The Phoenix Film Festival is proud to present this family friendly programming courtesy of the New York International Children’s Film Festival. NYICFF’s mission is to bring thought-provoking films from around the world to family audiences. These programs come from filmmakers around the world and are made with many different styles of filmmaking and animation, as well as subject matter for fictional to nonfiction documentaries.
Hola Cine!
Recommended for ages 8+
Run Time: 75 minutes
Screening Time:
Saturday, April 11 at 9:05am
Reni’s Worlds
Directed by: Claudia Ruiz
Synopsis: On the first day of school, Renato finds a book about origami, a friend, and one big adventure.
Go My Way
Directed by: Chelo Loureiro
Synopsis: All the advice Elisa receives to make Martin fall in love with her is to change not only her appearance, but also who she really is.
América
Directed by: Javier Arias-Stella
Synopsis: América, a 10-year-old girl from a remote Andean village, dreams of buying a bicycle so she’ll never be late to class again.
The Strange Case of the Human Cannonball
Directed by: Roberto Valencia
Synopsis: One morning, a mysterious man is found lying in the village square. No one knows who he is, nor where he came from.
The Interpreter
Directed by: Dahiana Candelo
Synopsis: Nine-year-old Tatiana is fine with her role as an interpreter for Mami. She can even use it to her advantage….
Nube
Directed by: Diego Alonso Sánchez de la Barquera Estrada & Christian Arredondo Narvaez
Synopsis: A puffy white cloud realizes that her daughter, a dark stormy cloud, is in danger of raining prematurely.
Nana Carmen
Directed by: Kaila Gutierrez
Synopsis: Nana Carmen is babysitting Elena for the day. She’s mischievous, missing a tooth, and only speaks Spanish.
Girls’ POV
Recommended for ages 10+
Run Time: 75 minutes
Screening Time:
Saturday, April 11 at 1:15pm
Not The Science Type: Gitanjal
Directed by: Julio Palacio
Synopsis: Gitanjali Rao was named TIME Magazine’s Kid of the Year in 2020 and, at just 16 years old, she’s already an accomplished scientist on a mission to create a global community of young innovators to solve problems all over the world.
Sea Dragon
Directed by: James Morgan
Synopsis: A young fossil hunter makes a groundbreaking discovery, challenging the worldview of 19th century England.
Balam
Directed by: Guillermo Casarin
Synopsis: Itzel, on a camping trip deep in the jungle, frees a jaguar from captivity. When a furious poacher gives chase, she stumbles upon a mysterious lost Mayan city.
7 Planets
Directed by: Milda Baginskaite
Synopsis: A space-obsessed girl realizes that in cosmic matters, it’s all about the long game.
Knights In Newark
Directed by: Nic Yulo
Synopsis: Armed with her vivid imagination, a young girl engineers a secret project on the roof of her apartment building to protect her immigrant family from the dreaded curse of the Knights in Newark.
Horizon
Directed by: Nic Yulo
Synopsis: To realize her dream of launching into uncharted space, a determined astronaut must choose to leave her humanity behind.
Generation Impact: The Coder
Directed by: Samantha Knowles
Synopsis: Jay Jay Patton was only 13 when she designed and built an app to help kids connect with their incarcerated parents, inspired by her own experience. Now she is creating a coding academy to help other kids do the same.
Little Kid Flicks
Recommended for ages 5+
Run Time: 60 minutes
Screening Time:
Sunday, April 12 at 9:05am
Hadu
Directed by: Damilola Solesi
Synopsis: An eager young girl embarks on a culinary journey to recreate her grandma’s special recipe.
Mojappi It’s Mine
Directed by: Nijitaro
Synopsis: Mojappi, a trio of naughty kids who live in the forest, will do anything to get those pancakes.
Splish, Splash, Splosh!
Directed by: Lily Ward
Synopsis: Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass—it’s about learning to dance in the rain!
Dancing in the Rain
Directed by: Chao-chun Yeh
Synopsis: As the rain starts and a little girl falls asleep, her dream adventure begins.
Ronny: A Crocumentary
Directed by: Abbey Collings
Synopsis: A frog documents Ronny, a friendly crocodile who just wants a hug.
Capybaras
Directed by: Alfredo Soderguit
Synopsis: It’s hunting season. Seeking refuge, a family of capybaras and a group of hens form a union that leads to unexpected consequences.
The Girl with the Occupied Eyes
Directed by: André Carrilho
Synopsis: Over hill and dale (and beach, and space), only one thing can capture her attention.
Hello Summer
Directed by: Martin Smatana & Veronika Zacharová
Synopsis: Sea, sun, beaches. Sounds great. But what if your room has a naughty view, dinner is strange, and your luggage travels somewhere else without you?
Big Kid Flicks
Recommended for ages 8+
Run Time: 65 minutes
Screening Time:
Saturday, April 18 at 1:30pm
The Refusers
Directed by: Wiep Teeuwisse
Synopsis: A mattress laments. An old paper dances.
Tremolo
Directed by: Leonard Mink
Synopsis: A deaf boy and his father must find common language after a long time apart.
Swimming with Butterflies
Directed by: Karl Stetler
Synopsis: After missing bronze by 1/100th of a second at the 2016 Paralympic games, Austin-based swimmer Lizzi Smith shares what is bringing her back to the pool—and bringing hope to the next generation.
The Drifting Guitar
Directed by: Sophie Roze
Synopsis: A tie-selling weasel roams the countryside and decides to take a chance in the forest thanks to the unconditional help of a hedgehog.

