Welcome to the 15th annual coastline children’s film festival

 

Fifteen years ago we were inspired by the 8 ½ FOUNDATION (eightandahalf.org). Founded by Tilda Swinton and Mark Cousins, its mission is to make great films available to young people everywhere:
 

“And we have noticed over the many hundred cinema journeys we have taken that our most memorable may be made many decades ago, may be made without color, may be with subtitles or not a single spoken word.”
 

That idea became our mandate; our manifesto. For 10 days, we invite you to enjoy a selection of full-length features, documentaries, short films and classic silent films for FREE. 
 

On MARCH 14TH, the Krasl Art Center kicks off our event with an OPENING NIGHT COSTUME PARTY. Come as your favorite animated character and you could win a prize for most creative costume! Festivities begin at 6:00 PM with popcorn and a music performance featuring the First Grade Choir from South Elementary School (Watervliet) led by BRANDON MATTSON. LITTLE KID FLICKS, a selection of animated and live action shorts from the New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF), begins at 7:00 PM.
 

The YOUNG FILMMAKERS COMPETITION will premiere at New Buffalo Township Library on MARCH 15TH. This year’s competition features 23 short films by young visionaries from all over the United States. Awards will be presented Red Carpet-style on MARCH 21ST at The GhostLight Theatre.
 

Other events include a NIGHT HIKE & OWL PROWL at Sarett Nature Center (Benton Harbor), a COSTUME DESIGN WORKSHOP on the creation and effects of good costume designs led by costumer, CANDACE MYERS (Sawyer), and a screening of THE MOST DANGEROUS YEAR followed by a discussion led by MARY JO SCHNELL and others from the OutCenter Southwest Michigan (Sawyer). Additionally, we are excited to announce a special screening of CELEBRATING BLACK STORIES (Benton Harbor). To close out our amazing festival, southwest Michigan’s own DR. LARRY SCHANKER provides improvisational piano accompaniment for a silent film at The Acorn (Three Oaks) on SUNDAY, MARCH 23RD.