Children’s Film Festival Seattle, the largest festival on the West Coast dedicated to children’s films, features over 190 film screenings from over 50 countries every year. Reaching thousands of youth, families, and patrons every year through both on-site, online, and national touring programs the festival is celebrated by press, parents, and educators as an inclusive, expansive, and worldly experience that promotes empathy and celebrates humanity.
The 18th Annual Children’s Film Festival Seattle comes to Northwest Film Forum (1515 12th Ave, Seattle) and streams virtually from February 3–12, 2023! Family passes & tickets are available.
Step into a world of fantasy and fairytale at the 2023 Children’s Film Festival Seattle! Expect fantastical films, wondrous workshops, and spectacular special events. Since 2005, CFFS has provided a joyous and dynamic setting to celebrate the best and brightest in international film programs for children and families!
CFFS 2023 is presented as a hybrid, in-person-and-online festival, accessible to youth, families, and film lovers of any age across the country. Festival passes for each comfort/access level – in-person-only, virtual-only, and hybrid – are on sale now!
See below for a preview of some of the special events, shorts, and feature films that will be happening throughout the festival! For a full list of events and screenings, visit the website below.
Shorts:
Warm and Fuzzy (Ages 2+) – Follow along as these critters and kids embark on adventures of friendship, family, and learning to be yourself. This colorful collection of animated films will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy! – Feb. 4 at noon & Feb. 11 at 12:30pm
Literal Sunshine (Ages 8+) – Kids can do anything! In this block, watch kids innocently and mischievously sell rocks, brilliantly code, navigate disabilities and so much more, all with a beaming happiness that lights up the world around them. – Feb. 4 at 12:30pm
Dream Black (Ages 10+) – Get swept away by the emotions, adventures, and vibrant dreams of the young Black protagonists in this collection of shorts. – Feb. 4 at 2pm
Growing Pains (Ages 10+) – These thought-provoking, moving, and funny shorts show kids growing up, learning about the world, and having to confront some of life’s challenges for the first time. – Feb. 4 at 2:30pm & Feb. 12 at 4:30pm
The Colors of Community (Ages 10+) – These films celebrate diverse expressions of gender and sexuality and how they can be discovered within and affirmed by strong relationships with family, friends, and communities. – Feb. 4 at 4pm
With a Little Help From My Friends (Ages 6+) – These shorts celebrate friendship in all its forms, spanning ages, species, and circumstances. Friends help you find wonder, overcome challenges, and show you that you’re not alone in the world. – Feb. 4 at 4:30pm & Feb. 12 at noon
Hopeful Harmonies (Ages 8+) – From helpful robots to violin-playing beetles, this collection of shorts will take you on a musical journey that will leave your foot tapping and heart full. – Feb. 5 at noon & Feb. 11 at 2pm
Living Fantasy (Ages 8+) – Embrace the power of imagination in these films about kids who travel to other worlds, befriend mythical woodland creatures, and test out their own magic powers. With dazzling visuals, these films inject a hint of whimsy into everyday life. – Feb. 5 & 12 at 2pm
Hi, I'm Home! (Ages 10+) – From boring grannies to griefing brothers, these shorts welcome you in a fuzzy embrace of affection and familial love. – Feb. 5 at 2:30pm
Películas de Español (Ages 12+) – This eclectic collection of Spanish language films takes you through life’s ups and downs, adventures big and small! Meet characters like orphan stars, mischievous musicians, and animal companions. – Feb. 5 at 4pm
Everyday Magic (Ages 8+) – These films celebrate how imagination and creativity energize our everyday world, with an emphasis on the tools and inspirations that help create and animate imaginary worlds. – Feb. 5 at 4:30pm & Feb. 12 at 2:30pm
Figuring It Out (Ages 14+) – From the light-hearted to the hard-hitting, these films explore the ups and downs of teenage life. Teens grapple with stress, mental health, and balancing expectations in these relatable, often quirky films. – Feb. 10 at 7pm
Folklore for a Future (Ages 8+) –This block highlights folklore from cultures around the world, and centers storytelling to emphasize how shared creation stories, heritage, and tradition carry through into the lives we live today and bring us into community. – Feb. 11 at noon
Petites et Grandes Aventures (Ages 8+) –Follow along with adventures big and small in this collection of French language films! Meet giant robots, friendly camels, a girl learning to sail, and even a mythical creature trying to track down a human. – Feb. 11 at 2:30pm
Against the Odds (Ages 10+) –Come along for an entertaining ride as kids go on adventures, solve mysteries, and pursue their goals, all while making unexpected friends along the way. – Feb. 11 at 4pm
The Young Rebels (Ages 8+) –Why should big-name film directors get all the credit for exploring what a film can do? These young filmmakers throw the rulebook out the window and prove that if you have an idea and a camera, you too can create an entirely unique work of art. – Feb. 11 at 4:30pm
It's Up to Us! (Ages 8+) –Parents used to teach their children about climate change; now, children are teaching their parents. These short films demonstrate the ways in which today’s youth have quite literally taken matters into their own hands to ensure a cleaner, healthier environment for future generations. – Feb. 12 at 12:30pm
Feature Films:
Journey to Yourland (Tvojazem) – Riki, a 10-year-old boy, runs away from home, following a mysterious emergency signal sent by a shiny stone. It takes Riki to the breathtaking parallel world of “Yourland” where science peacefully coexists with nature. The shining stone merges with Riki by hiding in his heart. It seems everybody in Yourland is eager to procure this treasure, as it is the core of Yourland’s power and owning it gives a great deal of influence. Who should Riki share his secret with? His new cheeky friend, Emma? Metal Man, the mighty robot? Tidling, a monkey general? We accompany Riki on his adventurous journey full of perils, traps and humor, to learn where the stone belongs and return it there. – Feb. 4 at 6pm
Far Away from Home (Lejos de Casa) (Ages 12+) – West Coast premiere! CW: Smoking, Discussion of Restricted Substances, Separation/Loss, Gangs, Sexual Situations, Fatality. A group of children from Latin America wait in shelters in Tijuana for the resolution of their asylum request in the United States. – Feb. 5 at 6pm
Singo (Ages 10+) – Fishermen in a small fishing community catch a few horseshoe crabs and bring them to their island. A young girl, Shafa, wants to save the crabs from being killed for their blood, which is extremely valuable. When she steals the crabs to liberate them, she makes her family the target of the community’s anger. The islanders want to expel them, and now the principled Shafa must choose between the welfare of her family or the lives of the crabs. – Feb. 11 at 6pm
Closing Night: The Magic Flute (Ages 10+) – Aspiring singer Tim has been dreaming his whole life about attending Mozart All Boys Boarding School. He is ecstatic when he is finally admitted, but his first days at the prestigious school do not turn out as expected. But while he faces a hostile headmaster, the stresses of first love, and struggling with the authenticity of his singing voice, Tim uncovers a wondrous secret in the old school building – a gateway to a parallel world.
He finds himself thrown into a new reality: in the role of Prince Tamino, he becomes immersed in the world of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, an opera where fantasy has no limits. Now, Tim lives a double life, trying to win a prominent role in the school’s upcoming recital by day and returning to a magical universe by night where he must risk his life to free the lovely princess Pamina.
Pulled in two directions takes its toll, and Tim risks letting down those he loves. He’s forced to make a decision – but has he learned enough to make the right choice? – Feb. 12, Festival awards ceremony at 5:45pm, Screening at 6pm
Special Events:
Kids Quest with Majestic Adventures: Fantasy Camp Showcase (All Ages) [In-Person Only] – Quest leaders from locally based children’s camp Majestic Adventures will select 5 volunteers to quest in a live action fantasy adventure that plays out on stage right before the audience. The children will become the heroes of an incredibly fun and dynamic quest, working together in a mythical and magical world to overcome interesting challenges, solve mystifying riddles, brainstorm unique solutions to puzzling dilemmas, and swashbuckle with foes. There will be plenty of opportunities for audience participation, so bring your adventurous spirit and prepare for fun! All ages welcome! This activity is offered on a sliding scale, from $0–50; pay what you can to support the Forum. – February 12th, 2023 - 3–4pm
Closing Night: The Magic Flute (Ages 10+) [In-Person Only] – Washington premiere! Aspiring singer Tim has been dreaming his whole life about attending Mozart All Boys Boarding School. He is ecstatic when he is finally admitted, but his first days at the prestigious school do not turn out as expected. But while he faces a hostile headmaster, the stresses of first love, and struggling with the authenticity of his singing voice, Tim uncovers a wondrous secret in the old school building – a gateway to a parallel world.
He finds himself thrown into a new reality: in the role of Prince Tamino, he becomes immersed in the world of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, an opera where fantasy has no limits. Now, Tim lives a double life, trying to win a prominent role in the school’s upcoming recital by day and returning to a magical universe by night where he must risk his life to free the lovely princess Pamina.
Pulled in two directions takes its toll, and Tim risks letting down those he loves. He’s forced to make a decision – but has he learned enough to make the right choice? – Feb. 12, Festival awards ceremony at 5:45pm, Screening at 6pm
