaries and narrative features
October 22-24: Taiwan Film Days
A showcase of the best contemporary Taiwanese cinema
October 28-November 3: French Cinema Now
Significant new works from one of the world’s most renowned filmmaking countries
November 4: Sneak Preview: Nice Guy Johnny
Indie director Edward Burns presents his new film in person
November 5-8: Cinema by the Bay
Celebrating the passion, innovation and diversity of Bay Area filmmaking
November 10: Roman Polanski: Short Films with Live Music by Sza/Za
Rarely seen early short films by the master director with live musical accompaniment by the Warsaw-based electro-acoustical duo Sza/Za
November 11-14: San Francisco International Animation Festival
The boldest and most exciting animated films from around the world
November 14-21: New Italian Cinema
Celebrating the rich cinematic tradition of Italy and its newest generation of filmmakers
December 14: Sir Arne’s Treasure with the Mountain Goats
Mauritz Stiller’s classic Swedish silent film with live music by one of indie rock’s most distinctive voices