Belmont World Film's 22nd Family Festival is a celebration of some of the world's most imaginative films for and about children, brought to life on the big screen as a shared experience for children aged 3-12 and their families. More than half the selections are adapted or re-imagined from literature, and almost all are North American premieres. Children age 5+ can also learn how to draw the Minions and Hotel Transylvania characters during a workshop by David Feiss, the co-director of the recently released animated film Hitpig! starring Jason Sudeikus. Feiss will also be on hand for a Q&A after the film's screening.

Schedule Of Events

January 18, 2025

10:30 AM : Pet Projects

From playful pets to wild creatures, this collection of funny and creative, wordless, international animated short films from around the world in a variety of animation styles—from charming stop-motion to stunning 2D and 3D animation—blends humor, emotion, and creativity. Age 3-8

11:45 AM : Elli And The Ghostly Ghost Train

Set in a futuristic world where ghosts and the abnormal are no longer allowed in society, homeless little ghost Elli goes in search of her missing uncle, and ends up hiding in a Ghost Train filled with eccentric residents. While on the lookout for a place to belong, she accidentally attracts the attention from the "outsideworld" and must team up with the Ghost Train’s motley crew on a crazy quest to save the Ghost Train’s future. Along the way she finds friendship and family. Age 3-8

1:30 PM : Dounia And The Great White North Shown With Skipping Rope

Dounia and her grandparents experience life in Canada after fleeing the war in Syria, leaving her father in Aleppo. She and her new French Canadian and indigenous friends delight in sharing their respective cultures. Missing her father deeply, Dounia follows her indigenous friend’s grandmother’s advice to call out to him with all her heart. In Skipping Rope, a young girl yearns for the life her older sister leads: being part of a rope skipping team, trendy shoes, a close circle of friends, and the affectionate gaze of their parents. Age 5-12+

3:15 PM : Winners

Eleven-year-old Mona, a Kurdish girl who fled Syria with her family, now lives in a culturally vibrant Berlin neighborhood where most kids are from other countries. Struggling with German but fluent in soccer, Mona longs for the country she left behind, her street soccer matches, and the encouragement of her beloved aunt. When a teacher spots her talent and persuades her to join the school soccer team, Mona faces new challenges as she navigates clashes with her teammates, each grappling with their own struggles. To claim the school’s first-ever city-wide championship, Mona and her team must overcome obstacles on and off the field, discovering the true meaning of teamwork along the way. Age 10+

January 19, 2025

10:30 AM : Tiddler

Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso, Game of Thrones) narrates the newest adaptation of a Julia Donaldson (The Gruffalo) picture book featuring a heartwarming story of a little fish with a big imagination who gets lost in the deep wide ocean until he’s saved by his own storytelling. Age 3-8

10:30 AM : The Snail And The Whale

The late Dame Diana Rigg, Oscar-winner Sally Hawkins, and comedian Rob Brydon voice the characters in this charming story about a tiny snail goes on an amazing journey by hitching a ride on the tail of a huge humpback whale. Age 3-8

11:00 AM : Learn to Draw Minions & Hotel Transylvania Characters with Expert Animator David Feiss

Unleash your child's creativity in this exciting workshop with this year's Artist-in-Residence David Feiss! Known for his work as a story artist on the Minions and Hotel Transylvania films, David brings his expertise from a legendary career in animation. Learn how to draw your favorite characters, discover behind-the-scenes secrets of blockbuster films, and get tips from one of the industry's top animators and directors. Perfect for kids who love to draw and dream of animation! Age 5+ Cost: $20, includes all materials and supplies. Class limited to 20 attendees.

11:45 AM : Robin And The Hoods

Calling all fans of knights, fantasy, and the environment! “The Hoods,” a group of neighborhood kids lead by spirited and tenacious 11 year-old Robin, rule over a patch of woods they call the Kingdom, where they dive into imaginative fantasy games. The film visually toggles between the kids’ vivid perspective—complete with real armored knights, magical battles, and thunderbolts—with the reality of cardboard armor and toy arrows. While facing off against a rival gang determined to claim their domain, they must also contend with a ruthless property developer who plans to turn their beloved play area into a concrete leisure facility. Inspired by the Robin Hood legend, Robin and her friends band together to save their cherished “Kingdom.” Age 8+

1:45 PM : Hitpig!

Based on an original idea by Berkeley Breathed and inspired by his 2008 children’s book Pete & Pickles! A star-studded cast—including Jason Sudeikis, Lilly Singh, Rainn Wilson, RuPaul, and Hannah Gadsby—voice the characters in this hilarious story about a pig turned “hitpig,” capturing pets that have escaped their owners. Hijinks ensue when he must capture his biggest bounty yet: Pickles the Elephant. Age 5-12+

4:00 PM : Tartini's Key

In the picturesque seaside town of Piran, Slovenia, three children embark on an exhilarating treasure hunt tied to the medieval town's mysteries, which will uncover a collection of letters exchanged between the legendary violinist Tartini and iconic violin maker Stradivarius. Their journey is filled with clever puzzles and daring escapes as they race to outwit two bumbling, comical art thieves determined to sell the priceless find on the black market. Age 10+

January 20, 2025

10:30 AM : Toopy And Binou

When a comical genie accidentally makes Toopy and Binoo’s beloved stuffed animal Patchy-Patch disappear, the three of them set out for the land of “Lost and Found.” Along the way, the little group meets twin seagulls looking for their father and a magnificent princess who has lost her dance partner. Given Toopy’s overconfidence and goofiness, they fall into a lot of misadventures along the way! Based on the 1996 children’s book series Toupy and Binoo by Dominique Jolin. Age 3-8

12:15 PM : Teca & Tuti: A Night In The Library

This enchanting film celebrates the magic of reading through a captivating blend of live-action film and stop-motion and traditional animation. The tiny clothes moth Teca lives with her family and pet dust mite in a sewing box. What they love most is to eat paper, but when Teca learns to read, she notices that books cannot be eaten; after all, they keep stories that she loves. Committed to solving a great mystery, Teca and Tuti part towards the library, searching for the most important story of their life. Age 5-12+

1:45 PM : The Flying Classroom

Martine receives a scholarship to attend a boarding school in the picturesque mountains of Germany. Her excitement about the opportunity turns to dismay when she gets involved in the long-standing feud between the “day pupils” and the “boarders”. Based on the 1933 novel of the same name. Age 8+

3:30 PM : Lars Is Lol

Based on the best-selling Norwegian book by Iben Akerlie, this poignant story follows eleven-year-old Amanda, who is assigned to mentor a new student, Lars, who has Down Syndrome. Despite her initial hesitation, Amanda and Lars form a deep and unexpected friendship based on their shared love of magic and playful names inspired by the Harry Potter books. Amanda struggles to keep their connection a secret to fit in with her classmates, however. When peer pressure leads her to betray Lars, Amanda must find the courage to stand up for what is right and reclaim both his trust and her sense of self. Age 10+

January 26, 2025

12:15 PM : Sauvages

Set in Borneo on the edge of a tropical forest, Oscar-winning director Claude Barras’s (My Life as a Zucchini) latest stop-motion animated film follows Kéria, a young girl who receives a baby orangutan rescued from the oil palm plantation where her father works. At the same time, her cousin Selaï arrives to live with them, seeking refuge from the conflict between his nomadic family and the logging companies. Together, the three will work to protect their ancestral forest, now under greater threat than ever. For Kéria, it will also lead her to uncover the truth about her own origins. Age 5-12+

2:00 PM : Curious Tobi And The Treasure Hunt To The Flying Rivers

Part mystery, part travel documentary, follow Tobi as he sets off on a scavenger hunt around the world to Vietnam, Mongolia, and the Amazon rain forest, connecting the dots amongst the clues left by a former caretaker in a mysterious treasure chest to find the mysterious flying rivers. Age 8+

3:45 PM : Block 5

Twelve-year-old Alma is determined to honor her late mother’s legacy by fighting to protect the environment and preserve nature. When the kids in her neighborhood start bullying her, Alma faces a new challenge: can she convince the skateboarding crew to put aside their differences and join her cause to save their playground? Set to an energetic soundtrack, the film is a heartfelt story of kids discovering the power of standing up for their values. Age 10+

Date : January 18 – 26, 2025

Time :

January 18, 2025 at 10:30am

January 19, 2025 at 10:30am

January 20, 2025 at 10:30am

January 26, 2025 at 12:15pm

Location :

West Newton Cinema 1296 Washington St, West Newton, MA 02465

Regent Theatre 7 Medford St, Arlington, MA 02474

The Brattle Theatre 40 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138

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