Bring the whole family together for some cinema magic at CIFF. From the mischievous fun of The Cat in the Hat and the adventures of The Mystery Package and our Family Gala: Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, to the gorgeous vibrancy of our Animation Gala: Julián and our Family Friendly Shorts, your little ones can make lasting memories with big-screen stories, unforgettable characters and plenty of imagination.
SPECIAL SCREENING: THE CAT IN THE HAT
Erica Rivinoja, Alessandro Carloni | United States | 2026 | 91 minsction
SAT 21 | ARC CINEMA | 14:30
SAT 21 | ARC CINEMA | 14:45 (RELAXED SCREENING)
Meet the Cat in the Hat you don’t know! In the wonderfully whimsical tradition of Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat comes to the big screen in his animated theatrical feature film debut, an all-new, epic adventure with an edge, where mischief, magic and mayhem reign supreme.
Doing what he does best, the Cat — voiced by Bill Hader — spreads joy to kids in his hilarious, signature and singularly irreverent way, transporting them and audiences on a fantastical journey through a world they’ve never seen before.
In the film, our hero takes on his toughest assignment yet for the I.I.I.I. (Institute for the Institution of Imagination and Inspiration, LLC): to cheer Gabby and Sebastian, a pair of siblings struggling with their move to a new town. Known for taking things too far, this could be this agent of chaos’s last chance to prove himself…or lose his magical hat!
Starring alongside Hader are: Matt Berry, Quinta Brunson, Xochitl Gomez, with Giancarlo Esposito, and America Ferrera. Tituss Burgess, Bowen Yang, Paula Pell and Tiago Martinez also star.
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Animation
The 14:45 showing will be a Relaxed Screening for young people with sensory sensitivities.
For information on accessibility and sensory-friendly Family & Young People’s screenings, see: corkfilmfest.org/access
FAMILY GALA: HOMEWARD BOUND: THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY
Duwayne Dunham | United States | 1993 | 84 mins | Fiction
SAT 21 | 11:30 | EVERYMAN
(DOG-FRIENDLY SCREENING)
When three beloved pets find themselves left behind while their family goes on holiday, they set off on an unforgettable adventure to find their way home. This heartwarming 1993 adaptation of Disney’s classic Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey features the voices of Michael J. Fox, Sally Field and Don Ameche in a delightful tale of friendship, loyalty and adventure for all ages.
Bring your best friend along – CIFF’s dog-friendly Family Gala returns to The Everyman, where you and your well-behaved pup can enjoy this much-loved adventure together.
Please note that dogs are not permitted in the Everyman Theatre’s balcony.
This is a Relaxed Screening for young people with sensory sensitivities and their families.
The Family Gala is supported by
ANIMATION GALA: JULIÁN
Louise Bagnall | Ireland, Canada, Luxembourg, Denmark | 2025 | 90 mins | Fiction
SUN 22 | MTU CORK SCHOOL OF MUSIC | 14:00
When wide-eyed Julián spends the summer with a grandmother he barely knows, he discovers a world full of wonder, from his Caribbean heritage to the vibrant Brooklyn community around him. But his biggest surprise is yet to come: Julián discovers that he is, in fact, a mermaid!
From Academy Award®-nominated director Louise Bagnall and Cartoon Saloon, this joyful, colourful film is inspired by Jessica Love’s acclaimed children’s book Julián Is a Mermaid, celebrating identity, imagination and self-expression.
POST-SCREENING FUN!
Come dressed in your most colourful clothes and stay after the screening for more fun with Julián’s director Louise Bagnall.
THE MYSTERY PACKAGE
Silje Evensmo Jacobsen | Norway, Denmark | 2026 | 80 mins | Live Narration in English | Subtitled | Documentary
SAT 14 | ARC CINEMA | 14:30
Recommended Age: 8+
For 22 years, a mysterious Christmas package has arrived at a Norwegian family’s home, always bearing gifts and the same enigmatic message. Now, young detectives Edle and Brage set out to discover who sends it.
This screening includes a special presentation of a short film created by our Junior Filmmaking Workshop participants, aged 8-12 y.o., at this year’s Festival! With live narration in English by actor and CIFF Family Ambassador, Hilary Rose, this immersive cinema experience will be one to remember!
This is a Relaxed Screening for young people with sensory sensitivities and their families.
YOUR OWN MYSTERY PACKAGE
We are delighted to be partnering with The Good Shepherd Cork for this screening and supporting the important work they do with families in our community.
If you would like to bring along a mystery package to donate to families supported by The Good Shepherd, simply wrap your package and drop it in our charity box when you come to the screening.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY SHORTS
A selection of animated films, and one live action short. Featuring adventurous mice, slovenly rats, curious foxes and an important message you must see to bee-lieve!
Follow this link for the full list of shorts: corkfilmfest.org/events/family-friendly-shorts
Recommended Age: 4+
PICCOLO PICCOLO – Marta Gennari
One day, a tiny little mouse wants to take its mind off its little worries so, it decides to climb a very high mountain.
ON THE MAT OUTSIDE MY DOOR (VOR MEINER TÜR AUF EINER MATTE) – Antje Heyn
An oversized, cheeky rat has moved in with our protagonist…
SPIRIT OF THE RAIN (SPIORAD NA BÁISTÍ) – Samira Sikder
Spiorad na Báistí’ (Spirit of the Rain) follows the story of Síofra, a young girl who isn’t very fond of the rain until an unexpected journey pulls her to go and explore it.
CITY IN THE FOX – Mikael Lindskov Jacobsen
A curious fox discovers a children’s book about planet Earth and becomes fascinated by the human world of knowledge.
FIRE IN MY POCKET (LÁNGBOGÁR A ZSEBEMBEN) – Janka Feiner
A little boy, bored with building a bed, seeks something more exciting.
ANAGLYPH – Valle Comba
Violet lives in a red, anxious world. She can’t take it anymore, eaten away by so many little things.
PAINT-OFF – Katrina Martinsone
Short film about artist conflict between a Young and Spontaneous Graffiti girl and an Old-School Traditional Paint guy.
CINEMA RIALTO – Antony Petrou
A lyrical animated short about childhood imagination, generational legacy, and the fragile line between memory, myth, and forgetting.
MEADOW MAGIC – Aoibheann McCann
A group of 7-10 year olds interrupt your daily life with a hugely important news bulletin – we must save our pollinators to save ourselves.
This is a Relaxed Screening, meaning that it is appropriate for young people with sensory sensitivities and their families.
WIN FAMILY TICKETS TO THE 71ST FESTIVAL
Survey participants can enter a prize draw for a chance to win tickets for your family to attend one of our exciting family events at the upcoming 71st Cork International Film Festival. Prizes on offer include family passes to attend our Animation Gala: Julián, our dog-friendly Family Gala: Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, and the new animated feature The Cat in the Hat (courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Animation).
Scan the QR code or click the button below. Winners will be announced next week.
