The Cork International Film Festival Family Programme lit up the online Big Screen with a fun packed programme of the latest and best of Irish and international film for young viewers. View the 2020 Family Programme titles below.
Family Gala: Wolfwalkers
Tomm Moore & Ross Stewart / Ireland, Luxembourg, USA / 2020 / 103 mins
Young Robyn accompanies her father, the hunter, to Ireland, where he arrives with one special task, to wipe out the last big wolf pack that is scaring the good citizens of Kilkenny. While exploring the forbidden forest outside the city walls, Robyn befriends a girl, the free-spirited Mebh, who declares she can transform herself into a wolf. As people no longer believe in the magic and existence of wolfwalkers, Robyn is faced with the hard task of convincing her father to help the wolves find a safe place where they can live, instead of killing them.
A new Irish delight by the creators of The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea. Be fierce, be wild, be free and join the pack!
Fahim, The Little Chess Prince
Pierre-François Martin-Laval / France / 2019 / 107 mins
Subtitled / Comedy-Drama / Age Recommendation: 9+
Eight-year-old Fahim arrives in Paris from Bangladesh with his father. Fahim is a promising chess player and his talent is immediately recognised by one of the top French coaches, Sylvain Charpentier (Gérard Depardieu). But while Charpentier prepares Fahim for the junior French championship, Fahim’s father struggles in vain to obtain legal immigrant status. This heartfelt drama is based on the true story of the French-Bangladeshi chess player and, since 2017, FIDE master Fahim Mohammad. AK
Presented in association with the French Embassy in Ireland
My Brother Chases Dinosaurs
Stefano Cipani / Italy, Spain / 2019 / 102 mins / Subtitled
When his ‘special’ brother is born, four-year-old Jack thinks ‘special’ means ‘superhero’. Gradually he learns that ‘special’ means that Gio has Down Syndrome and as Jack gets older he begins to worry what other people will think of Gio… Adapted from Giacomo Mazzariol’s best-selling memoir, this joyful and touching ode to imperfections and difference is a light-hearted coming-of-age tale, told with great delicacy, balance and humour – a film you’ll feel better for seeing! FC
Winner: European Film Academy Young Audience Award
H is for Happiness
John Sheedy / Australia / 2019 / 103 mins
Adapted from the best-selling Young Adult novel My Life As An Alphabet, H is for Happiness
tells the story of Candice McPhee, a quirky twelve-year-old attempting to bring her family
back together in the wake of a tragedy. Although dealing with difficult subject matter, the
film is optimistic, entertaining and full of whimsy, portraying the special type of empathy
that can only be experienced by a child, and depicting grief in a manner that is honest,
engaging and often very funny. RG
Family Friendly Shorts
82 mins | Suitable for age 5+
ARCHIE’S BAT
Shannon Egan | Ireland | 2019 | 3 mins
A young boy makes an unlikely bond with an injured bat.
THE PRIEST’S LEAP
Polly Holland | Ireland | 2019 | 2 mins
Two grannies tell their grandchild a local legend. But they
can’t agree on the details…
METHOD
Polly Holland | Ireland | 2020 | 6 mins | Subtitled
All Square Boi wants is his cuppa and he’s willing to face
insanity for it.
THE RECKOLAHESPERUS
Mary Smyth | Ireland | 2020 | 3 mins
Sam’s misunderstanding of what his mother says leads him
to have quite an unexpected adventure!
FISHERMAN
Narae Kim, Lewis Barfoot | Ireland, South Korea | 2020 | 5 mins
‘Fisherman’ follows the story of a young girl’s journey to
reconnect with her ancestral heritage.
THE PEAK
Satoshi Takahashi | Japan | 2020 | 5 mins
An adventure story familiar to all of us: overcoming your fear
of the dark when nature calls! Producer: Haruhiro Uchida
RAWR
Sorcha McGlinchey | UK, Ireland | 2020 | 3 mins
Clíodhna is excited to see her favourite dinosaur movie in the
cinema, but then lockdown happens… Producer: Lisa Di Lucia
MELTING HEART CAKE
Benoît Chieux | France | 2019 | 11 mins
To share a cake with her friend, Anna must cross a glacial forest inhabited by a terrifying giant. Producer: Ron Dyens
OEIL POUR OEIL
Thomas Boileau, Alan Guimont, Robin Courtoise,
Mathieu Lecroq, Malcolm Hunt, François Briantais | France | 2020 | 6 mins
A one-eyed pirate captain is determined to find treasure, no
matter what!
MISHOU
Milen Vitanov | Germany, Bulgaria | 2020 | 8 mins
The lives of four lively Arctic hares take a turn after
discovering a strange new creature. Producers: Milen Vitanov, Mina Mileva, Vesela Kazakova
REHAK
Pierre B | UK, France | 2020 | 7 mins
A young girl discovers Rehak, a magical drawing hidden
behind her bedroom wall. Producer: Antoine Garnier
BLUE
Megan Devaney | Ireland | 2020 | 8 mins
Feelings can be hard for a six-year-old to understand; luckily
Katie has friends to help her out. Producer: Finbarr Crotty
TINA TIMES TWO
Bonnie Dempsey | Ireland | 2020 | 15 mins
A lonely girl’s wish comes true when she gains a magical
friend: an exact double of herself! Producers: Una Shinners, David O’Sullivan, Bonnie Dempsey
Where no producer is credited, director is also producer.
If you would like to help support Cork International Film Festival’s activities, including our education and outreach programmes for young people, you can donate here. Thank you.
