THE MARTHA’S VINEYARD
CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL

November 8-9
at the Grange Hall

Get ready for an unforgettable weekend with the whole family!
The Martha’s Vineyard Children’s Film Festival is packed with an amazing lineup of films and exciting activities that will leave your kids buzzing with joy.

This is a FREE event! Be sure to reserve your spot for the film screenings, as space is limited.

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Friday, November 8

6 PM Dancing Queen*

Saturday, November 9

2–5 PM Activities & Crafts in the Grange Hall

3 PM Small Stories, Big Adventures* A Short Films Program

4–5 PM Meet Tony Smalls, the miniature horse who paints!

5:30 PM Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia*

*All film screenings require the booking of individual tickets, which are general-admission and pay-what-you-can
Please scroll to purchase, and for more information*

DANCING QUEEN

Friday, November 8
6 PM

Dir. Aurora Gossé | Drama | Norway | 2023 | 1 hr. 32 min. | Norwegian, with English subtitles

A 12-year-old girl develops a huge crush on a famous dancer who moves to her town in Norway. Despite lacking dance skills, she boldly auditions for his crew, determined to impress him and follow her heart.

Please note that this film is in Norwegian, with English subtitles

MORE THAN MOVIES

Saturday, November 9
2–5 PM

Join us for an afternoon full of fun and creativity: face painting, crafts, and even opportunities to win prizes! Circuit Arts’ creative director, Danielle Mulcahy, will lead a filmmaking workshop in which participants work with a unique, old art form known as direct animation (or scratch film). Plus, Ike’s Atomic Photo Booth will also be there, to capture families’ fun, silly moments together.

Small Stories, Big Adventures:
A Celebration of Creativity
and Connection

Saturday, November 9
3 PM

34 min.
Watch a delightful mix of short films celebrating creativity, resilience, and connection. From a girl reimagining her world through music, to heartwarming stories of community and unexpected friendships, these films offer adventure and inspiration. Afterwards, kids can also vote for their favorite short film for our first-ever Children’s Choice Award!

A SHORTS PROGRAM FEATURING

  • LUCE AND THE ROCK

    Dir. Britt Raes | Animated Short Film | Belgium | 2022 | 13 min. | English subtitles

    When a peaceful village is destroyed by a towering Rock Creature, young Luce sets out to return him to his home, only to discover they may have more in common than she thought.

  • BEANBOY

    Dir. Emily Hanning | Animated Short Film | Denmark | 2023 | 6 min.

    Summer is a time of endless potential, but when a rabbit’s fears start getting in the way of having fun with his friends, Beanboy pops in and does his thing.

  • LA CALESITA

    Dir. Augusto Schillaci | Animated Short Film | U.S.A. | 2022 | 9 min. | Spanish, with English subtitles

    In this heartfelt tale, dedicated Argentinian merry-go-round operators pour their lives into bringing joy to children and their neighborhoods, showcasing a story of perseverance and the power of community over individual aspirations.

  • PUFFERFISH

    Dir. Julia Ocker | Animated Short Film | Germany | 2023 | 3 min.

    In a ocean full of big, bad fish, the pufferfish is trying to seem as big and strong as possible.

  • HOOBA

    Dir. Sem Assink | Animated Short Film | Netherlands | 2023 | 2 min.

    In 3,000 B.C., a small group of inhabitants faces harsh elements and hunger, and their impulsive actions and clumsiness unwittingly result in the construction of the mysterious standing stone structures that shape the landscape of the Netherlands.

  • PINK NOISE

    Dirs. Ulysse Lefort, Arthur Lemaȋtre, and Martin Wiklund | Animated Short Film | France | 2023 | 2 min.

    A symbolic and poetic interpretation of the life that grows in the womb of a mother-to-be.

  • WALL PIANO

    Dirs. Asma Ghannem, Christopher Marianetti, and Alexia Webster | Short Film | Palestine | 2020 | 3 min.

    This film takes us into a daydream of a young girl who lives under the shadow of a separation wall. Part music video, part magic realism, it shows a wall as something other than an immovable barrier for a group of children living near the Qalandia checkpoint in Ramallah, Palestine, a frontline of the West Bank conflict. The inspiration for this short film came from 12-year-old “Nada,” who is also featured in it.


MEET TONY SMALLS

Saturday, November 9
4–5 PM

Tony Smalls will be joining us at the festival! This talented miniature horse brings his playful spirit and creativity. Watch as he creates vibrant paintings and does some impressive tricks. It’s sure to be a hit with kids and parents alike.

ERNEST AND CELESTINE:
A TRIP TO GIBBERITIA

Saturday, November 9
5:30 PM

Dirs. Jean-Christophe Roger and Julien Chheng  | Animation / Adventure | France / Luxembourg | 2022 | 1 hr. 20 min.

Ernest  remains an ursine troubadour dedicated to a life of music and art, and his constant grouchiness is softened by the creative whims of his mouse friend Celestine. When she accidentally breaks his beloved violin, they must take a long voyage to Ernest’s country of Gibberitia, home to the only artist who can repair the instrument. But when they arrive there, they are shocked to discover that all forms of music have been banned for many years. It’s up to Ernest, Celestine, and their new friends, including a mysterious masked outlaw, to bring music and happiness back to the land of bears.

Tickets for these films are general-admission and pay-what-you-can. The suggested ticket price is $20. If you can pay more, we greatly appreciate it!

The Martha’s Vineyard Children’s Film Festival is supported by the