2019 Festival Program – Imagination Without Borders

DOORS OPEN AT 10 AM

Saturday Morning — February 16, 2019

SHORT FILMS FOR ALL AGES – Program 1 : 10:15 am THEATER ONE – THE MEGADOME

Tailored  by Léa Cousty, Chloé Astier, Raphaël Guez, Mélanie Fourgeaud, Hugo Bourriez, Victoire Le Dourner, 7’12”, France, 2018 It is his first day of work as a simple dressmaker in a famous Haute Couture workroom. Instead

Annie and Carola; My Best Friend  by Myriam Ballesteros, 4′, Spain, 2018 Carola, a gifted but awkward teen, decides to build a robot friend.

A Dreamers Melody by Kendra Ann Sherrill, 4’20”, USA, 2018 A trip to the movie theater sparks a passion for a young girl and her shoes.

Rainbow Giant by Guo Jun-ming , 6’00”, Taiwan, 2018Once upon a time, everything that grew from the soil was grey.

 Pops and Branwell by Aleks Sennwald, Pete Toms 8’14”, USA, 2018 Pops and Branwell, two kid detectives, suspect a traitor in their squad as they chase a soup robbing thief.

Cookie?  by Peter Trandžík, 9’38”, Slovakia, 2018A Boy wishes for a new bike for Christmas but instead of getting a bike, his other unexpected wish does come true.

Ariane’s Sky by Victor Jeanneret, Titouan Rumeur, Roy Tarriaffe, Florian Mignet, Dorian Bougard, Amir Abou-Rizk, Quintin Delobel, Andreia Santos Silva, Isart Digital, 3’32”,  Canada, 2017  Ariane is convinced of an imminent asteroid impact with planet Earth. she decides to try and save the world herself.

Balance by Raymond Limantara Sutisna, 3’36”,  Singapore, 2018 a boy and a girl fighting for painting space, both refusing to give in until the mess they create goes out of control.*

 The Importance of Beeing  by Ksenia Firsova, 2’19”,  USA, 2018 A short mixed media documentary which aims to spotlight the importance of bees.

* Following the program filmmaker Raymond Limantara will talk about making Balance. Also – Join us in our Imagination Lab for an exhibition about bee keeping and what you can do to promote bees in your neighborhood. This will be an ongoing exhibit through out the day.

Program runs approximately 50 minutes  

SHORT FILMS FOR ALL AGES – Program 2 : 10:15 am THEATER TWO – THE PLANETARIUM

PigTails by Caitlyn Chase, 2’58, USA, 2018 A pig in a pet store only wants to be adopted, but doesn’t realize he only needs to be himself to do it.

Pioneers by Clémentine Courbin, 5’21”, France 2017 During the USSR space race, Macha and Vassily work secretly on a special project…

Good Night by Makiko Nanke, 6’22”, Japan, 2018  For these twin boys, a little sibling rivalry is an everyday occurrence.

Du Iz Tk? by Galen Fott, 11′, USA, 2018  As a tiny sprout unfurls, two damselflies peer at it in wonder. ‘Du iz tak?’ one asks the other, in the private and mysterious language of the insects.

 Baby Shark  by Brett Jubinville, 3’10”, Canada, 2018 Go under the sea with the Super Simple version of the classic kids’ song, Baby Shark!

Wings by Christoffer Andersen, 3’49, Denmark, 2017  When a young boy’s toy airplane is stuck in a tree, he is forced to face his deepest fear: the fear of heights. 

Rose on the Moon by Panna Horvath-Molnar, 2’25, Hungary 2017 Hidden by the depth of night small creatures roam the forest.

Boy Racer by Barry Fahy, 4’25, Ireland, 2018  Evan Murphy sneaks away into his grandfathers shed and discovers a world of trinkets to play with including his grandfathers rally car.

 Splitting Time  by Gleb Sanchez-Lobashov , 11’31”, USA, 2017 Coen has to choose whether he will celebrate his 11th birthday with his mom in the 27th century or his Dad in the 1990s.

Program runs approximately 50 minutes 

THE LITTLE THEATER : starting at 11 am then continuous  – Across from the  Cafe

Join us in the LITTLE THEATER  across from the Cafe for films for our littlest film fans. Films will play on a continuous basis so pop by and enjoy some wonderful shorts for all ages from past years.

IMAGINATION BEYOND BORDERS : Short Films by Kids  : 11:15 THEATER ONE  (all ages)

Every year we receive films made by children. These films are judged and held up to the student and professional films we receive. Some films that come in show an astounding promise of a future filmmaker and although sometimes rough around the edges, there is a certain spark evident – a promise of something beyond the usual expectation of a child filmmaker or group of children attending a filmmaking camp or class. Join us to watch four films that arrived this year that show young children filmmakers stretching the borders of their imaginations.

The Dog’s Story by Arkhip Varfolomeev, 8’14, Russian Federation, 2018 Only, Doggie Bob, is convinced that the greed and rudeness of the cats will be defeated by common sense and intellect!

Danielle’s Boat by Samuel Parker written by Dana Koops, 12’43, USA, 2017 Danielle learns that to have a friend, one must be a friend.

Donut Thieves from Vargon V  by Angus Grant, 10′, Australia, 2017 Robots are invading the Earth to steal the irresistible donuts! What will the Earthlings do….? 

Dragons of Maritten by Yun-Chia, Chang, 9′, Taiwan, 2018 Cambo is in a dilemma: how to cure his brother without harming the dragons?

IMAGINATION BEYOND BORDERS : 3 Stories From Brazil  : 11:15  am  THEATER TWO – THE PLANETARIUM   (ages 7 +)

We have received many films over the years from Brazil and this year was no exception. Sit back and enjoy these 3  unique, wonderful films from this beautiful land to the south and join in a Q&A with the filmmakers of All Heart at the end of the program.

The Embroiderers by Julia Vellutin, 3’00, Brazil 2017 While waiting for a bus in the backwoods, three embroiderers play with their magical powers.

 The Juggler by Iuri Moreno, 10’55, Brazil, 2017 An animated documentary about street jugglers who bring color to the monotonous day of the big cities.~ Subtitled

All Heart by Flávio Moraes, 25’00, Brazil 2018 Lara is a nine-year-old girl who suffers from a heart syndrome and needs to make a difficult decision. Her younger sister, Marina, has the key role of articulating Lara’s relationship with a young doctor, uniting science and poetry to transform both their lives.~ Subtitled

Program runs approximately 45 minutes with Q&A

CHUSKIT by Priya Ramasubban, 89’19, India 2018 Sprightly Chuskit’s dream of going to school is cut short when she is rendered a paraplegic after an accident. She’s confined to life indoors in the company of her strict grandfather, Dorje. Chuskit continues to harbor hopes of school but Dorje tries to make her understand that school can’t handle her needs. Seeing that she could loose her family, Chuskit decides to give up and accept her fate. ~ Subtitled

 

Saturday Afternoon Shorts — February 16, 2019

SHORT FILMS FOR AGES SEVEN AND UP – Program 1 : 1:30 pm THEATER ONE

Hitia O Te Ra by Taylor Vracin-Harrell, 5’13″, USA, 2018 A daughter deals with changing tides as she takes over the Polynesian dance studio her father founded. 

The Juggler by Iuri Moreno, 10’55, Brazil, 2017 An animated documentary about street jugglers who bring color to the monotonous day of the big cities.

Drops by Karsten KJÆRULF-HOOP,Sarah Joy JUNGEN , 4’49”, Denmark, 2017 A small community of rain drops in the cycle of water. 

Burn Out by Cécilia Carre, 4’23”, France, 2017 Stella, a space mechanician, has broken down on a desert planet, where she is reminded of the dreams she has left behind.

A Most Precise and Nuanced Look into the Man Legend and Visionary – Martin Luther by Magnus Igland Moller, 4’29 , Denmark, 2017  A silly but accurate examination of the church reformation 500 years ago.

Il s’est passé quelque chose by Anne Larricq, 8’11 , France, 2018  Today is the last day of the holidays.A siren sounds in the distance, the beach is emptying… Everyone is gone… almost…

Billie by Maki Yoshikura, 4’00 , United Kingdom, 2018  The Labradoodle Billie is sad and lonely until one day her life takes a new turn…

The Statue by Becca Wolff, 16’17” , USA, 2018  Hassan stands as a frozen statue most of the time and only has one line. Sounds easy enough but he just can’t get the line right.

Program runs approximately 57 minutes + Q&A after with the filmmakers of The Statue 

SHORT FILMS FOR AGES SEVEN AND UP  – Program 2 : 1:30 pm THEATER  TWO – THE PLANETARIUM

Gelato – Seven Summers of Ice Cream Love by Daniela Opp, 12’18, Germany, 2017 The 20th Century was still young when Italian mountaineers conquered Germany with a sensation: Gelato!

Paper Beast by Daniel Klein, 5’20, USA, 2018 Thea is 12 years old. She likes to play football and to be with her friends. But why does she want to grow up to be an air ambulance pilot?

No Gravity by Charline Parisot, 7’56”, France, 2018  An astronaut comes back to earth and tries to fit in again.

Spindrift by Selina Wagner, 11’43, United Kingdom, 2017 On a desolate island off the coast of Orkney, a young girl finds solace in the only other living thing on the island, a majestic sea eagle.

Girls Soccer Beyond Borders by Zlila Helman, 3’41, Israel, 2018 Sport has the power to unite youth from different cultures and background.

Memo by Jules Durand, 4’40, France, 2017 Louis, a retired man, resists the overprotection of his daughter Nina to keep his independence.

Late Afternoon * Academy Award Nominee * by Louise Bagnall, 9’23, Ireland, 2017 Emily must look to her past so that she may fully connect with the present.

Reboot by Ellen Osborne, 4′, USA, 2018 As the last people board the ship to Mars, the earth breathes a sigh of relief and the boundless resilience of nature springs into action!

Program runs approximately 55 minutes + Q&A with the filmmakers of Reboot

IMAGINATION WITHOUT BORDERS  :   SHORT FILMS from IRAN 2:30 pm THEATER ONE – THE MEGADOME  (6 +)

Dreams by Golnaz Moghaddam, 5’00″, Iran, 2014 Revival of Grandpa’s frozen memories and living an ordinary day through one of them from dawn to dusk…

Varahram by Mahdi Kamrani, 6’30, Iran, 2018 a little girl who wants to play with other kids in their alley and play with ball but her mother prevents her even she locks the door to keep the girl inside the home.

The Fan by Fatemeh Sohani , 6’53”, Iran, 2014 The Story about an old fan that’s scared of being recycled…

Game Over by Seyed Mohsen Pourmohseni Shakib, 3’45”, Iran, 2013 In a war videogame, where even the sun is evil, four missiles fired from a military airplane decide to destroy the world. But fortunately the children who live inside that game find a way to stop them.

Me, My Wife and Our Cow  by Azadeh Moezzi, 7’00 , Iran, 2011  … a patient old woman, an old man in love , and their cow…this is the story of nonstop efforts of a lover for healing his beloved…

Fishnet and the Fish by Ali nikfar Saeed mayahy, 8’37 , Iran, 2018  Its about all little fishes in the world

Digital Native by Mahboobeh Mohammadzaki, 5’28 , Iran, 2014  An allegory of our obsession and dependance on our digital lives.  

White Paper by Seyed Mohsen Pourmohseni Shakib, 3’18” , Iran, 2011  Grouping together the 6 young outcasts change their world from a gray persecuted world to a colorful and tolerant one that accepts people of all colors.

Program runs approximately 50 minutes 

IMAGINATION WITHOUT BORDERS  :   Viva Kids!  Short Films from Mexico in partnership with NYICFF  2:30 pm THEATER TWO  – THE PLANETARIUM  (6 +)

Creativity Does Not Recognize Walls by Fernando Campos, 2′, Mexico, 2017  Art knows no boundaries!

The Piñata King by Charlie Kwai, Chris Lee & Paul Storrie, 3′, United Kingdom, 2017 Over 50 years a family has made piñatas for the local community.

Mateo and the Cinema by Luis Felipe Hernández Alanis, 4’00″, Mexico, 2015 A young boy gets help from his family, who are commited to seeing his artistic talents unfold.

A Hole by Maribel Suarez, 5′ , Mexico, 2016  A little girl longs for a playmate in the garden.

Rain in the Eyes by Rita Basulto, 9′ ,Mexico, 2013  Seven year old Sofia recalls the day she fractured her arm while being chased through the forest.

Tintico’s Afternoons by Alejandro García Caballero, 11′ , Mexico, 2012  A group of mosquitos, crazy for tropical music try to bring happiness into a rumba director’s life.

BZZZ by Anna Cetti, 4′, Mexico, 2017A little girl recognizes that buzz and hum are essential to all life in this cross-pollinating tale.

Far from Home by Mayra Veliz, 13′ ,Mexico, 2016  A Japanese teenager visiting Mexico ends up lost at a restaurant in the middle of nowhere, when a local boy helps her to find her way.

Piñata Love by Joel Ramirez , 6′, USA, 2017 Mexican country craft meets-cute with NYC urban grit in this tale of near-perfect mache.

Elena and the Shadows by César Cepeda, 7′ , Mexico, 2016  Elena’s old neighborhood is lonely until Félix enters her orbit and shows her how to access other universes.

Program runs approximately 60 minutes 

Screening of TODAY’S Workshop Shorts! (all ages) : 3:45 pm THEATER ONE

Our workshop shorts screening is a highlight of the festival and one of the events that makes BAICFF unique. During the day, all the tiny films being shot by our young filmmakers in the Pixilation and Clay Animation workshops are edited together with sound and music by Berkeley City College Film students to create an assembly of the day’s films for our filmmakers (and their parents) to see on the big screen. Come see the films and applaud our young filmmakers as they take their bow! Sign up for a workshop today! 

Program runs approximately 15 minutes

SATURDAY EVENING  –

IMAGINATION BEYOND BORDERS : Beyond the Border of Space  :  4:15  pm THEATER TWO – THE PLANETARIUM   (ages 6 +)

What better place to watch shorts revolving around the subject of space then at Chabot Space and Science Center!  Check out an amazing program of fantasy and space travel from around the world! Featuring two kick-butt grannies, a lost out of work astronaut, a mechanician, a taxi service to the stars, and the return of a hungry chubby astronaut!

Pioneers by Clémentine Courbin, 5’21”, France 2017 During the USSR space race, Macha and Vassily work secretly on a special project…

Burn Out by Cécilia Carre, 4’23, France, 2017 Stella, a space mechanician, has broken down and landed on a desert planet. While she is in despair, a little girl appears out of nowhere.

Ariane’s Sky by Victor Jeanneret, Titouan Rumeur, Roy Tarriaffe, Florian Mignet, Dorian Bougard, Amir Abou-Rizk, Quintin Delobel, Andreia Santos Silva, Isart Digital, 3’32”,  Canada, 2017 Ariane is convinced of an imminent asteroid impact with Earth. Can she save the planet alone?

No Gravity  by Charline Parisot, Jérémy Cissé, Fioretta Caterina Cosmidis, Flore Allier-Estrada, Maud Lemaître-Blanchart and Ludovic Abraham, 7’56, France, 2018An astronaut comes back to earth and tries to fit in again.

Star Taxi  by Juraj Krumpolec, 14’36”, Slovakia, 2015Adventures of a little boy Hugo and a taxi driver Peppino on their journey through a dangerous universe.

Astronaut K by Daniel Harisberger, 5’40, Switzerland, 2014 Fighting against his misfortune and even his own clumsiness, a chubby astronaut follows his rumbling tummy to find food, shelter, and a place in this world. Encore presentation from BAICFF 2014 

Program runs approximately 42 minutes 

YOUTH / TEEN PROGRAM

Warning : BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES of “Cartoons”  –  modern short films pushing animation into new realms of storytelling with a panel discussion with local animation storytellers – moderated by Jim Capobianco. 4:15 pm THEATER ONE – THE MEGADOME   (ages 12 + )

We are living in one of the most exciting times in animation. New voices are telling stories once thought beyond the traditional “Cartoon”. More diverse filmmakers are telling their stories. Fearless young filmmakers, having grown up with access to all kinds of animation and motion graphics, are now beginning to tell their stories in unique ways with tools more accessible than at anytime in cinema. Audiences are more open to different forms of animation. Join us as we watch some wonderful films made by a new generation of animators touching on subjects not usually approached in animation. Followed by a panel discussion about the future of animation storytelling with Pixar storytellers moderated by our own Jim Capobianco, himself a director and writer working in animation – most recently on Mary Poppins Returns.

Aesthesis by Hugo de Magalhaes, Evéra Chapel, Gabriel Richaud, Aubin Kubiak, Louison Franque and Mélissa Evrard-Nadaud, 3’57”, France 2018 One man, one girl, the same environment, two visions.

Burn Out by Cécilia Carre, 4’23, France, 2017 Stella, a space mechanician, has broken down and ended on a desert planet. While she is in despair, a little girl appears out of nowhere.

City of Memories by Signe Tveitan, 5’46”,  Denmark, 2017 An orphan girl is stuck in a crumbling city, living among memories. Her life is changed when she finally connects with someone in the present.

No Gravity  by Charline Parisot, Jérémy Cissé, Fioretta Caterina Cosmidis, Flore Allier-Estrada, Maud Lemaître-Blanchart and Ludovic Abraham, 7’56, France, 2018An astronaut comes back to earth and tries to fit in again.

Stuffed  by Élise Simoulin, Édouard Heutte, Clotilde Bonnotte, Anna Komaromi, Marisa Di Vora Peixoto and Helena Bastioni,  6’34, France, 2018An emotionally unstable cat makes a strange encounter that helps him to grow up and learn to overcome his anger.

The Stained Club  by Mélanie Lopez, Simon Boucly, Marie Ciesielski, Alice Jaunet, Chan Stéphie Peang and Béatrice Viguier, 6’39, France, 2018Finn has stains on his skin. One day, he meets a group of cool kids with different stains on their bodies. One day, he understands that these stains aren’t just pretty.

Weekends * Academy Award Nominee * by Trevor Jimenez, 15’17, USA, 2017 a young boy shuffling between the homes of his recently divorced parents. Surreal dream like moments mix with the domestic realities of a broken up family in this hand animated film set in 1980’s Toronto.

Bao * Academy Award Nominee *by Domee Shi, 8’00, USA, 2017 A lonely Chinese-Canadian mother, suffering from empty nest syndrome, receives an unexpected second chance at motherhood when she makes a dumpling that comes to life as a boy.

Program runs approximately 70 minutes of shorts + 3o min. panel discussion and Q&A with Pixar / Disney  filmmakers Trevor Jimenez, Chris Sasaki, Domee Shi and Hanna Abi-Hanna moderated  by BAICFF co-director / programmer and filmmaker Jim Capobianco. 

FEATURE FILM PROGRAM  :  6pm THEATER ONE

THE DAY OF CHOCOLATE  by Jacek Piotr Bławut , 93′, Poland, 2017 We are excited to present to you a truly beautiful film that you can not see anywhere else! A beguiling fantasy, mystery tale about time, friendship, love loss and chocolate.

Through the window, Dawid watches a new neighbor move into the house next door. The girl, more or less his age, wears a strange skirt, a Hawaiian hula skirt and the girl’s name is Monika.  Monika’s grandma has gone away to Hawaii and Dawid’s sister is a cat now. So sets in motion a relationship of two children struggling with loss, change and life.  For sure, the boy and the girl will be brought closer together by their strength in order to save their precious memories. But will the mad Time Hopper help them cross through the old clock to the place where time’s rules are completely different. To pay him, is chocolate enough?.  Common Sense Media’s review 

Preceding the Feature presentation we always like to show a short film complimentary to the features subject or tone : 

Drops by Karsten KJÆRULF-HOOP, Sarah Joy JUNGEN , 4’49”, Denmark, 2017 A small community of rain drops in the cycle of water. 

FREE ~  Telescope Viewing following the screening – weather permitting

Sunday Morning — February 17, 2019

SHORT FILMS FOR ALL AGES – Program 2 : 10:15 am THEATER ONE – THE MEGADOME

PigTails by Caitlyn Chase, 2’58, USA, 2018 A pig in a pet store only wants to be adopted, but doesn’t realize he only needs to be himself to do it.

Pioneers by Clémentine Courbin, 5’21”, France 2017 During the USSR space race, Macha and Vassily work secretly on a special project…

Good Night by Makiko Nanke, 6’22”, Japan, 2018  For these twin boys, a little sibling rivalry is an everyday occurrence.

Du Iz Tk? by Galen Fott, 11′, USA, 2018  As a tiny sprout unfurls, two damselflies peer at it in wonder. ‘Du iz tak?’ one asks the other, in the private and mysterious language of the insects.

 Baby Shark  by Brett Jubinville, 3’10”, Canada, 2018 Go under the sea with the Super Simple version of the classic kids’ song, Baby Shark!

Wings by Christoffer Andersen, 3’49, Denmark, 2017  When a young boy’s toy airplane is stuck in a tree, he is forced to face his deepest fear: the fear of heights. 

Rose on the Moon by Panna Horvath-Molnar, 2’25, Hungary 2017 Hidden by the depth of night small creatures roam the forest.

Boy Racer by Barry Fahy, 4’25, Ireland, 2018  Evan Murphy sneaks away into his grandfathers shed and discovers a world of trinkets to play with including his grandfathers rally car.

Splitting Time  by Gleb Sanchez-Lobashov , 11’31”, USA, 2017 Coen has to choose whether he will celebrate his 11th birthday with his mom in the 27th century or his Dad in the 1990s.

SHORT FILMS FOR ALL AGES – Program 1 : 10:15 am THEATER TWO – THE PLANETARIUM

Tailored  by Léa Cousty, Chloé Astier, Raphaël Guez, Mélanie Fourgeaud, Hugo Bourriez, Victoire Le Dourner, 7’12”, France, 2018 It is his first day of work as a simple dressmaker in a famous Haute Couture workroom. Instead

Annie and Carola; My Best Friend  by Myriam Ballesteros, 4′, Spain, 2018 Carola, a gifted but awkward teen, decides to build a robot friend.

A Dreamers Melody by Kendra Ann Sherrill, 4’20”, USA, 2018 A trip to the movie theater sparks a passion for a young girl and her shoes.

Rainbow Giant by Guo Jun-ming , 6’00”, Taiwan, 2018Once upon a time, everything that grew from the soil was grey.

 Pops and Branwell by Aleks Sennwald, Pete Toms 8’14”, USA, 2018 Pops and Branwell, two kid detectives, suspect a traitor in their squad as they chase a soup robbing thief.

Cookie?  by Peter Trandžík, 9’38”, Slovakia, 2018A Boy wishes for a new bike for Christmas but instead of getting a bike, his other unexpected wish does come true.

Ariane’s Sky by Victor Jeanneret, Titouan Rumeur, Roy Tarriaffe, Florian Mignet, Dorian Bougard, Amir Abou-Rizk, Quintin Delobel, Andreia Santos Silva, Isart Digital, 3’32”,  Canada, 2017  Ariane is convinced of an imminent asteroid impact with planet Earth. she decides to try and save the world herself.

Balance by Raymond Limantara Sutisna, 3’36”,  Singapore, 2018 a boy and a girl fighting for painting space, both refusing to give in until the mess they create goes out of control.

 The Importance of Beeing  by Ksenia Firsova, 2’19”,  USA, 2018 A short mixed media documentary which aims to spotlight the importance of bees.

Program runs approximately 50 minutes  

THE LITTLE THEATER : starting at 11 am then continuous  – Across from the  Cafe

Join us in the LITTLE THEATER  across from the Cafe for films for our littlest film fans. Films will play on a continuous basis so pop by and enjoy some wonderful shorts from some of our favorite filmmakers.

Special Programing – FEATURE MATINEE

IMAGINATION WITHOUT BORDERS : PIXAR’s COCO !  11:30am THEATER ONE  – THE MEGADOME (all ages)

As part of our theme this year of Imagination Without Borders we are proud to present the gorgeous and heartwarming Academy Award winning, locally made PIXAR film COCO. A story that honors and celebrates the culture of Mexico – its traditions, music and devotion to family.

Coco by Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina, 105′, USA, 2017 12-year-old Miguel is accidentally transported to the Land of the Dead, where he seeks the help of his deceased musician great-great-grandfather to return him to his family among the living.

Bao * Academy Award Nominee * by Domee Shi, 8’00, USA, 2017 A lonely Chinese-Canadian mother, suffering from empty nest syndrome, receives an unexpected second chance at motherhood when she makes a dumpling that comes to life as a boy.

Join us following the matinee screening of Coco to learn how the film came to be. How the cultural influences and extensive research that went into the production was translated into this beautiful and lively film. A rare chance to learn from our local wonderful filmmakers at Pixar Studios located next door in Emeryville !

CHUSKIT by Priya Ramasubban, 89’19, India 2018 Sprightly Chuskit’s dream of going to school is cut short when she is rendered a paraplegic after an accident. She’s confined to life indoors in the company of her strict grandfather, Dorje. Chuskit continues to harbor hopes of school but Dorje tries to make her understand that school can’t handle her needs. Seeing that she could loose her family, Chuskit decides to give up and accept her fate. ~ Subtitled 

Sunday Afternoon — February 17, 2019

IMAGINATION BEYOND BORDERS : Two Kids Going Beyond : 1:30 pm THEATER TWO – THE PLANETARIUM  (all ages)

Join us in watching these two lovely films, one based on an actual event and the second a documentary of  children who want to lead normal lives but circumstances as they are, are forced to go beyond the border of childhood.

 All Heart by Flávio Moraes, 25’00, Brazil 2018 Lara is a nine-year-old girl who suffers from a heart syndrome and needs to make a difficult decision. Her younger sister, Marina, has the key role of articulating Lara’s relationship with a young doctor, uniting science and poetry to transform both their lives.~ Subtitled

 Two Worlds by Maciej Adamek, 50’00, Poland 2016 In this inspiring family portrait, 12-year-old Laura is our guide through life with her deaf parents, which is unusual, challenging and surprisingly ordinary.~ Subtitled

IMAGINATION WITHOUT BORDERS  :   Viva Kids!  Short Films from Mexico in partnership with NYICFF  2:30 pm THEATER ONE  – THE MEGADOME (6+)

Viva Kids! a new Spanish-language program of animated, documentary, and live action films full of warmth, wit, and the cultural richness of our friends and neighbors to the south: Mexico. All films are in Spanish with English subtitles or no dialogue, perfect for Spanish learners, speakers, and all seekers of fun, artistic, and enriching cultural experiences, ages 6+. Films in Spanish with English subtitles or no dialogue.

Creativity Does Not Recognize Walls by Fernando Campos, 2′, Mexico, 2017  Art knows no boundaries!

The Piñata King by Charlie Kwai, Chris Lee & Paul Storrie, 3′, United Kingdom, 2017 Over 50 years a family has made piñatas for the local community.

Mateo and the Cinema by Luis Felipe Hernández Alanis, 4’00″, Mexico, 2015 A young boy gets help from his family, who are commited to seeing his artistic talents unfold.

A Hole by Maribel Suarez, 5′ , Mexico, 2016  A little girl longs for a playmate in the garden.

Rain in the Eyes by Rita Basulto, 9′ ,Mexico, 2013  Seven year old Sofia recalls the day she fractured her arm while being chased through the forest.

Tintico’s Afternoons by Alejandro García Caballero, 11′ , Mexico, 2012  A group of mosquitos, crazy for tropical music try to bring happiness into a rumba director’s life.

BZZZ by Anna Cetti, 4′, Mexico, 2017A little girl recognizes that buzz and hum are essential to all life in this cross-pollinating tale.

Far from Home by Mayra Veliz, 13′ ,Mexico, 2016  A Japanese teenager visiting Mexico ends up lost at a restaurant in the middle of nowhere, when a local boy helps her to find her way.

Piñata Love by Joel Ramirez , 6′, USA, 2017 Mexican country craft meets-cute with NYC urban grit in this tale of near-perfect mache.

Elena and the Shadows by César Cepeda, 7′ , Mexico, 2016  Elena’s old neighborhood is lonely until Félix enters her orbit and shows her how to access other universes.

Program runs approximately 60 minutes 

IMAGINATION WITHOUT BORDERS  :   SHORT FILMS from IRAN 2:30 pm THEATER TWO – PLANETARIUM  (6 +)

Short Films from IRAN  a  program of animated  and live action films full of warmth, wit, and the cultural richness of the far away land of: Iran.  All films are subtitled or without dialogue. A window into a misunderstood culture. Full of fun, artistic, and enriching cultural experiences, ages 6+. Films in with English subtitles or no dialogue.

Dreams by Golnaz Moghaddam, 5’00″, Iran, 2014 Revival of Grandpa’s frozen memories and living an ordinary day through one of them from dawn to dusk…

Varahram by Mahdi Kamrani, 6’30, Iran, 2018 a little girl who wants to play with other kids in their alley and play with ball but her mother prevents her even she locks the door to keep the girl inside the home.

The Fan by Fatemeh Sohani , 6’53”, Iran, 2014 The Story about an old fan that’s scared of being recycled…

Game Over by Seyed Mohsen Pourmohseni Shakib, 3’45”, Iran, 2013 In a war videogame, where even the sun is evil, four missiles fired from a military airplane decide to destroy the world. But fortunately the children who live inside that game find a way to stop them.

Me, My Wife and Our Cow  by Azadeh Moezzi, 7’00 , Iran, 2011  … a patient old woman, an old man in love , and their cow…this is the story of nonstop efforts of a lover for healing his beloved…

Fishnet and the Fish by Ali nikfar Saeed mayahy, 8’37 , Iran, 2018  Its about all little fishes in the world

Digital Native by Mahboobeh Mohammadzaki, 5’28 , Iran, 2014  An allegory of our obsession and dependance on our digital lives.  

White Paper by Seyed Mohsen Pourmohseni Shakib, 3’18” , Iran, 2011  Grouping together the 6 young outcasts change their world from a gray persecuted world to a colorful and tolerant one that accepts people of all colors.

Program runs approximately 50 minutes 

SHORT FILMS FOR AGES SEVEN AND UP –  Program 2 : 3:40 pm  THEATER ONE – The Megadome

Gelato – Seven Summers of Ice Cream Love by Daniela Opp, 12’18, Germany, 2017 The 20th Century was still young when Italian mountaineers conquered Germany with a sensation: Gelato!

Paper Beast by Daniel Klein, 5’20, USA, 2018 Thea is 12 years old. She likes to play football and to be with her friends. But why does she want to grow up to be an air ambulance pilot?

No Gravity by Charline Parisot, 7’56”, France, 2018  An astronaut comes back to earth and tries to fit in again.

Spindrift by Selina Wagner, 11’43, United Kingdom, 2017 On a desolate island off the coast of Orkney, a young girl finds solace in the only other living thing on the island, a majestic sea eagle.

Girls Soccer Beyond Borders by Zlila Helman, 3’41, Israel, 2018 Sport has the power to unite youth from different cultures and background.

Memo by Jules Durand, 4’40, France, 2017 Louis, a retired man, resists the overprotection of his daughter Nina to keep his independence.

Late Afternoon * Academy Award Nominee * by Louise Bagnall, 9’23, Ireland, 2017 Emily must look to her past so that she may fully connect with the present.

Reboot by Ellen Osborne, 4′, USA, 2018 As the last people board the ship to Mars, the earth breathes a sigh of relief and the boundless resilience of nature springs into action!

SHORT FILMS FOR AGES SEVEN AND UP – Program 1 : 3:40 pm THEATER TWO – The Planetarium

Hitia O Te Ra by Taylor Vracin-Harrell, 5’13″, USA, 2018 A daughter deals with changing tides as she takes over the Polynesian dance studio her father founded. 

The Juggler by Iuri Moreno, 10’55, Brazil, 2017 An animated documentary about street jugglers who bring color to the monotonous day of the big cities.

Drops by Karsten KJÆRULF-HOOP,Sarah Joy JUNGEN , 4’49”, Denmark, 2017 A small community of rain drops in the cycle of water. 

Burn Out by Cécilia Carre, 4’23”, France, 2017 Stella, a space mechanician, has broken down on a desert planet, where she is reminded of the dreams she has left behind.

A Most Precise and Nuanced Look into the Man Legend and Visionary – Martin Luther by Magnus Igland Moller, 4’29 , Denmark, 2017  A silly but accurate examination of the church reformation 500 years ago.

Il s’est passé quelque chose by Anne Larricq, 8’11 , France, 2018  Today is the last day of the holidays. A siren sounds in the distance, the beach is emptying… Everyone is gone… almost…

Billie by Maki Yoshikura, 4’00 , United Kingdom, 2018  The Labradoodle Billie is sad and lonely until one day her life takes a new turn…

The Statue by Becca Wolff, 16’17” , USA, 2018  Hassan stands as a frozen statue most of the time and only has one line. Sounds easy enough but he just can’t get the line right.

Program runs approximately 57 minutes + Q&A after with the filmmakers of  The Statue 

Screening of TODAY’S Workshop Shorts! (all ages) : 4:40 pm THEATER ONE

Our workshop shorts screening is a highlight of the festival and one of the events that makes BAICFF unique. During the day, all the tiny films being shot by our young filmmakers in the Pixilation and Found Object animation workshops are edited together with sound and music by Berkeley City College Film students to create an assembly of the day’s films for our filmmakers (and their parents) to see on the big screen. Come see the films and applaud our young filmmakers as they take their bow! Sign up for a workshop today! 

Program runs approximately 15 minutes

FESTIVAL CLOSES FOLLOWING THE WORKSHOP FILMS

Special Programming Both Days

IMAGINATION GARDEN! 

Learn about bees and our relationship to them and them to us! We need bees for our food and to make the world awesome! Join The East Bay Bee Keepers Society as they present a program on Bee Keeping and the Importance of Bees. (Saturday Only)

Also come make flowers and contribute to our Imagination Garden! In Partnership with The Festival of Curiosity, Dublin Ireland, participate in hands-on adventure in play, electronics, craft, and curious invention. From Paper Crafting to Curious Robots and Singing Plants, drop by throughout the festival for some curious crafting and invention.

IMAGINATION LAB!

Cell Phone TAKE APART!  Saturday  Feb.  16h  3 pm  ( ages 9 & up )  – in CHEM/PHYS LAB

Did you ever wonder what is inside a cell phone? Well come to the Imagination Lab and take one apart and find out! First we will screen  OCTOPUS NEWS: Something About Your Cell Phone  and then  join our resident scientists and take apart a cell phone. What makes these things go? What are they made of? How  do you dispose of one properly.

 OCTOPUS NEWS: Something About Your Cell Phone by Chen Kuan Yu, 29’10, Taiwan, 2016  – Most of the kids in Taiwan have their own smartphones and computers. They learn a lot and have fun with these 3C products, but they never know how they’re produced and where their wastes go. In fact, these 3C wastes cause problems about the environment and human rights.  With photos from around the world and digital maps, we lead the kids to the Samsung building in Korea, one of the biggest cell phone manufacturers, and to the backstreets in Africa to see how they deal with recycled computers. We want the kids to know who pays the price of the technology which facilitates our life.

This hands on workshop involves little screws, metals and sharp objects. So we recommend an age range starting around 8 or 9 and up. Approx Time : 1 1/2 hours.

ROBOTICS !  Sunday Feb, 17th  11am  ( ages 7 & up ) – in CHEM/PHYS Lab

Who doesn’t love robots! First we’ll watch a great documentary film the film Never Give Up: The Journey of Bassett Robotics and once inspired by this fun story about kids just like you join our resident scientists and make Robots! What makes these things go? How do I make one? How do I program one? How can I make one clean up my room?