Explore the world without leaving New York! The New York International Children’s Film Festival returns in March 2023 at locations across New York for its first fully in-person festival since 2020. This year’s lineup includes an all-new slate of the best films from around the world for kids and families, with film screenings taking place at Scandinavia House on March 4 and 11. Screenings on March 4 include the new animated series Moominvalley (1 PM) and the International Premiere of the live action feature Totem (2:30 PM). See Weekend 2 screenings here.

SCHEDULE:
1 PM: Moominvalley
(dir. Sara Barbas & Jay Grace, Finland/UK, 2022)

Tove Jansson’s delightful universe is back, premiering exclusively at NYICFF with all the Moominventures you could ever wish for in three all new episodes! First, when Moomintroll and Sniff volunteer to walk Toffle home through the woods, Toffle tells tall tales to prolong their journey, which gets them into trouble when Groke arrives in Toffle’s Tall Tales. Mrs. Fillyjonk gets the feeling she’s “not long for this world,” so Moominpappa decides to throw her a party will never forget in Mrs. Fillyjonk’s Last Hurrah. Finally, a mystery in Snufkin and the Fairground: When Snufkin advises silence-loving Hemulen to leave his noisy job at the fairground, he’s left to run the rides on his own. (63 min. In English). Recommended ages: 6+.

2:30 PM: Totem
(dir. Sander Burger; Germany/Luxembourg/Netherlands, 2022)
*International Premiere*

Eleven-year-old Ama loves the water, and not only because she’s surrounded by the Rotterdam waterfront. She’s also a passionate swimmer, spending every spare minute in the pool training for the upcoming championships with her best friend, Thijs. Though she’s the daughter of Senegalese asylum-seekers, Ama feels Dutch, through and through. So it’s all the more unthinkable when her family members are unexpectedly detained, leaving Ama to find a solution. Harnessing the focus she learned in swim training and armed with the wisdom of her mother’s tales of their homeland, she must forge a path of her own. Fortunately, a gigantic spirit animal rooted in Senegalese tradition might just be of service. (95 min. In Dutch & French with English subtitles). Recommended ages: 8+.

New York International Children’s Film Fesetival continues at Scandinavia House on March 11 and at locations around New York from March 3-5 & 11-12. For complete lineup and tickets visit nyicff.org/tickets.

New York International Children’s Film Festival is dedicated to inspiring, entertaining and educating through innovative film programs that cultivate an appreciation for the arts, stimulate critical thought and promote media literacy.

Each year, the Festival invites New York families to travel the globe, discover new ideas and gain a deeper understanding of the world they live in — all from the comfort of their theater seats.