Want to find the best international, classic or unusual movies for kids? We've carefully assembled a list of films on DVD that have played the New York Int'l Children's Film Festival, as well as some of our own favorites! Even better: Every DVD you buy through this site helps make us rich. Not Bill Gates rich. Just “not-in-spiraling-amounts-of-debt” rich. Ka-ching!
Tales of the Night
Age Recommendation: 8+ Director: Michel Ocelot
From the imagination of internationally renowned animator Michel Ocelot (Kirikou and the Sorceress, Azur & Asmar) comes a magical and visually stunning new film, delighting kids, families and animation fans of all ages. Silhouetted characters are set off against exquisitely detailed...
From the imagination of internationally renowned animator Michel Ocelot (Kirikou and the Sorceress, Azur & Asmar) comes a magical and visually stunning new film, delighting kids, families and animation fans of all ages. Silhouetted characters are set off against exquisitely detailed Day-Glo backgrounds bursting with color and kaleidoscopic patterns, as the film weaves together six exotic fables each unfolding in a unique locale, from Tibet, to medieval Europe, and even the Land of the Dead. In Ocelot's celebrated storytelling, history blends with fairytale as viewers are whisked off to visit enchanted lands full of dragons, shape-shifting werewolves, captive princesses, and enormous talking bees - and each fable ends with its own ironic twist.
"Michel Ocelot's ravishing animation and magical storytelling are a delight from start to finish!" - Empire
Age Recommendation: 9 to Adult Director: Nina Paley
"100% Fresh!" (Rotten Tomatoes) Tragedy, comedy and musical collide in this gloriously animated festival favorite film from New York’s own "One Woman Pixar" (Wired). Sita is a goddess separated from her beloved Lord and husband Rama. Nina is an animator whose husband moves to India, then dumps her by email. Three bickering shadow puppets act as comic narrators as these old and new stories are interwoven in a post-modern retelling of the ancient Indian epic Ramayana, animated in a dazzling mix of traditional and collage animation styles.
"100% Fresh!" (Rotten Tomatoes) Tragedy, comedy and musical collide in this gloriously animated festival favorite film from New York’s own "One Woman Pixar" (Wired). Sita is a goddess separated from her beloved Lord and husband Rama. Nina is an animator whose husband moves to India, then dumps her by email. Three bickering shadow puppets act as comic narrators as these old and new stories are interwoven in a post-modern retelling of the ancient Indian epic Ramayana, animated in a dazzling mix of traditional and collage animation styles.
Sita Sings the Blues follows in the line of Triplets of Bellville and Spirited Away to exemplify animation as a "serious" art form -- which does not stop it from being laugh-out-loud funny! A panoply of monsters, gods, goddesses, warriors, sages, and winged eyeballs fill the screen with vivid color from start to finish, while the narrators’ improvisational debates over the Rama legend join the filmmaker’s own tragicomic story to layer a modern feminist commentary on the ancient tale. The result is a subtly subversive, visually stunning, highly original work that is as enjoyable for children as it is for adults.
Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends: The Complete First Season
Age Recommendation: 5+ Director: Various
From the subversive mind of Jay Ward comes the complete first season of this Cold War era classic. Rediscover Rocket J. Squirrel and Bullwinkle J. Moose as they race to create a rocket fuel recipe while evading the very evil...
From the subversive mind of Jay Ward comes the complete first season of this Cold War era classic. Rediscover Rocket J. Squirrel and Bullwinkle J. Moose as they race to create a rocket fuel recipe while evading the very evil Boris Badenov and the femme fatale, Bonnie-to-his-Clyde, Natasha. Laced with equal parts wit and satire, this collection includes baby-boomer favorites "Fractured Fairy Tales," Fearless Leader, Dudley Do-Right of the Mounties, and much more.
Audiences around the world continue to enjoy the lovable comic duo of the eccentric cheese-loving inventor Wallace and his faithful dog Gromit. Their short films, winners of numerous awards (including Oscars and NYICFF Grand Prizes), pack great verbal puns...
Audiences around the world continue to enjoy the lovable comic duo of the eccentric cheese-loving inventor Wallace and his faithful dog Gromit. Their short films, winners of numerous awards (including Oscars and NYICFF Grand Prizes), pack great verbal puns, wacky inventions and hand-crafted claymation into stories that are affectionate spoofs of popular movie genres. This new DVD set gathers all four short films, including the most recent Oscar-nominee A Matter of Loaf and Death, and it's a wonderful way to be introduced to two of Aardman Studio's most endearing characters. (The same films are also available on high-definition Blu-Ray.)
Age Recommendation: 11+ Director: Richard "Golly" Goleszowski
Richard "Golly" Goleszowski's Rex the Runt is the most delirious animated comedy series ever created. With his doggy chums Wendy, Bad Bob and Vince (who suffers from Random Pavarotti Disease), the wobbly, bobbly, dribbly, squiggly Rex deadpans his way through adventures veering between the surreal and the banal.
Richard "Golly" Goleszowski's Rex the Runt is the most delirious animated comedy series ever created. With his doggy chums Wendy, Bad Bob and Vince (who suffers from Random Pavarotti Disease), the wobbly, bobbly, dribbly, squiggly Rex deadpans his way through adventures veering between the surreal and the banal. Each episode is a tightly scripted, claymation hallucination--an endless flood of ideas confined within structured madness. Cities are kept as pets, dogs fall in love with vacuum cleaners and have puppies, and our beloved canine hero is transformed into a wet pile of talking noodles. Don't blink!
(Note: Some episodes contain mild profanity and drunkeness.)
A wonderful collection of shorts from the studio that redefined CGI-animated films, this new compilation brings together the shorts that have previously been seen before their feature-length films and at the NYICFF Pixar Shorts retrospective. Spanning the entire history of their company, from the days...
A wonderful collection of shorts from the studio that redefined CGI-animated films, this new compilation brings together the shorts that have previously been seen before their feature-length films and at the NYICFF Pixar Shorts retrospective. Spanning the entire history of their company, from the days of early computer-generated graphics to today's realistic marvels, these shorts demonstrate the studio's unique storytelling and sense of humor.
In this Academy Award-nominated musical comedy, The Beatles--who had recently been made an American sensation with their appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show--offer a satirical look at a day in the life of the band...
In this Academy Award-nominated musical comedy, The Beatles--who had recently been made an American sensation with their appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show--offer a satirical look at a day in the life of the band, avoiding screaming throngs of girls and singing a series of memorable tunes, including "Can't Buy Me Love," "She Loves You," "And I Love Her," not to mention the ubiquitous title track. The source of countless parodies, you'll find that The Beatles' music and high-energy antics transcend generations.
What Others Say...
"Still feels brand spanking new, and way cool!" - Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
"No movie of the 1960s catches that era's irreverent joy and exuberance as much as director Richard Lester's Beatlemania saga" - Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
"A comedy classic that cross- pollinated Jean-Luc Godard with the four Marx brothers" - John Anderson, Newsday
"Pure, infectious joy!" - Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
This sequel to A Hard Day's Night reunites director Richard Lester with the Fab Four, but adds color and a wackier kind of surreal slapstick comedy. In this spoof of The Beatles' universal popularity, an Eastern religious cult declares the ring on Ringo's finger is a powerful artifact...
This sequel to A Hard Day's Night reunites director Richard Lester with the Fab Four, but adds color and a wackier kind of surreal slapstick comedy. In this spoof of The Beatles' universal popularity, an Eastern religious cult declares the ring on Ringo's finger is a powerful artifact, and they won't stop until they have it. The worldwide travels are joined by a great Beatles soundtrack, including "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away," "Ticket To Ride," and "Help!", which help keep the film afloat if the slapstick humor ever misses the mark.
The concept of "so bad it's good" seems to have been invented for the films of Ed Wood, a director, writer, producer and occasional star who fully embraced his B-movie budgets and utter lack of technical skill. In Plan 9, his magnum opus about aliens who try to conquer earth with zombies, a hit list of cinematic ineptitudes doesn't sink the film so much as make it pure sci-fi comedy gold...
The concept of "so bad it's good" seems to have been invented for the films of Ed Wood, a director, writer, producer and occasional star who fully embraced his B-movie budgets and utter lack of technical skill. In Plan 9, his magnum opus about aliens who try to conquer earth with zombies, a hit list of cinematic ineptitudes (like paper plates trying to pass as flying saucers, and a man with a cape over his mouth trying to substitute for the film's star, who had recently died) doesn't sink the film so much as make it pure sci-fi comedy gold. The whole thing comes off as delightfully stupid, and kids are sure to enjoy seeing Hollywood gone this bad, but the movie really succeeds because it looks like a lot of fun. Like the early home movies of budding filmmakers, Plan 9 may be a technical disaster, but there's a heart and energy to the film that makes it hard to begrudge Ed Wood his career masterpiece.
Having shown great talent on the practice fields and in pick up games in the park, Jess dreams of playing professional soccer like her idol, David Beckham. Her very traditional Indian family disapproves of the sport, and forbids her from playing...
Having shown great talent on the practice fields and in pick up games in the park, Jess dreams of playing professional soccer like her idol, David Beckham. Her very traditional Indian family disapproves of the sport, and forbids her from playing, but when Jess meets her new friend Juliet (the now-famous Keira Knightley), who plays soccer for a teen team, she decides to go against her parents' wishes and play anyway. Sharing this secret and other outlandish adventures, Jess and Juliet become fast friends, but as they drive their team to a new level of success, Jess finds it hard to keep her playing a secret, and competition may drive a wedge in their friendship.
Becoming an indie sensation when it was introduced to America, Bend It Like Beckham is a coming-of-age comedy that portrays teenage life with an honesty and wit lacking in many made-for-teen movies. Director Gurinda Chadha became critically known for her stirring documentaries and dramas dealing with the life of Indian immigrants in Britain, and even in this seemingly light comedy, the film benefits immensely from her experience capturing the ups and downs of immigrant family life.
Seven-year-old Ludovic is a boy who decides he should have been born a girl, and begins to sweetly experiment, trying on dresses and lipstick, and taking the female lead of Snow White in the school play...
Seven-year-old Ludovic is a boy who decides he should have been born a girl, and begins to sweetly experiment, trying on dresses and lipstick, and taking the female lead of Snow White in the school play. Although this brings him great joy, he earns the ire and insults of his family, classmates and neighbors, stirring up the fear of difference in his usually calm neighborhood. He finds a new friend and soul mate, though, when he discovers a classmate who thinks she should have been born a boy... (Sound familiar?)
Director Alain Berliner cuts through the tough issues of sexual politics and intolerance with the innocence and humorous outlook of children, creating a classic coming-of-age story as funny as it is touching.
(Note: This film received an R rating for a subtitle translation that include a few uses of the "F-word," even though the actual translation is debatable.)
Age Recommendation: 8+ Director: Francois Truffaut
Perhaps the most famous film ever made about childhood, French New Wave pioneer Francois Truffaut's stirring debut feels as fresh as the day it premiered...
Perhaps the most famous film ever made about childhood, French New Wave pioneer Francois Truffaut's stirring debut feels as fresh as the day it premiered. Ignored by two warring parents and criticized at his harsh reform school, Antoine begins to rebel against authority, seeking freedom from the people who regulate his life. This portrait of adolescent angst (itself a semi-autobiographical account of Truffaut's younger years) is warm with sympathy to the everyday concerns of kids, and punctuated with plenty of humor.
The DVD, produced by the inimitable Criterion Collection, features a gloriously restored transfer, two audio commentaries and a series of interviews with Truffaut looking back on the film's unexpected global success. The film was long available only in a more expensive box set, but now can be enjoyed by itself for a lower price.
What Others Say...
"Seems forever young" - Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune
"Still one of the cinema's most perceptive forays into childhood" - Derek Adams, Time Out
"Distinguished by its intensity of feeling and freewheeling use of the wide-screen frame, the film ranks among Truffaut's best" - Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
"A remarkable confluence of talents are at work here" - Nick Pinkerton, Village Voice
The funniest film in the Pink Panther series, in which Sellers created his most famous role, the thoroughly inept French detective Inspector Jacques Clouseau...
The funniest film in the Pink Panther series, in which Sellers created his most famous role, the thoroughly inept French detective Inspector Jacques Clouseau. A murder has been committed at the Parisian residence of wealthy Benjamin Ballon and despite all evidence pointing to wide-eyed maid Maria Gambrinelli (Elke Sommer) as the killer, Clouseau is determined to prove her innocence. Sellers' impeccable timing and flair for physical and verbal comedy meshes perfectly with director Blake Edwards' gifts for sight gags and intricate slapstick. Originally shelved by the studio, the film was released a mere three months after The Pink Panther due to the original's unexpected success.
The Marx Bros.' best film is this madcap farce in which Groucho plays Rufus T. Firefly, leader of the imaginary country of Freedonia, who must woo the nation's wealthy benefactor...
The Marx Bros.' best film is this madcap farce in which Groucho plays Rufus T. Firefly, leader of the imaginary country of Freedonia, who must woo the nation's wealthy benefactor Mrs. Teasdale while answering to international provocations that eventually lead to war as only the Marx Bros. could envision it!
Although they are undisputed comedy legends, many of the Marx Bros.' actual films are uneven. Duck Soup hits every comedic note just right, with a wonderful mix of intricate sight gags, rapid-fire verbal exchanges and elaborate song-and-dance parodies. It's the funniest way to introduce your family to these slapstick and vaudeville icons.
Age Recommendation: 9 to Adult Director: Darren Ashton
The 2008 Festival opened with the US Premiere of Razzle Dazzle, an Australian mockumentary that skewers the absurdities of the intense competition between kids on the youth dance troupe circuit—and the hyper-involved parents who live through them. A hilarious cross...
The 2008 Festival opened with the US Premiere of Razzle Dazzle, an Australian mockumentary that skewers the absurdities of the intense competition between kids on the youth dance troupe circuit—and the hyper-involved parents who live through them. A hilarious cross between Best in Show and All That Jazz, Razzle Dazzle mixes colorful characters, outrageous costumes, and show-stopping dance numbers (by John "Cha Cha" O'Connell who also choreographed Enchanted, Moulin Rouge and Strictly Ballroom), to deliver an immensely enjoyable film that captures our hearts with equal parts comedy and pathos.
The film centers on Mr. Jonathon, an unconventional dance instructor who teaches his young "Jazzketeers" routines that try to illustrate world issues like animal cruelty, capitalist exploitation and global warming. Even with the help of star student Tenille, these experimental, unintentionally comical performances never manage to top rival Ms. Elizabeth's classical academy, whose dancers train to perfection under their instructor's snide remarks and ritual weigh-ins. But when a freak accident forces another team to forfeit, Mr. Jonathon's team gets the chance to head to the national finals—if they can get past the psychopathic stage moms, suffocation-inducing costumes an an occasional kidnapping...
Director Danny Boyle wields a wildly inventive visual style, spinning an atmosphere of playful magical realism punctuated by moments of pure cinematic exuberance. It is the tale of two Liverpudian lads who have just moved into a new house with their dad to begin a new life without their departed mother. Damien is a dreamer, representing all that is naive and unspoiled in the world. So when a duffle bag full of cash literally falls from the sky to Damien's feet, he thinks it's a gift from God and begins searching for poor people to give the money to...
Director Danny Boyle wields a wildly inventive visual style, spinning an atmosphere of playful magical realism punctuated by moments of pure cinematic exuberance. It is the tale of two Liverpudian lads who have just moved into a new house with their dad to begin a new life without their departed mother. Damien is a dreamer, representing all that is naive and unspoiled in the world. So when a duffle bag full of cash literally falls from the sky to Damien's feet, he thinks it's a gift from God and begins searching for poor people to give the money to. Older brother Anthony is more business minded and tries to educate his brother on the practical uses of money. But there's a catch: the boys only have one week to spend the cash before Britain converts to the euro and their money is rendered worthless. Millions is a smart, funny, sensitive and immensely enjoyable film about the difficulty of performing an act of generosity in a cynical world.
What Others Say...
"A family film of limitless imagination and surprising joy" - Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
"Leaves you feeling rich -- and richly satisfied" - Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
"Visually arresting, seriously whimsical, and suffused with a dreamy yet sad awareness of where life falls short and imagination has to pick up the slack" - Ty Burr, Boston Globe
"Witty, sweet and charming but never sappy" - Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Age Recommendation: 11+ Director: Dominique Standaert
Dieudonne and his son Justin are just settling down in front of the tube to watch the World Cup match when a racist neighbor sparks a conflict and father and son find themselves on the run from the police. Dieudonne is caught and deported to the Congo, but Justin manages to slip away and is taken under the wing of an ex-revolutionary and bomb expert. Hop treats the somber issues of immigration and political terrorism with humor, alternating tragic situations with comic details. The result is an exceptionally entertaining movie, full of warmth, humor and suspense.
The "Hop" is said to be a secret technique used by pygmies to capture and control the wild African elephant, but it can be applied to any situation where one person uses ruthless cunning to exert control over another. Justin is a clever student who relies on his ingenuity, wit and charm to bring him success and popularity at school. His father Dieudonne exudes calm pride, with impeccable manners and appearance. Despite their status as illegal African immigrants, they appear to be well integrated into white Belgian society. Father and son are just settling down in front of the tube to watch the World Cup match when a racist neighbor sparks a conflict and the two find themselves on the run from the police. Dieudonne is caught and deported to the Congo, but Justin manages to slip away and is taken under the wing of an ex-revolutionary and bomb expert. Hop treats the somber issues of immigration and political terrorism with humor, alternating tragic situations with comic details. The result is an exceptionally entertaining movie, full of warmth, humor and suspense.
Age Recommendation: 8+ Director: Juan Carlos Cremata Malberti
In this charming coming-of-age film from Cuba, preteens Jorgito and Malú have formed a deep bond, so when they learn Malú's divorced mother plans to remarry and leave the country, taking Malú with her, the two friends go on a quest to prevent their separation. Leaving Havana and traveling on foot and by any available vehicle, the children try to reach Malú's father before he signs papers permitting her to emigrate.
In this charming coming-of-age film from Cuba, preteens Jorgito and Malú have formed a deep bond, so when they learn Malú's divorced mother plans to remarry and leave the country, taking Malú with her, the two friends go on a quest to prevent their separation. Leaving Havana and traveling on foot and by any available vehicle, the children try to reach Malú's father before he signs papers permitting her to emigrate.
This inspired, fabulously quirky documentary from the multi-award winning director of Cane Toads says as much about the odd behavior of humans as it does about chickens. Meet Valerie, a frozen-solid hen who receives emergency "mouth-to-beak" resuscitation (and lives to tell an animal communicator about her near-death experience); the pampered Cotton, who watches TV, bathes with her owner, and wears rooster panties around the house; and of course, the amazing Miracle Mike, who lived for two and a half years without a head...
This inspired, fabulously quirky documentary from the multi-award winning director of Cane Toads says as much about the odd behavior of humans as it does about chickens. Meet Valerie, a frozen-solid hen who receives emergency "mouth-to-beak" resuscitation (and lives to tell an animal communicator about her near-death experience); the pampered Cotton, who watches TV, bathes with her owner, and wears rooster panties around the house; and of course, the amazing Miracle Mike, who lived for two and a half years without a head...
What Others Say...
"A goofy gem!" - Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle
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