Grades 1-3 International Shorts
Elephants
Director: Sally Pearce
United Kingdom, 2008
13 min.
Kay Grey is a young girl growing up in an entirely grey house in a totally grey world with very very grey parents. But then her house gets infested with Elephants. They can't be seen against the grey walls, and crash around in the middle of the night, and leaving massive piles of dung in the loo. Kay's unloving parents make her paint the house with brilliant colours, so that they can see these pests. When Kay corners the elephants, they become friends and she decides to help them.
Awards: Nickel International Film Festival, St John's, Nfld. (Best Animation); Shanghai Film Festival (Most Creative Idea); BAFTA CYMRU (Best Short Film).
The Flax
Director: Joanna Jasinska Koronkiewicz
Poland, 2008
13 min.
A metaphorical story about flax, which was sown, then it grew, blossomed, and ripened. After that it was harvested and turned first into linen, next into paper, to be burnt in the end. A tale with a philosophical message of passing.
Awards: International Film Festival for Children and Youth, 2006 (Special Mentions of the Video Official Jury in Animation).
Rindin the Puffer
Directed by: Len Simon
USA, 2006
8 min.
RINDIN the Puffer is an odd-looking fish, with googly eyes and no chin. He has big buckteeth and a ridiculous grin. But what makes him most different and unique is that when he is frightened he expands like a prickly beach ball. This short adventure story inspires children to be creative, while helping them to recognize the value of tolerance and getting along. Bullying, disrespectful treatment, and separateness based on cliques, races, and even gangs have continued to plague schools. Rindin is an opportunity to entertain millions of kids of all ages, while helping them to see their peers in a positive new light.
Coyote and Tortoise
Director: Len Simon
USA, 2008
3 min.
Based on the classic fable that recounts the race between a wise tortoise and an arrogant coyote, Coyote and the Tortoise presents a tale of persistence and humility.
Awards: California International Animation Festival (Best Children's Animation).
The New Species
Director: Evalds Lacis
Latvia, 2008
10 min.
An entomologist finds a new species of bug in the meadow and would be glad to add it to his collection. But the bugs don't want to be museum objects - the two bug girls have to find a way to save their parents.
Awards: Cairo International Film Festival for Children (Special Mention From the International Jury).
Because You're Gorgeous
Director: Brent Dawes
South Africa, 2007
5 min.
Warthog takes pride in his lion-esque head of hair. He struts around boldly until one lock of hair mysteriously springs out of place. This simply will not do, but the stubborn hair refuses to fall back into place. Warthog does everything he can to regain his pristine looks; but the more he tries, the worse it gets.
The Plastic Perils of the Pacific
Directors: Brandon Strathmann and Carlene Strathmann
USA, 2009
4:03 min.
A short film that with humour tackles the dangers posed by plastic garbage in the open sea. A little crab finds his paradise under assault by the intrusion of a water bottle. He undertakes a fantastic journey through the beautiful realm of a coral reef meeting and helping other sea life along the way. The crab was designed by a four-year-old girl and has a charming children's book quality.
Awards: EarthVision Environmental Film Award for Oceans, Water Quality and Watersheds
I'm Here
Director: Peter H. Reynolds
USA, 2008
3 min.
This short film, based on an original story and art by Peter H. Reynolds and produced by FableVision, movingly conveys the loneliness a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder often experiences, and the life-changing effect each of us can have in breaking through that solitude.
Leon in Wintertime
Director: Pierre-Luc Granjon
Canada, 2007
27:12 min.
Wintertime is harsh in the land of King Balthasar, especially if you are Léon, an eight-year-old adopted bear suffering from an identity crisis. "My name's Léon and I'm not a bear!" he insists. After the distraught cub runs away from home, a mischievous storyteller, Bonifacio, sweet-talks him into performing on stage. Along with his good friends the Hedgehog and Hannibal the Elephant, Léon embarks on many adventures, stands up to an ogre, and saves Princess Molly Gingerbread from ending up in a pea stew. Pure, tender and as sweet as honey, this puppet animation is a delightful medieval tale.
Awards: Reel 2 Real Festival (Best Animation); Gemini Awards (Best Direction, Animated Program or Series); International Animation Festival (Best Short Animation for Children).
