Photo:
Still from the short film “Two Balloons” (Mark C. Smith, 2017), included in Tacoma's Destiny City Film Festival in 2020
Movie-loving families, you're in luck! Tacoma's Destiny City Film Festival takes place this weekend. Bring your crew to see a whole new world of movies, and take inspiration from the works of innovative independent filmmakers. There is plenty at this fest to love with kids. Destiny City Film Festival founder and executive director, Emily Nakada-Alm, shared with us five awesome festival events that particularly suit families.
Here are Emily's best bets for families at the Destiny City Film Festival, taking place Feb. 28–March 1, 2020:
1. Clear your calendar for Saturday morning's free family shorts program. It's at the Blue Mouse Theatre, Saturday, Feb. 29, at 11 a.m. (Show up early to snag a seat!) Film shorts include "Two Balloons," the story of two lemurs and their dirigibles, and "Tree #3," the story of a boy's background role in the school play. Run time is less than one hour.
2. Take your movie buffs, storytellers and aspiring filmmakers to the festival's Women in Film Panel to meet women working in the movie industry in Seattle and L.A. The panel takes place at the Blue Mouse Theatre on Saturday, Feb. 29, at 2:15 p.m. It's free to attend
3. The documentary feature "Taming Wild: Pura Vida," follows the story of two horses in Costa Rica who are rescued from a life of pain and hardship. Tweens, teens and animal lovers of all ages will be drawn into their journey. This screening takes place Sunday, March 1, at noon, at the Blue Mouse Theatre. Director Elsa Sinclair will attend.
4. Documentary film short "Conduit: The Art of Science Communication," screens alongside "Taming Wild: Pura Vida." This film highlights a local environmental issue and how art and science can unite with the goal of raising awareness of climate change and its effects. Youth with an interest in climate issues will appreciate this story. Director Sarah Smith will attend. Admission for the two films is $9 for adults; all students with I.D. get in free (see below).
5. How cool is this? Students get in free to all festival films, with student I.D. See the full schedule of films at the festival site. Not all films will suit families, but the information provided on each film will help you decide.
And if your family is digging the departure from Disney, head north to the Children's Film Festival Seattle, screening awesome features and shorts programs for kids from around the globe, Feb. 27–March 8.