There is a diverse program of films from around the world carefully selected for a family audience, including the UK Premiere of Toy Story 2 (In Disney Difital 3D), this year's Family Gala title.
One of the classic children’s animated films from the peerless Pixar stable; it is being presented in glorious 3D for the first time, and promises to be sensational, whetting appetites for the third instalment next year.
Also introducing family audiences to the wonders of computer animation is Astro Boy, the story of a robot boy having to adjust to being different from his fellow children while being tasked with saving the world.
The film is voiced by Freddie Highmore (The Spiderwick Chronicles), Nicholas Cage, Bill Nighy and Samuel L Jackson. This is in addition to the LFF’s opening night film, Fantastic Mr Fox, which will receive a family friendly screening during the Festival.
Recommended for ages 6+ are the UK premiere of From Time to Time, an enchanting British family film starring Dame Maggie Smith and Timothy Spall, which tells the story of a boy sent to live with his grandmother in an old country mansion who is visited by ghosts that reveal clues to an old mystery.
Recommended for ages 8+ is A Shine of Rainbows, a moving tale of a lonely orphan adopted by a couple living on the beautiful west Irish coast, who discovers the joy of life while also struggling to be accepted by his new father, and The Eagle Hunter’s Son, the moving story of 12-year old Bazarbi, a Mongolian boy who learns the value of family and tradition when he is forced to go an adventure to find his father’s prize eagle. Continuing the international theme for those aged 8 and above, Max Embarrassing is a warm and confident Danish comedy about surviving life as a teenager.
Programme advisor for Young Audiences, Justin Johnson, comments: "This year's Festival showcases some of the very best animated and live-action titles for children from around the world. What is especially notable is the inclusion of a number of very strong English language titles in the selection including the UK premiere of Julian Fellowes' From Time to Time.
"It is particularly exciting to be able to present an intelligent and well made family film from the UK as this is an area of UK film making that could benefit from some re-invigoration. After the continued success of our monthly Family Fundays at BFI Southbank, we are delighted that this initiative will continue in the festival for a 2nd year with our Animated Shorts programme and Wallace and Gromit 20th Anniversary event.
"Directors and actors will be present at a number of the screenings during the festival to meet the audience and answer their questions - so there really is something for everyone."
Education manager Corinna Downing comments: "The heart of Education Events this year is our selection of films from the main Festival programme, offering dramas, documentaries and shorts from Iran, South Africa, Canada, Denmark, India and the UK, amongst others; we offer learners of all ages the unique opportunity to see these films free of charge, often with the directors on stage.
Education Events also has a special focus on the Festival itself this year, enabling children and teachers to host their own film festivals in schools as part of the Film Festival Project, letting students explore how film festivals work in our Film Festival Study Day, and providing a special talk for Seniors on the history of the Festival."
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