(Image courtesy Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation)

Bleatin’ Synopsis

Will Harris (voiced by Caleb McLaughlin) is a young goat and aspiring “roarball” player in the anthropomorphic city of Vineland. Roarball is essentially basketball, except the court is filled with innumerable hazards, like floating ice, magma lava, or giant tree roots. Will dreams of playing for his hometown team, the Vineland Thorns, whose star player Jett (Gabrielle Union) is closing in on retirement without having ever won the Claw, the ultimate trophy awarded in the sport.

Though he may be small, Will is mighty, accepting a one-on-one pick-up game against Mane Attraction (Aaron Pierre), an oversized horse and the lead player of the Thorns’ greatest rival, the Lava Court Magmas. When the clip of their showdown goes viral, Will is recruited by the Thorns’ owner Flo (Jennifer Lewis) to bring public interest to the team, comprised of a ragtag animal group: the doting daddy rhinoceros Archie (David Harbour), the rapper giraffe Lenny (Stephen Curry), the chaotic Komodo dragon Modo (Nick Kroll) and the skittish ostrich Olivia (Nicola Coughlan).

“GOAT” follows a traditional story arc for its characters, though it isn’t Will who has an emotional and spiritual growth; it’s Jett, whose sour attitude and foul disposition are upended by Will’s earnest positivity and formidable resiliency. She, a predator in the animal kingdom, is transformed by a small, unassuming goat. As the Thorns inch closer to a championship title, the team must rally around each other’s strengths instead of allowing self-doubt to dominate their game.

Archie (David Harbour) with his daughters, Modo (Nick Kroll), Olivia (Nicola Coughlan), Will (Caleb McLaughlin) and Lenny (Stephen Curry) in (Image courtesy Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation)

Get Your Snout in the Game

Sony Pictures Animation has made a name for itself as a studio interested in putting out refreshing forms of animation. Gone is the clean, digital look that Pixar revolutionized with “Toy Story.” “GOAT” opts for a bold, distinctly handcrafted look, a style we first saw in 2018’s Oscar-winning feature “Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse.” It is characterized by a combination of computer animation and a hand-drawn aesthetic that harkens back to comic book creation of generations past. The frenetic energy of the animation creates for a deeper world-building, and the city and characters of Vineland immediately draw us in.

The film’s overarching themes – teamwork, perseverance, and self-love – are wonderful messages for young viewers. “GOAT” also encourages physical activity, sportsmanship, and the beauty of sports. For fans of basketball, the backstory of Stephen Curry’s own rise in the NBA as a “smaller” player gives context for why he chose to produce the film and lend his voice to a character.

All that said, the plot is certainly not reinventing the wheel. The characters’ growth follows a traditional trajectory, and there is no surprise that the underdogs dominate in the end. Viewers will grow an attachment to the little goat by the time the credits roll, and there is very little concern that everything will tie up in a perfect little baaaaaa-ow.

Modo (Nick Kroll). (Image courtesy Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation)

Things To Know

• MPAA Rating: PG for some rude humor and brief mild language
• Where To Watch: In theaters now
• Recommended Age: 7+
• Runtime: 100 minutes
• Nightmare Inducers: While there aren’t many “scary” elements in this underdog sports comedy, some of the larger animals that are meant to intimidate Will could be viewed as threatening to sensitive viewers. Particularly from the perspective of a smaller animal, the Clydesdale horse, the scar-ravaged grizzly bear, and even some of the “good guys,” the manic Komodo dragon and Jett, the temperamental black panther, could be viewed as threatening or aggressive. There is pushing and shoving, as one might expect from depicting a competitive basketball game, but not much in the way of other forms of violence or physicality. There are references to the death of Will’s mother, though nothing explicit is shown.
• My Biggest Issue: The biggest qualm I had with the film was its overuse of smartphones as a way to further the plot. Will goes viral, and the story hinges on the idea that something he did in real life was only awarded because it was filmed, then broadcast on a social media platform. Will would not have been given a chance if it were not for his viral fame, a subplot that negates his hard work and tenacity. There is also a diss track that’s made and posted to taunt Will, a form of online bullying that probably did not need to make the cut for impressionable viewers.

The post ‘GOAT’ Parent Review: A predictable underdog story with a gritty edge appeared first on Seattle's Child.

(Image: IMDB)

“Encanto”

Disney’s newest movie follows the Madrigal family from a beautiful mountain town called Encanto. The town’s magic has given each member of the Madrigal family powers, except Mirabel. Watch as this wide-eyed, curly-haired, colorful character finds her special talent — just what she needs to save her town when the magic becomes dangerous! With music by award-winning singer and songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda, you’ll be singing the songs for days after. In theaters and streaming on Disney+; also available for purchase on DVD.

(Image courtesy Walkt Disney Pictures_

“E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial”

Who doesn’t remember this 80s classic line: “E.T. … phone home?!” Grab a bowl of Reese’s pieces (trust me, you’ll be glad you did) and watch as Elliott, a young boy from a suburban town, invites a lost alien into his home. Passing this off as one of his siblings results in plenty of silliness and adventure. One of Steven Spielberg’s greatest hits, it’s also a tear-jerker. Will E.T. ever get home? You’ll have to see it to find out!

(Image courtesy Amazon)

“Gnomeo & Juliet”

A wonderful take on Shakespeare’s classic “Romeo & Juliet,” the movie takes us through the feud of two families: the Montagues vs. the Capulets, except they’re all gnomes! Love-struck gnomes from opposite sides, Juliet and Romeo, find ways to meet each other when trouble strikes. Will they be together in the end? Lawnmowers, flowers, and pink flamingos take on unusual roles, making this a humorous story with a thrilling plot.

(Image courtesy Walt Disney Pictures)

“Lady and the Tramp”

A classic Valentine’s movie, this Disney selection follows the romantic adventures of Lady, a pampered cocker spaniel who runs away from home. She meets a mutt named Tramp who has a heart of gold. Kids of all ages will enjoy this movie for the sweet characters, lovely songs, and funny scenes. Pro tip: Have a plate of spaghetti on hand in case your kids want to slurp up noodles as these two pups do!

(Image courtesy Walt Disney Productions)

“Mary Poppins Returns”

“Mary Poppins Returns” is a new film exploring family relationships and friendships. With a combination of real-life characters with animation, nanny Mary Poppins and the Banks family go through many adventures to save their home from foreclosure. Don’t miss the original “Mary Poppins” movie, too! Song and dance will take you through this classic, having you singing the catchy tunes and leaving you with a warm and fuzzy feeling!

(Image courtesy Walt Disney Productions)

“Shrek”

An ogre, a princess and a lord … sounds like the set-up for a bad joke, but this movie is anything but bad! The kingdom is overseen by an evil Lord who banishes people to the swamp, the home of Shrek, the ogre. In order to regain peace and solitude, he must rescue the princess and deliver her to the villain. With action, drama and comedy, this movie is an entertainer! Find out if it’s also a romance.

(Image courtesy DreamWorks)

“Trolls”

These candy-colored bright creatures with wavy hair are a delight to watch! Your family will be wiggling toes and having a full-on dance party because the music is catchy and that good! The story is about a happy-go-lucky troll, Princess Poppy and her polar opposite friend, Branch, who try to keep their village safe from the evil Bergens. The Bergens believe the only way to get happiness is by eating the trolls! Will they save their friends? Watch and see.

(Image courtesy Walt Disney Pictures_

“WALL-E”

WALL-E is a robot, programmed to clean up all the trash on Earth, but he has a bigger purpose. He meets another robot, EVE, and they discover how to save the planet. You’ll fall in love with WALL-E and his big expressive eyes. The relationship these two robots share is endearing, and the message about humans on Earth is a lesson worth learning.

More Valentine’s Day family fun:

• 5 sweet, non-romantic ways to celebrate with kids
• The Playlist: Dozens of love- and kindness-themed home activities

The post Movies to watch as a family for Valentine’s Day appeared first on Seattle's Child.

Last week, for my own family’s Friday movie night, I put on something, as my kids say, “for work.” Given my job as a film writer, my two daughters have seen almost every age-appropriate flick released in the last five years.

“Arco,” coming to theaters this week, is a time- and space-traveling odyssey with a tender vision of the impending environmental crisis and humanity’s machine-reliant future. It’s also undeniably higher brow than the last work movie they saw with me, “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants.” All three of us went into “Arco” blind, and I was reassured of the choice by its PG rating and recent Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature.

(Image courtesy of Neon)

On- and Off-Screen Heartache

“Arco” follows a young boy living in a distant future. He inadvertently travels hundreds of years in the past, where Earth is struggling with climate change and a society disassociating under the growing weight of advanced technology. Written and directed by French filmmaker Ugo Bienvenu, the film emulates 80s Japanese anime, taking inspiration from Miyazaki and spinning a story that feels far more urgent than Studio Ghibli’s pastoral perspective.

At the film’s climax, a young girl named Iris has an emotional, tear-filled goodbye with Mikki, her robot nanny. An artificial stand-in for her parents who live and work outside of the family home, Mikki offers the only form of physical love that Iris experiences in her daily life, and its “death” is a tearjerker.

(Image courtesy of Neon)

“I’m sad,” my six-year-old said at no one in particular, tears welling to her throat and then her eyes. She nuzzled into me harder.

This admission, coupled with the waterworks, were not enough to force me to my feet. Hardly a day goes by that someone in our house doesn’t cry. This is the age of big feelings and high emotions, the usual culprits being hunger, fatigue, minor injury, or the savage tit-for-tat of sibling rivalry.

But her swell of sorrow wasn’t due to any of those reasons. This was a moment of empathy for fictional characters, a phenomenon that she’s experienced before, though perhaps not as frequently as I might assume. Sure, she’s seen a fair number of movies in her six years of life, but she has also been shielded from the incessant emotional whiplash that older generations endured.

(Image courtesy of Neon)

The Sad Movies We Grew Up With

For much of its existence, Disney has made unavoidably sad movies. The studio’s Golden Age (1937 to 1942) released films geared as much to adults as to children, a function of economic necessity and public demand. Films like “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Dumbo,” “Pinocchio,” and “Bambi” featured scenes of death, or near-death, and unending human suffering or animal anguish.

In the late 20th century, the Disney Renaissance (1989 to 1999) and the advent of VHS home theater revitalized the market for children’s animated features. Films like “The Lion King” and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” pushed the envelope of what young viewers could expect from a “kid’s movie.”

“The Hunchback of Notre Dame” pushed the envelope of what to expect for a kids movie. (Image courtesy Walt Disney Pictures & Walt Disney Animation Studios)

Scanning the Blockbuster aisles in my mind’s eye, I revisit the movies that once brought me the same feelings of sadness my daughter was experiencing, snuggled up next to me on the couch. I see Shadow stuck in the pit at the end of “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey,” Littlefoot’s mother sacrificing herself in “The Land Before Time,” and Charlie saying goodbye to Anne-Marie in “All Dogs Go to Heaven.”

As an adult, I don’t particularly seek out movies likely to make me cry, but the gut-punch never stopped me in my youth. Oftentimes, it was the opposite: feeling something by film’s end was more gratifying than not. Feeling something was far better than feeling nothing.

A recent study in Media Psychology found that children can be moved by “moral beauty” in film, and the ensuing emotion they experience opens their heart and mind to greater empathy in real life. The study, which placed the 2015 Pixar film “Inside Out” at the center of its investigation, concludes that movies can fuel a child’s social intelligence, offering them a new awareness of their own feelings, as well as the emotions of those around them.

Who doesn’t remember this moment from “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey” (Image courtesy Walt Disney Pictures & Touchwood Pacific Partners 1)

What Movies Teach Kids About Empathy

As my daughter sniffled and pursed her lips, my initial reaction was to “make it better,” to reassure her or to distract her from the sentiments bubbling over at the sight of the dying robot. As an adult viewer with a critical eye and a college degree in film studies, I didn’t find Mikki a particularly endearing character (“The Wild Robot” and “WALL-E” are just two android-centric films that make for a more captivating watch).

But my daughter was not crying about the red-eyed bot. She was not connecting or commiserating with Mikki. She was empathizing with Iris, whose sorrowful goodbye was big, loud, and wholly human. She had put herself in Iris’ place, reacting the way she might if her own pet robot decombusted before her eyes.

(Image courtesy of Neon)

Like “Inside Out,” “Arco” employs a traditional blueprint known as the “Hero’s Journey,” a classical narrative that follows a hero who goes on an adventure, encounters challenges and overcomes them, returning changed by the journey. The act of following their journey, parsing through the story’s themes and messages, is an early test of cognition that helps kids make sense of complex ideas and situations that they will likely encounter in their own lives. That same study found that films can provide young viewers with insights about life. Stories can introduce topics like death, loss, separation, and any number of traumatic life events in a
controlled setting, allowing the young viewer time and distance from the event to process it.

I don’t enjoy seeing my children upset, but I was touched by my youngest daughter’s expression of compassion and by her ability to connect, at just six, with a fictional character and a situation that has no resemblance to her own life. Films are meant to broaden our perspective, and “Arco” did just that.

Despite the brief tears, my daughter said she liked the movie. My other daughter asked to watch it again; she was smitten with the hand-drawn aesthetic and the plot that did not dumb itself down for them, even the ending’s twist that had me in a chokehold. They had questions about some of the nuances of the plot, and I answered them as best I could. Our family movie night has never felt as meaningful as it did that night. We all need a good cry once in a while.

“Arco” is in theaters now.

The post ‘Arco’ and the case for watching sad movies with your kids appeared first on Seattle's Child.

(Image courtesy Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon)

Synopsis

SpongeBob (Tom Kenny) has some exciting news: he is finally a verifiable “big guy”! (Cue the accompanying single “Big Guy” by rapper Ice Spice who also has a small role in the film.) Not only is this a personal accomplishment, but now the eternal optimist is tall enough to ride the terrifying “Shipwreck” rollercoaster at a Bikini Bottom amusement park. He may be a “big guy” now, but the overwhelming sight of the rickety ride has SpongeBob rethinking everything, even if Patrick Star (Bill Faberbakke) is fervent on the prospect.

SpongeBob’s boss Mr. Krabs (Clancy Brown) bails him out, but not before setting his employee on a journey to achieve his “swashbuckler certificate”, an honor that proves one’s fearlessness and undisputed “big guy” status. While snooping around Mr. Krabs’ heyday pirate memorabilia, SpongeBob and Patrick accidentally mobilize the Flying Dutchman (Mark Hamill), a ghost pirate with ulterior motives. He requires a gullible fall boy with “staggering stupidity” and dumb luck tomfoolery to bumble through a series of challenges that obliterate the curse that has kept the captain underwater for centuries and release him to human form.

(Image courtesy Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon)

Blissfully unaware of the dangers that are threatening to turn sinister at any given time, SpongeBob and Patrick commit to the part-obstacle-course, part-video-game challenges with their trademark idiotic confidence and the erratic charm that has made them beloved characters for generations of viewers. As the truth about Mr. Krabs’ own seafaring past comes to life, SpongeBob learns that perhaps the most important thing is to be true to yourself.

Frantic Fun for the Not-Big Guys

As the film stutters towards its climax, the reveal of the Flying Dutchman in live action form – Hamill in an egregious hook-nose prosthetic – almost feels like a cheesy letdown. His voice work over the comically engaging animation created a villain that was untrustworthy and mildly dangerous, but not overtly unsettling. Hamill’s transformation into the real-life Dutchman feels cheap for adult viewers and possibly disturbing for younger ones.

(Image courtesy Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon)

But perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the film is its lack of inclusion for the other beloved characters in this franchise. Squidward makes a passing appearance, as do Plankton and Sandy. “SpongeBob SquarePants” has been so popular for nearly three decades because of the vibrant and colorful community that makes up Bikini Bottom, an adjacent, non-living character that is all but glossed over. SpongeBob and Patrick go on a screwball adventure, which, apart from being several times longer than a traditional episode of television, feels a lot like their many harebrained jaunts and nonsensical exploits, minus the other, well-loved friends who have come to define “SpongeBob” for viewers.

This isn’t to say that kids, the target demographic for a film like this, won’t have a foolishly good time. There are enough jokes and physical humor to crack a smile on even the most dubious of small movie goers: in moments of fear, SpongeBob poops out his “lucky brick”, an innuendo that is geared at adults, but that the children find endlessly hilarious; Patrick mistakenly wears a pirate eye patch as a makeshift thong, parading it around to comical effect; or perhaps your little one’s cup of tea is repeating the idiotic fight song (“big guy”) on repeat, a dopey mantra that is guaranteed to follow you home. Whatever the case may be, rest assured, “Search for SquarePants” is here to offer you the most mind-numbing time at the theater this holiday season.

(Image courtesy Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon)

Age Recommendations and Parent Guide

• MPAA Rating: PG for rude humor, action, and some scary images
• Recommended Age: 6+
• Runtime: 96 minutes
• Nightmare Inducers: There are fleeting moments of peril that could upset sensitive viewers, particularly once SpongeBob and crew make it to the challenge round, vying against deep-sea creatures that snap and threaten, though never inflict harm. As a villain, the Flying Dutchman is more cartoonishly maniacal than he is a legitimate threat to anyone’s safety. The rollercoaster sequence at the end that finds SpongeBob plummeting down to Earth from somewhere high up in the atmosphere may also incite some unease. As a whole, however, it is rightly rated PG, mainly for its gross humor and light action. If your little viewers are comfortable watching the TV show, they will have no problem with this film.
• Where to Watch: In theaters Friday, December 19; check your local listings for times and ticket information

Want more Parent Review? Read our take on “Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie.”

The post A parent’s review of ‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants’ appeared first on Seattle's Child.

(© 2025 Disney Enterprises, Inc)

Synopsis

Rabbit police officer Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and her fox partner Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) are fresh off their first film’s crime-busting case, which put the scorned sheep Bellwether (Jenny Slate) behind bars for good. Despite their success, no one in Zootopia wants to take a bunny-vulpine duo seriously. Their boss Chief Bogo (Idris Elba) has no faith in their competency, and other members of the force, which consists predominantly of beefier animals like bro-minded zebras and blood-thirsty razorbacks, write them off.

Snakes are exiled creatures, so when a mysterious slithering newcomer begins sneaking around Zootopia, Judy’s ears perk. Gary De’Snake (Ke Huy Quan) is after the Lynxley journal, a relic of the city’s creation lore that has a hidden message proving the innocence of vipers everywhere.

Gary De’Snake, voiced by Ke Huy Quan. (© 2025 Disney Enterprises, Inc)

Judy and Nick are on its tracks – or whatever trail snakes leave – to uncover the truth. The path to enlightenment is filled with colorful characters, like Nibbles Maplestick (Fortune Feimster), a conspiracy theorist beaver podcaster with connections to reptiles, a class of animal displaced into segregated communities.

Gary seeks the definitive proof that his grandmother was the actual creator of the city’s weather walls, a high-tech system that splits Zootopia into quadrants and creates various climates to accommodate all animals. Pawbert Lynxley (Andy Samburg) is the grandson of Ebenezer Lynxley, the man who took the credit decades ago. The race to find the smoking gun intensifies as Judy and Nick get closer to uncovering who is right and who is doing so very wrong. With ZPD, Mayor Winddancer (Patrick Warburton) and the weight of powerful political families on their tail, the partners must learn how to work together on a mission worth fighting for.

(© 2025 Disney Enterprises, Inc)

Bear-y Funny and Otterly Bold

Writer-director Jared Bush worked on the first film, and he brings his best ideas for the sequel. Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde are two of the more endearing leads we’ve seen in an animated feature in recent memory, characters who appeal to the child’s dichotomous sense of mischief and morals, while also filling the script with enough humor for adult chaperones to enjoy.

What sets a Disney film apart from other animation studios is their attention to detail, small inclusions that make the world-building so much more palpable. There aren’t brand crossovers or product placements; instead, “YouTube” is changed to “EweTube”, and “Google” becomes “Zoogle.” Trivial details create a true sense of reality, and these characters are brought to greater life in vivid color because of these choices.

(© 2025 Disney Enterprises, Inc.)

Most importantly, the values promoted in this film make it a recommendable watch for viewers of all ages. Judy Hopps represents tenacity, morality, and overcoming adversity; Nick Wilde encourages teamwork, rationality, and integrity. Their mission seeks to promote equity and inclusion, rather than stereotyping one species long written off by Zootopia society. The moral of the story is commendable, without beating viewers over the head with its overt messages.

• MPAA Rating: PG for action/violence and rude humor
• Recommended Age: 7+
• Runtime: 108 minutes
• Where to Watch: Regal Meridian (Seattle), Pacific Place (Seattle), Admiral (West Seattle), Lincoln Square (Bellevue), Factoria (Bellevue), and more theaters. 
• Nightmare Inducers: Though the Lynxley family members are the clear-cut villains, they are not overly scary, going only so far as to reveal their sharp claws and mutter threatening words, but little else. The storyline, as a whole, moves quickly and sometimes aggressively from location to location, with lots of action along the way. They crash cars, fall off cliffs, and keep a steady pace as they race from antagonistic beasts.
• Parental Note: There are weapons employed, mainly dart guns. Pawbert does use his final villain sequence to stab the good guys with bottled snake venom, though the antidote saves the day. There isn’t explicit death depicted, though many characters are injured, frightened, and abducted. A fire is set to smoke out witnesses in a few moments of peril. There are some light innuendos that parents will understand, but go completely over the heads of young viewers. (Maplestick has a punchy catch phrase that goes something like, “It takes two to tango, but a threesome to be something.”) And while there are a handful of euphemisms (“what the pork”) and mild-language insults (“dirtbag”, “butthead”, “dumb”), dialogue is generally good-humored.

Some of the products, services, or experiences mentioned in this article may have been provided at no cost or at a discount. However, all opinions expressed are solely those of the author and/or the Seattle’s Child editorial team. Our coverage remains independent, and we only feature things we genuinely believe will be of interest to our readers.

The post Parent Review: ‘Zootopia 2’ could be the funniest Zootopia yet appeared first on Seattle's Child.

(Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures)

Synopsis of “Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie”

Child actor Laila Lockhart Kraner reprises her role as the titular character Gabby, a sweet and earnest adventurer who uses magical cat ears with a “pinch on the left, pinch-pinch on the right” to shrink herself down to a size conducive to playing inside her enchanted dollhouse. Her best friends are the Gabby Cats, small figurines who live inside the dollhouse and who come to life when she’s ready to play. The gang is all back for this latest installment: Pandy Paws, Cakey Cat, CatRat, MerCat, DJ Catnip, Kitty Fairy, Pillow Cat, Carlita and Baby Box. Gabby and friends are visiting Grandma Gigi (played by Gloria Estefan) in San Francisco. After a series of mishaps, the dollhouse lands in the hands of a strange, cat-obsessed woman named Vera (played by SNL’s Kristen Wiig). The dollhouse joins Vera’s feline-themed collection and is destined to be lost as another ignored item on her shelf.

It’s up to Gabby to find her Gabby Cats and rescue the dollhouse from Vera and Chumsley, Vera’s misguided childhood toy cat brought to life by Gabby’s magic. The journey will take them to new lands, like the large fish tank where MerCat has created a vibrant underwater world or the lush garden where Kitty Fairy has become ruler of the local twig creatures. In the process, Gabby may also teach the grown-up a thing or two about friendship, self-confidence, and, most importantly, living with a healthy imagination.

Gabby and Pandy Paws (Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures)

Post-Viewing Thoughts from a 5-Year-Old

• What was your favorite part of the film? “I really liked all of it. If I had to pick one part, I liked where they transformed to a snowy place where the snow was frosting and there was candy and sprinkles. That looked so yummy. I wanted to eat it, but I liked watching it.”
• Was Vera scary? “No, not really. I liked her, and she was really funny. Her cat [Marlene] did yoga, and it made me laugh. I thought it was so funny when she said, ‘Hey girl bye.’”
• Was it similar to the television series? “Just a little bit. There was a new cat [Chumsley] who was funny and cute. I liked [the movie] more than the TV show!”
• Who do you think would like this movie? “I think my friend Avery would like it. I think a person that likes the show will like the movie. They will like that she can shrink into the dollhouse. I like to pretend to play like [Gabby].”

Kristen Wiig as Vera (Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures)

Imagination Exploration: The Film’s Core Message

Of all the many things “Gabby’s Dollhouse” is (or isn’t), the idea of using one’s imagination is certainly its most potent and important message. Gabby has free rein of the dollhouse because she allows herself to get swept away by her imagination. I’ve heard my daughter say multiple times that she also likes to “do like Gabby” and “get small” into her own dollhouse while she plays with her figurines. The emphasis on imaginative play and on creating one’s own characters and storylines is directly linked to freedom of expression and confidence-building in young children.

The mixed-media aspect of “Gabby’s Dollhouse”, which takes place in the live-action real world as well as in an animated/CGI realm, creates the idea that multiple worlds can exist at the same time, a concept certainly appealing to young explorers who are just learning to create things with their minds. Visually, it makes for a more interesting show, particularly for younger viewers who haven’t graduated to full-time, live-action content. This film, in particular, is easy on the eyes, a feast for young viewers who will adore the rainbows and fairies sprinkled throughout. The 5-year-olds accompanying me to this screening were enamored with the animation and the fluffy, colorful aesthetic that many girls this age adore. It’s a flirty mix of pastels and cat-inspired style that they continue to reference days later.

(Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures)

Age Recommendations and Parent Guide

• MPAA Rating: G
• Recommended Age: 4+
• Runtime: 98 minutes
• Nightmare Inducers/Difficult Concepts: With a G rating, there is very little that could cause the viewer to be scared. Wiig’s antagonist, the eccentric Vera, is an extension of her SNL personas rather than a legitimate villain. In the film’s climax, Gabby does have a momentary crisis of identity as the concept that she will eventually get older and not want to play with her dollhouse looms ever closer, but the film brushes by it swiftly. Gabby is as imaginative and sweetly-spirited as ever.

The post Parent Guide & Review: ‘Gabby’s Dollhouse’ gets its first movie appeared first on Seattle's Child.

Pre-movie entertainment typically gets going about 6 or 7 p.m., but movies themselves don’t start until dusk – about 9:15 p.m. at the start of summer and about 8:30 p.m. by the end of August. See below for movies and entertainment schedules for each venue.

Seattle

Mural Amphitheatre, Seattle Center

305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109

Cozy up in a chair or on your blanket and watch a selection of free movies good for teens and older at Seattle Center. Bring your own picnic or stop at the Armory for a plethora of food choices. Picnic on the gently sloping Mural Amphitheatre lawn, in front of a state-of-the-art 40-foot screen, with the Space Needle looming above. The series features popular movies, both classic and contemporary. Movies begin at dusk (about 9 p.m.) on Fridays, starting on July 25, and go through August 22. Each screening will be preceded by a short film created by students at Cornish College of the Arts at Seattle University and alumni of University of Washington Professional & Continuing Education Film & Video Production certificate program.

• Friday, July 25 | 9 p.m. | “Ratatouille” [G]
• Friday, August 1 | 9 p.m. |  “The Princell Bride” [PG]
• Friday, August 8 | 9 p.m. | “E.T. The Extra Terrestrial” [PG]
• Friday, August 15 | 9 p.m. | “Say Anything” [PG-13]
• Friday, August 22 | 9 p.m. | “Wicked [PG]

Movies at the Mural (Photo courtesy Christopher Nelson)

Movie by the Tower – Maple Leaf

1020 NE 82nd St, Seattle, WA 98115

Bring your own low-back chairs, pillows, and blankets, and join this event under the stars for three nights of Movies by the Tower at Maple Leaf Reservoir Park. There will be live music performances, trivia, complimentary popcorn and treats and a beer garden before the movie starts. Activities begin at 7 p.m. and movies start at dusk on Saturdays from August 9th through 23rd, 2025 and are free for the public. 2025 line up below.

Movies at Seattle Downtown Parks

Multiple locations, see below

Catch a free film at one of these parks in Seattle. Pre-movie activities at the following locations start at 6:30 p.m. and the movies begin at dusk. Be sure to check their Facebook for any updates before going to the event.

• Wednesday, June 18 | 6:30 p.m. | Freeway Park | “Peewee’s Big Adventure” [PG]
• Friday, June 20 | 6:30 p.m. | Cascade Playground | “Dr. Strangelove” [PG]
• Wednesday, June 25 | 6:30 p.m. | Freeway Park | “Wayne’s World” [PG-13]
• Friday, June 27 | 6:30 p.m. | Cal Anderson Park | “WICKED” (Sing along version) [PG]
• Friday, July 11 | 6:30 p.m. | Cal Anderson Park | “Mama Mia! 2” [PG-13]
• Wednesday, July 16 | 6:30 p.m. | Denny Park | “Karate Kid” [PG]
• Friday, July 18 | 6:30 p.m. | Cal Anderson Park | “Shrek” [PG]
• Wednesday, July 23 | 6:30 p.m. | Denny Park | “E.T. – The Extra Terrestrial” (1982) [PG]
• Friday, July 25 | 6:30 p.m. | Cal Anderson Park | “Rocky Horror Picture Show” [R]
• Wednesday, July 30 | 6:30 p.m. | Ballard Commons Park | “Top Gun” [PG]
• Saturday, August 2 | 6:30 p.m. | Hing Hay Park | “Goonies” [PG]
• Wednesday, August 6 | 6:30 p.m. | Ballard Commons Park | “Galaxy Quest” [PG]
• Friday, August 8 | 6:30 p.m. | Freeway Park | “Anaconda” (1997) [PG-13]
• Saturday, August 9 | 6:30 p.m. | Hing Hay Park | “She Marches in Chinatown” [G]
• Wednesday, August 13 | 6:30 p.m. | Ballard Commons Park | “Coco” [PG]
• Friday, August 15 | 6:30 p.m. | Freeway Park | “Indiana Jones – Raiders” (1981) [PG]
• Saturday, August 16 | 6:30 p.m. | Hing Hay Park | “WICKED” [PG]
• Friday, August 22 | 6:30 p.m. | Freeway Park | “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” [PG]
• Saturday, August 23 | 6:30 p.m. | Hing Hay Park | “Lilo and Stitch” (2002) [PG]
• Friday, August 29 | 6:30 p.m. | Freeway Park | “Clash of the Titans” (1981) [PG-13]

Eastside

BECU at Marymoor Park

6046 West Lake Sammamish Pkwy NE, Redmond, WA 98052

Movies at Marymoor Park is celebrating its 21st season and has a wonderful lineup of films coming soon. A festival-style event, this dog-friendly event will have food trucks and entertainment. $10/per person; children 5 and under are free. Purchase tickets online or at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. with various entertainment happening shortly thereafter. Note, movies during mid to late August start earlier. Check for 2025 movie updates here.

• Wednesday, July 2 | 7:30 p.m. | “Goonies [PG]
• Wednesday, July 9 | 7:30 p.m. | “Lilo & Stitch” [PG]
• Wednesday, July 16 | 7:00 p.m. | “Legally Blonde” [PG 13]
• Thursday, July 24 | 7:00 p.m. | “The Wild Robot” [PG]
• Thursday, July 31 | 7:00 p.m. | “Guardians of the Galaxy” [PG-13]
• Wednesday, August 6 | 6:30 p.m. | “UP” [PG]
• Thursday, August 14 | 6:30 p.m. | “Pirates of the Caribbean” [PG 13]
• Wednesday, August 20 | 6:30 p.m. | “WICKED” [PG]

Movies at Marymoor Park (Photo courtesy Epicevents)

Kirkland Outdoor Summer Movie Series

9703 NE Juanita Dr, Kirkland, WA 98034

111 Waverly Way, Kirkland, 98033

Bring a blanket, dinner, and some pillows to enjoy the double features in Kirkland on Saturdays from July 12-26, 2025 at Juanita Beach Park and August 2-9, 2025 at Heritage Park.. The movies are from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The first movie will start at 6 p.m. and then the second movie starts at 8 p.m. The 2025 lineup below.

• Saturday, July 12 | 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. | Juanita Beach Park | “Despicable Me 4” (PG) & “Wonka” (PG)
• Saturday, July 19 | 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. | Juanita Beach Park | “Migration” (PG) & “Madame Web” (PG-13)
• Saturday, July 26 | 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. | Juanita Beach Park | “Kung Fu Panda 4” (PG) & “The Marvels” (PG-13)
• Saturday, August 2 | 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. | Heritage Park | If (PG) & The Fall Guy (PG-13)
• Saturday, August 9 | 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. | Heritage Park | Finding Dory (PG) & Ghost Busters: Frozen Empire (PG-13)

Movies in the Park in Bellevue 

10201 NE 4th St, Bellevue, WA 98004

Movies in the Park in Bellevue are at Downtown Park every Tuesday evening from July 15th to August 19th, 2025. There will be pre-movie live entertainment begin at 7 p.m. and movies will begin at dusk. All movies are rated PG. See 2025 July and August line up below.

• Tuesday, July 15 | Starts at dusk | “Moana 2” [PG]
• Tuesday, July 22 | Starts at dusk | “Detective Pikachu” [PG]
• Tuesday, July 29 | Starts at dusk | “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” [PG]
• Tuesday, August 5 | Starts at dusk | “Cars” [G]
• Tuesday, August 12 | Starts at dusk | “Miracle” [PG]
• Tuesday, August 19 | Starts at dusk | “Monsters University” [G]

Movie in the Park Bellevue (Photo courtesy City of Bellevue)

South of Seattle

Burien Movies in the Park 

15100 6th Ave SW, Burien, WA 98166

Join for a summer evening of FREE family-friendly movies at Burien Town Square. Be sure to bring blankets, snacks, and low-height chairs. Movies will start right after sunset (approximately 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.). Dogs on leash are welcome.

• Friday, July 11 | 8:30 p.m. | The Wild Robot [PG]
• Friday, July 18 | 8:30 p.m. | Wicked [PG]
• Friday, July 25 | 8:30 p.m. | Lilo & Stitch [PG]
• Friday, August 1 | 8:30 p.m. | Better Nate than Ever [PG]
• Friday, August 8 | 8:30 p.m. | Moana 2 [PG]

Puyallup Movie in the Park

14422 Meridian E, Puyallup, WA 98375

Grab a blanket and your favorite lawn chair to Meridian Habitat Park for a fun movie night experience from July 11th through July 25th, 2025. The movies are FREE and as the sun sets, get ready to be entertained by family-friendly movies projected onto the big screen. Feel free to pack your own snacks and picnic treats to munch on during the movie or indulge in the delicious offerings from Cup of Jones Espresso, Hot Shot Pizza, and Reigning Kettle Corn food trucks on site. Get there early at 7 p.m. for exciting preshow activities, games and special character appearances to kick off the evening. On July 25, there will be a special dog friendly movie and furry pets are welcome to join. 2025 line up below.

• Friday, July 11 | 7 p.m. | “Mufasa” [PG]
• Friday, July 18 | 7 p.m. | “The Wild Robot” [PG]
• Friday, July 25 | 7 p.m. | “Dog Man” [PG]

Dive in Movies (Photo courtesy Wild Waves Theme Park).

Dive-In Movies at Wild Waves

36201 Enchanted Pkwy S, Federal Way, WA 98003

The Federal Way theme park is showing off its giant poolside LED screen with movies in the pool (park admission required). Float in the wave pool or kick back in a lounge chair for their weekly movie nights. Movies are rated G or PG. The 2025 dive in movies will be from July 17th through August 21st. The 2025 line up below, stay updated here.

• Thursday, July 17 | Mufasa The Lion King
• Thursday, July 24 | Encanto Sing Along [PG]
• Thursday, July 31 | Inside Out 2 [PG]
• Thursday, August 7 | The Hedgehog 3 [PG]
• Thursday, August 14 | Minions [PG]
• Thursday, August 21 | The Goonies [PG]

Covington Outdoor Movies

17649 SE 240th St, Covington, WA 98042

Stop by the Covington Community Park for free outdoor summer movies on the big screen on Fridays from July 25 through August 15, 2025. Sponsored by King County Parks. 2025 line up below.

• Friday, July 25 | 9 p.m. | “Sonic 3” [PG]
• Friday, August 1 | 9 p.m. | “Toy Story” [G]
• Friday, August 8 | 8:45 p.m. | “Inside Out 2” [PG]
• Friday, August 15 | 8:30 p.m. | “Moana 2” [PG]

North of Seattle

Marysville Movies in the Park

6915 Armar Rd, Marysville, WA 98270

Head to Jennings Park in Marysville on Fridays, from July 11 to August 8, 2025 for a FREE family-friendly outdoor movie. All movies begin at dusk and have different running times. Movies begin at dusk. 2025 line up below.

• Friday, July 11 | 9:10 p.m. | “Captain America: Brave New World” [PG 13]
• Friday, July 18 | 9 p.m. | “The Fall Guy” [PG 13]
• Friday, July 25 | 8:55 p.m. | “Inside Out 2” [PG]
• Friday, August 1 | 8:45 p.m. | “Moana 2” [PG]
• Friday, August 8 | 8:35 p.m. | “Snow White” [PG]

Movies at the Square 

6728 NE 181st St, Kenmore, WA 98028

Join a free movie night at Kenmore Town Square for a fun, family-friendly event on two select Wednesdays. There will be free arts and crafts prior to the movie showing starting at dusk. Be sure to bring your own low chair or blanket to sit on. See the 2025 lineup updates here.

• Wednesday, July 16 | 8 p.m. | Captain America Brave New World [PG-13]
• Wednesday, August 13 | 8 p.m. | Inside Out 2 | [PG]

Sail in Cinema. (Photo courtesy Port of Everett)

Everett Sail-in Cinema

1200 Millwright Lp, Everett, WA 98201

Join Friday nights, July 25 through August 22, 2025, at the Port of Everett’s Boxcar Park for the 10th annual Sail-In Cinema. The Port of Everett’s Sail-in Cinema is the only waterfront movie series in Snohomish County, offering free, family-friendly movies. Learn more about what to bring/expect here. Note: if the weather is bad, the movie may be canceled and or rescheduled. 2025 line up below.

• Friday, July 25 | 9:20 p.m. | “13 Going on 30” [PG-13]
• Friday, August 1 | 9:10 p.m. | “Million Dollar Arm” [PG]
• Friday, August 8 | 9 p.m.  | “The Finest Hours” [PG-13]
• Friday, August 15 | 8:50 p.m. | “The Wild Robot” [PG]
• Friday, August 22 | 8:35 p.m. | “Cars” [G]

West of Seattle

Movies in the Park – Bainbridge Island 

Battle Point Park, 11299 Arrow Point Dr NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

Bring your beach chairs and blankets to save your favorite spot, then hop in line for some free popcorn. In partnership with the Bainbridge Island branch of the Kitsap Regional Library, each movie night will offer pre-movie activities themed to that night’s feature film, lawn games, and more. Line up for 2025 below.

• | Friday, August 1 | 8 p.m. | Battle Point Park | Free | Freaky Friday [PG]
• | Friday, August 8 | 8 p.m. | Battle Point Park | Free | Footlose [PG]
• | Friday, August 15 | 8 p.m. | Battle Point Park | Free | Barbie [PG 13]
• | Friday, August 22 | 8 p.m. | Battle Point Park | Free | The Matrix [Rated R]
• | Friday, August 1 | 8 p.m. | Battle Point Park | Free | Galaxy Quest [PG]

The post Your guide to outdoor movies in the greater Seattle area appeared first on Seattle's Child.

There are five thoughtfully curated film programs, each with its own theme and personality. One night you’ll be off on a wild ride with “Lights, Camera, Adventure!” and the next, diving into feelings and friendship with “Strength & Resilience” or “Friends & Family.” From animated journeys across the globe to documentaries about identity and growing up, each program invites kids (and their grown-ups) to think, laugh, and maybe see the world a little differently. And in true family-friendly fashion, each program gets two screenings during the week, so there’s no need to panic if bedtime wins one night.

2025 Children’s Film Festival Seattle poster. Photo courtesy Northwest Film Forum

Film festival programs

Lights, Camera, Adventure (1 hour 41 mins): From enchanted forests and icy lakes to distant planets and dusty memories, these stories explore adventure, friendship, identity, and the unexpected connections we make.

Strength & Resilience (2 hours): This powerful collection of films explores the challenges we face, the courage it takes to keep going, and the unexpected strength we find. Whether navigating grief, standing up to pressure, or simply learning how to slow down and problem-solve, each story in this program reminds us that there’s a path forward even in tough times.

Friends & Family (1 hour 30 mins): No matter what life throws at us, good or bad, there’s always someone in our corner, even if we don’t always realize it. These films are all about the people we stick with and the wild, sweet, meaningful rides we take together to find the moments that make it all worth it.

Learning While Living (2 hours): This lineup includes one feature film and 10 shorts that explore how we grow through the people around us and what we learn. Wherever we are in the world, those connections shape us most.

What We’re Made Of (1 hour 17 mins): What makes you you? This short film program dives into what sets us apart, inside and out. Maybe you’re feeling bold, or perhaps you’re still figuring things out. Either way, these stories take you on a journey of self-discovery, growth, and what it means to be yourself.

Film workshops

One of our favorite parts is the workshops the festival provides for youth. Kids 18 and younger can participate in the Youth Cyanotype Workshop on July 26 this year. Participants will get hands-on with 16mm film, light-sensitive paper, and a little creative alchemy to make short films they can premiere for family and friends. It’s a great way to give young storytellers the spotlight.

Know before you go

• Dates: The festival runs July 23-27, 2025
• Location: The Children’s Film Festival Seattle takes place at Northwest Film Forum at 1515 12th Ave. in Seattle.
• Tickets: $15 for adults, $7 for kids, or grab a festival pass ($60 for grown-ups, $20 for youth)
• Special accommodations: Northwest Film Forum offers sensory kits, assistive listening devices, and a welcoming space for all families.

The post Children’s Film Festival Seattle 2025: Movies Kids Will Love appeared first on Seattle's Child.

Films4Families is a family-friendly program geared towards kids under seven. This category has two animated features for early elementary school viewers and a shorts program. Curious teen cinephiles will love “The Dark Crystal” (1982), a later showing that is as close to terrifying and trauma-forming as parents want their kids to get.

“Ride the wave of the future” is SIFF’s introduction to FutureWave, a program aimed at viewers 13 to 21. Coming-of-age may differ slightly between generations, but this selection of films proves that it is still a universal experience that we will seek out on screen until the end of time. These nine entries include an eye-opening documentary, several coming-of-age dramas, a body-horror satire, and something everyone can enjoy.

(Photo courtesy SIFF)

“Dancing Queen in Hollywood” (FutureWave)

“Dancing Queen in Hollywood,” the sequel to SIFF 2023 Golden Space Needle Best Film winner “Dancing Queen,” picks up with Mina and Markus after their devastating competition loss. Hard work and perseverance pay off with the chance of a lifetime: starring roles in a music video! The duo travels to Los Angeles, where the pull towards stardom has Mina second-guessing her commitment to bigger projects. This family-friendly comedy will have audiences of all ages dancing and laughing at the growing pains of big dreams. Note: This film is presented with English subtitles.

Playing May 16, 6:30 p.m. at Shoreline Community College and May 19, 7:00 p.m. at SIFF Cinema Uptown. Get tickets here.

(Photo courtesy SIFF)

“The Dark Crystal” (Films4Families)

Though it is from Jim Henson’s mind and utilizes his characteristic puppets, “The Dark Crystal” is, as the title suggests, quite dark indeed. With a later showtime, this screening is geared towards older kids and teens prepared for the weird and sometimes grotesque world of Skeksis and Mystics, two races of creatures dwelling together on a fictional planet. There’s a prophecy, a chosen one, an incredible journey, and some audacious puppet mastery that viewers new to the film will find utterly bewitching.

Playing May 20, 6:30 p.m. at SIFF Cinema Downtown. Get tickets here.

“The Family Picture Show” (Films4Families)

Travel the world from SIFF Cinema Uptown with “The Family Picture Show”, a collection of shorts that is as wide-ranging as it is emotionally stirring. Ian McKellen lends his voice to a stop-motion fox who leads a young boy on a magical journey. From the studio that brought us the Oscar-nominated “WolfWalkers,” comes a short story about another brave girl who is strong enough to save her village. A small indigenous child partakes in the traditions of her people: ice fishing with magical mittens. No film lasts more than 13 minutes, with some as short as three minutes, and the series consists of 12 entries from around the world: Taiwan, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.

Playing May 24, 11:30 a.m. at SIFF Cinema Uptown and streaming online on May 26 through SIFF Streaming. Go online to get tickets and for more details on each short film presented in this 88-minute program.

“FutureWave: Teenage Hearts” (FutureWave)

Unlike “The Family Picture Show,” which is a program of shorts made for young viewers, “FutureWave: Teenage Hearts” is a program of shorts made by young filmmakers. This 98-minute collection features 14 short films ranging from three to 12 minutes. Each entry was submitted by a filmmaker aged 18 and under, who explored how their peers experience love. Swoon!

Playing May 18, 2:15 p.m. at SIFF Film Center and streaming online on May 26 through SIFF Streaming. Get tickets here.

“Happyend” (FutureWave)

Set in a subtly futuristic world, “Happyend” is for the teen obsessed with dystopian fiction. In the film, technology has become a weapon more than a tool, and surveillance is approaching tyranny. Following a prank involving the principal’s car, high school students must suffer through new oppressive rules and navigate the pitfalls of traditional teenagedom. “Happyend” is a politically aware, coming-of-age drama showcasing a new look for teenage angst, but featuring the familiar rage against societal expectations.

Note: This film is presented with English subtitles.

Playing May 22, 9:00 p.m. and May 23, 3:45 p.m. at AMC Pacific Place. Get tickets here.

(Photo courtesy: SIFF)

“Into the Wonderwoods” (Films4Families)

Elementary-aged viewers (and adults alike) will be entranced by “Into the Wonderwoods”, a mixed-media animated journey that finds its unassuming lead Angelo, a young boy with a penchant for epic daydreams, lost in a wondrous land that is beyond even the wildest of imaginations. With an eco-conscious focus more abstract than the literal threat in “Fern Gully”, “Into the Wonderwoods” is the captivating adventure that is as silly and childish as it is intricate and visually stunning.

Playing May 17, 12:00 p.m. at SIFF Cinema Downtown and May 18, 12:00 p.m. at Shoreline Community College. Get tickets here.

“Slanted” (FutureWave)

Following the incredible success of last year’s “The Substance”, a body-horror film that critiqued our view of the aging female figure, “Slanted” is a teen-friendly take for this generation of young adults. Shirley Chen and McKenna Grace star as Joan, a wannabe prom queen in a small town where only blonde-haired, blue-eyed girls get the crown. Joan before the experimental “ethnic reassignment” surgery (Chen) looks nothing like Joan after the procedure (Grace), but her fairy tale ending may not be as beautiful as she was expecting. Set against a regular American high school backdrop, “Slanted” is the satire we are most eager to experience at SIFF this year.

Playing May 24, 9:00 p.m. at SIFF Cinema Uptown and May 25, 3:30 p.m. at SIFF Cinema Uptown. Get tickets here.

(Photo courtesy: SIFF)

“Tales from the Magic Garden” (Films4Families)

If you enjoyed “Tony, Shelly, and the Magic Light”, a stop-motion feature from SIFF 2024, then “Tales from the Magic Garden” is your must-see SIFF entry. Interweaving themes of grief, familial love and imagination, this stop motion delight out of the Czech Republic is based on the stories of author Arnost Goldflam. It follows three siblings who use storytelling to amuse one another and bring back their beloved grandmother’s memory. Though viewers will need solid reading skills to watch this one, they will quickly fall in love with the film’s handmade aesthetic and whimsical style.

Note: This film is presented with English subtitles.

Playing May 18, 12:00 p.m. at SIFF Cinema Uptown and May 25, 11:00 a.m. at SIFF Cinema Uptown. Get tickets here.

“Unclickable” (FutureWave)

The only documentary on this list, “Unclickable,” will resonate with current tech-savvy teens. Ad fraud is a problem affecting all industries, and a former tech executive demonstrates just how easy it is to manipulate the system. Big companies like Uber lose millions to ad fraud, but the kicker is that Google and Meta, who run most of the internet’s digital advertising, make money regardless of authenticity. Put on your critical thinking caps, and introduce your young viewer to the art of investigative documentary filmmaking.

Note: This film is presented with English subtitles.

It will be shown on May 19 at 8:30 p.m. at SIFF Film Center, May 22 at 1:30 p.m. at SIFF Cinema Uptown, and online on May 26 through SIFF Streaming. Get tickets here.

The post SIFF is back with a line-up of family-friendly films appeared first on Seattle's Child.

Why? Because it’s your chance to see 12 excellent family-friendly films together all in one 88-minute sitting. That’s the length of a typical feature film, by the way. In this compilation, no film runs more than 13 minutes, most between three and nine minutes. 

From the “Lonely Life of Lint.” (Image: SIFF)

A reel showcase

Another reason? This short film collection showcases film artists from around the world and a wide range of film styles, from animation to live action to stop action to aper mâché. The films run together to stir emotions and delight the heart.

In this year’s show, Ian McKellen lends his voice to a stop-motion fox who leads a young boy on a magical journey, and the studio created the Oscar-nominated “WolfWalkers” tells the story of a brave girl who is strong enough to save her village. You’ll be captivated by a small Indigenous child who partakes in the traditions of her people: ice fishing with magical mittens. 

From “5 Cousins & the Creek”. (Image: SIFF)

Magic in minutes

I’ve been attending the SIFF short collection for families for years — my kids loved the shorts, and I continued to love the reminder that a piece of writing or film does not have to be long to be impactful. My kids are grown now, but I continue to attend — to watch the kids and parents in the audience as they laugh and sometimes sniffle their way through films that truly speak to the heart of a child — films filled with heart, beauty, and messages of kindness, resilience, and courage. 

Make this the one SIFF show you don’t miss.

From “Dragfox”. (Image: SIFF)

About each film:

Here’s brief synopsis of each short as offered by SIFF festival curators:

• “5 Cousins & the Creek” / Taiwan: Five cousins are determined to use their creativity and tenacity to successfully cross the creek behind their grandpa’s house to see what happens on the other side. 
• “Above the Clouds” / USA: An ambitious owlet yearns to fly above the clouds despite his shortcomings but keeps falling short, only to find that all he needed was an unexpected glide down the mountainside. USA
• “Dragfox” / UK: Together with a mysterious fox (voiced by legendary actor Ian McKellen), Sam embarks on a magical journey to the attic to discover the surprising things they might have in common and how to celebrate the ways in which they differ. 
• “Éiru” / Ireland: When her Iron Age village’s well mysteriously dries up, only Éiru is small enough to descend into the belly of the earth to bring the water of life back to her people. 
• “Goodnight Lucy” / USA: Lucy’s wild imagination gets the best of her as her mother tries to find the perfect bedtime story. 
• “Grizzy and the Lemmings World Tour” (Season 4) – Iced Grizzy / France: A bear named Grizzy engages in slapstick battle with a group of mischievous lemmings with unintended but hilarious consequences.
• “Harbor” / USA: Witness the good times and growing pains as a single father raises his daughter in their coastal town.
• The Lonely Life of Lint / USA: An unexpected discovery sends a lonely lint creature on a quest for companionship.
• “Munkha” / Russia: In the snowy heart of Yakutia, a little girl named Nyukku excitedly embarks on her first traditional fishing journey with her family and her “magical” mittens.
• “Overcast” / USA: Cirro, an optimistic cloud, tries to keep the sky from raining until his first encounter with Nimbus, a jaded cloud, who is not so easily convinced.
• “Pow!” / USA: A Native American kid scrambles to charge his dying video game console at a bustling intertribal powwow.
• “Xiaonan and the Hatching Chicken Factory” / Taiwan: Xiaonan does not like smelly or messy places, but he is willing to brave his aunt’s chicken hatchery to make sure his egg friend Silly Head hatches.

Playing May 24, 11:30 a.m. at SIFF Cinema Uptown and streaming online on May 26 through SIFF Streaming. Go online to get tickets and for more details on each short film presented in this 88-minute program.

The post SIFF for Kids: ‘The Family Picture Show’  appeared first on Seattle's Child.