Welcome to the 13th Annual Coastline Children’s Film Festival
Thirteen years ago we were inspired by the 8½ FOUNDATION. 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 all for FREE.
The festival kicks off FRIDAY, MARCH 3 with an OPENING NIGHT COSTUME PARTY at the KraslArt Center. Come as your favorite animated character and you could win a prize for the most creative costume. Festivities begin at 6pm with popcorn, cupcakes from Bit of Swiss and a music program featuring the First Grade Choir from Watervliet South Elementary led by BRANDON MATTSON. KID FLICKS ONE, a selection of shorts from the New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF), begins at 7PM.
The YOUNG FILMMAKERS COMPETITION (YFC) premieres at the New Buffalo Township Library on SATURDAY, MARCH 4 at 1PM. This year's competition features nearly two dozen short films by young visionaries from more than 10 states. An additional screening on March 8 at the Coastline Children’s Film Festival (CCFF) storefront at 6pm is the last opportunity to vote for the Audience Favorite. Awards will
be presented, red carpet style, on FRIDAY, MARCH 10 following the 6PM screening at The Oak Room at The Citadel.
Other events include a NIGHT HIKE & OWL PROWL at Sarett Nature Center, GATHER & KID FLICKS – with music by BRANDON J. WOODCOX at the Friends of New Troy Community Center, and an OPEN HOUSE at the CCFF storefront. We’re thrilled to share the award-winning documentaries Free Puppies, Scrap and Sunken Roads. In addition, we’re excited to announce an encore screening of the civil rights documentary – MIGHTY TIMES: THE CHILDREN’S MARCH. Last, but not least, DR. LARRY SCHANKER will provide improvisational piano accompaniment for two silent films — The Blue Bird (1918) and I Was Born, But…(1932) which close the festival when we return to The Acorn Theater on SUNDAY, MARCH 12.