BAMKids Film Fest

Fancy the cinema? Don’t mind if we do—especially when the screen
shows slapstick comedy shorts or the next magical talent from the Netherlands.
Just head to Brooklyn! —

The 14th Annual BAMKids Film Festival kicks off this weekend
(February 4-5) with an abundance of exciting choices. This year, the artsy fest
received over 70 quality submissions from around the world (26 countries if we’re
getting down to the nitty gritty), prompting them to divide their screenings
into two categories: ages 2-5 and 5-8.

Fanatics of Mo Willems (we know who you are) can indulge in a on-screen
version of his book Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed and Sandra Boynton
aficionados don’t want to miss out on Kevin and Michael Bacon’s dance moves in Philadelphia
Chickens.

Looking for a story with a good lesson in tow? Then be sure to catch Morrison
Gets a Baby Sister, and The Magicians: The Secret, which wrestle
with family relationships and problem solving from a child’s point of view. Families
who prefer to jam together should check out live musical and multimedia
performances by Oran Etkin’s
Timbalooloo: Wake Up Clarinet! and PASTA! A Pop Ups Puppet Musical.

On a local note, this year’s festival boasts a record number of
NY, U.S. and world premieres—78% of the films in the festival are new to New
York and 23% of those have not yet been screened in the United States. One
premiere that you’ll definitely want to catch features our Arctic friend, Pingu
the Penguin—Pingu: Pancakes, which will have the entire family caught up
in the antics of this lovable character.

PHOTO CREDIT: Morrison Gets a Baby Sister