From April 1-3, 2011, the SLC Film Center in Salt Lake CIty, Utah, presents the inaugural Tumbleweeds Film Festival for Children and Youth – the only film festival of its kind in the intermountain west. The 1st annual festival features a jam-packed program of feature-length films from around the world. This year’s festival presents films from ten countries including The Netherlands, Germany and Ireland. Two of the films will be screened in their original language with English subtitles that will be read aloud by a “subtitle reader.” In addition to film screenings, the SLC Film Center is partnering with Spy Hop Productions to present workshops designed to introduce participants to different aspects of filmmaking.
Screenings will be presented at the Sorenson Unity Center, and the Salt Lake Film Society’s Broadway Centre Cinemas and Tower Theatre, with workshops at Spy Hop Productions and Discovery Gateway.
Many films presented in the Tumbleweeds Film Festival are unrated – unless otherwise noted.
2011 Tumbleweeds Film Festival Line-up
ALABAMA MOON
Director: Tim McCanlies
USA 2009, 89 min
Recommended for children 8 and up
Based on the acclaimed novel by Wyatt Key, this smart and heart-warming film tells the story of an isolated boy who learns the value of friendship and trusting others. Rated PG.
Official Selection of SideWalk Moving Pictures Festival 2009 – Official Selection of Austin Film Festival 2009
CARLITOS AND THE CHANCE OF A LIFETIME
Director: Jesus Del Cerro
Spain 2008, 107 min
Recommended for children 8 and up
You’ll cheer for Carlitos, an eleven-year-old orphan with two dreams: to become a great soccer player and to be adopted by a loving family. Presented in Spanish with English subtitles.
Official Selection of Febio Film Festival 2009 – Official Selection Sprockets Toronto International Film Festival for Children 2010 – Official Selection Seattle International Film Festival 2010
ELEANOR’S SECRET
Director: Dominique Monféry
France 2009, 76 min
Recommended for children 6 and up
Join seven-year-old Nat on a magical adventure in this beautiful and imaginative animated film that celebrates the joy of reading.
Official Selection of Rome Film Festival 2009 – Official Selection of Seattle Film Festival 2010 –
Official Selection of Melbourne Film Festival 2010 – Official Selection of Dubai International Film Festival 2010
FROM TIME TO TIME
Director: Julian Fellowes
UK, 2009, 95 min
Recommended for children 8 and up
Thirteen-year-old Tolly discovers he can mysteriously travel back and forth in time, beginning a thrilling adventure to unlock an age-old family mystery.
Winner Best of Fest Chicago International Children’s Film Festival 2009 – Winner Adults Jury Award Chicago International Children’s Film Festival 2009 – Winner Futurewave Youth Special Jury Award Seattle International Film Festival 2010
LAURA’S STAR
Directors: Piet de Rycker and Thilo Graf Rothkrich
Germany, 2004, 80 min
Recommended for children 4 and up
This beautifully animated film tells a magical story about a wondrous friendship between a young girl and a shooting star.
Winner Film Award in Gold German Film Awards 2005 – Official Selection Carrousel International du Film 2005
THE RACE
Director: Andre F. Nebe
Ireland/Germany 2009, 95 min
Recommended for children 8 and up
Dreaming of becoming a great race car driver, eleven-year-old Mary sets out to prove that she has the skill to win an important go-cart race in this heart-warming film.
Official Selection Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2010 – Official Selection Copenhagen International Film Festival for Children and Youth 2009
THE SEVEN OF DARAN: THE BATTLE OF PAREO ROCK
Director: Lourens Black
The Netherlands 2008, 96 min
Recommended for children 8 and up
Unlikely friends Jimmy and Charita must race through the Southern African landscape to prevent an impending battle in this exciting and moving adventure.
Winner Young People’s Jury Award at Toronto Sprockets International Film Fest For Children 2009 –
Official Selection of Cairo International Film Festival for Children 2009 – Official Selection Nederlands Film Festival 2008
SNOWMEN
Director: Robert Kirbyson
USA, 2009, 86 min
Recommended for children 8 and up
Filmed on location in Park City and inspired by real events, this warm-hearted film follows ten-year-old Billy and his misfit friends on a winter quest to set a Guinness World Record. Rated PG for thematic material, some rough bullying and peril, language and brief juvenile humor.
Official Selection, 2010 Tribeca Film Festival
STELLA AND STAR OF THE ORIENT
Director: Erna Schmidt
Germany 2007, 86 min
Recommended for children 6 and up
Finding herself transported one hundred years in the past, ten-year-old Stella embarks on a fun-filled and action-packed adventure in search of a secret treasure. Presented in German with English subtitles.
Winner Best of Fest Chicago International Children’s Film Festival 2008 – Official Selection Copenhagen International Film Festival for Children and Youth 2009 – Official Selection Mill Valley Film Festival 2009
TURTLE: THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY
Director: Nick Stringer
UK/Austria/Germany 2009, 81 min
Recommended for children 8 and up
Experience and enjoy one of the most fascinating and extraordinary migration stories in the animal kingdom in this breathtaking film about the loggerhead turtle’s incredible journey.
Official Selection Toronto International Film Festival 2009 – Official Selection London Film Festival 2009 – Official Selection Seattle International Film Festival 2010
WHAT’S ON YOUR PLATE?
Director: Catherine Gund
USA 2009, 76 min
Recommended for children 10 and up.
Sadie and Safiyah, two sixth-grade students set out to discover where the food they eat comes from in this fun and fascinating documentary.
Official Selection Berlin International Film Festival 2009 – Official Selection Seattle International Film Festival 2009
Workshops for Kids!
Vox Pop Attack / 9 am-12 pm / Ages 10 – 14 / Spy Hop – 511 W. 200 S.
Come up with one question, and see how everyone answers differently on camera. Edit it all together to get a short take on a modern documentary style.
The Filmmaker Experience / 9 am-12 pm / Ages 7 – 10 / Discovery Gateway – 444 W. 100 S.
Learn to take the script to screen. In this workshop you will learn the visual language of film, how to work a camera, set-up shots, direct actors, and the basics of editing.
Special FX / Ages 10 – 14 / 1-4 pm / Spy Hop – 511 W. 200 S.
Turn ducks into monsters, pencils into people! Using Adobe AfterEffects and Photoshop, the possibilities are limitless — animate a camera to fly through your scene or simulate weather animations like snow and rain, and add special effects and lighting.
LEGO Live! LEGO animation / Ages 7 – 10 / 1-4 pm @ Spy Hop – 511 W. 200 S.
Bring your LEGOs to life in this introduction to animation class. Write, produce and direct a short-film involving LEGO mini-figs and set designs.
source: Tumbleweeds Film Festival for Children and Youth