MVFF47 - RSVP Guide

Who says that watching Saturday morning cartoons with the family ended with the 20th century? Not us! Join us for this fun frenzy of animated wonders for kids of all ages, presented in collaboration with the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival. Films include: Martha Grant’s Llamas at the Laundromat (Canada 2023, 2 min), a delightful musical starring dancing llamas in fashionable attire; Annastacia Henry-Ramos’ Lunar Power (US 2024, 3 min), in which video game nut Miguel has a cheeky chat with his older, wiser Cousin Amaya; Venus Jones’ Lil Red is Riding the Wrong Way in the Hood (US 2023, 8 min), a rap fairytale filled with valuable life lessons; Paperface’s Think Too Much (UK 2023, 4 min), a musical journey through a landscape of broccoli; Peter Gardner’s Adventures with the Caretaker (US 2022, 25 min), featuring Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and the Abominable Snowman; Alex Ross’ The Social Chameleon (US 2022, 9 min), an inspiring story about finding your true colors; and Guillermo Gomes’ The Crow and the Squirrel (US 2018, 4 min), a beautiful lesson in communication and compassion.

Age 7+

Expected In Person Guest

Thelma is a penguin who lives in the Land of Ice. She’s four years old and she’ll turn five in five days—or at least she hopes she will. Will her birthday ever come? And what if she’s not there when the Birthday arrives—will she be forever stuck at age four? But Thelma is an adventurer and a mischief-maker, too. With her parents distracted by their computer screens, she sneaks away to find her friends Wilhelm the flying cat and Sofija the dancing mouse in the Great Forest, far from home. She hopes to meet the Birthday in person, with her magical candles in hand. Director Reinis Kalnaellis’ stunning watercolor palette and captivating animation bring to life a universal story of self-acceptance, friendship, courage, and the true meaning of growing up in a film that won the prestigious Special Jury/Best Animation Award at Annecy. An ageless story, perfect for all ages.

Jesselyn, 16, has a mischievous smile and the world’s best dad. Like him, she’s hooked on boxing. Director Emily Sheskin follows Jess on her road to the Junior Olympics, and her battle with the one opponent she’s unprepared to fight.

Jesselyn Silva (self-named “JessZilla”) is a 16 year old with a mischievous megawatt smile and undeniably one of the world’s best dads, Pedro. Academically gifted and athletically oriented, she became hooked on boxing as a tot after making herself a fixture in her dad’s gym—not as a spectator, but as a passionate participant in the sport. From Jess’s first fights in the ring at age seven, director Emily Sheskin has followed the pint-sized pugilist on her journey toward winning the gold belt as a three-time national champion, with further triumphs on her way, ready to compete in the Junior Olympics. But Jesselyn’s challenges don’t stop there: As she enters her teenage years, the first opponent she’s totally unprepared for enters her life and her greatest fight begins. JessZilla is an inspiring story of endurance, faith, and the love between a father and an extraordinary daughter: A knockout!

Age 10+

Jesselyn Silva (autodenominada “JessZilla”) tiene 16 años y una sonrisa electrizante, y sin lugar a dudas uno de los mejores papás del mundo, Pedro. Dotada académica y atléticamente, se enganchó al boxeo cuando era niña, después de convertirse en una habitual del gimnasio de su padre, no como espectadora, sino como apasionada participante del deporte. Desde las primeras peleas de Jess en el ring a los siete años, la cineasta Emily Sheskin ha seguido a la diminuta pugilista en su trayectoria hasta ganar el cinturón de oro como tres veces campeona nacional. Con más triunfos por venir, está lista para competir en los Juegos Olímpicos de la Juventud. Pero los desafíos de Jesselyn no terminan ahí: al empezar su adolescencia, el primer oponente para el que no está para nada preparada entra en su vida y su mayor pelea comienza. JessZilla es una historia inspiradora de resistencia, fe y amor entre un padre y una hija extraordinaria: ¡Sensacional!

Melody, 12, is obsessed with Rachel from Friends and worried about fitting in at school. Living with cerebral palsy, she faces extra challenges when moved from special ed into an “inclusive learning environment”. Based on Sharon Draper’s best-selling YA novel.

Twelve-year-old Melody Brooks is a typical early-21st-century tween, obsessed with Rachel from Friends, unhappy with the uncool clothes her mom buys for her, and worried about fitting in at school. As a nonverbal sixth grader living with cerebral palsy, she’s got extra challenges to contend with, especially when she’s moved from the special ed classroom into an inclusive learning environment that feels far from inclusive, given her teacher’s refusal to welcome her and the disdain of fellow students. But when given an assistive communication device, Melody quickly learns to use her new-found voice to prevail over the forces holding her back. Based on Sharon M. Draper’s YA bestseller and starring the amazing Phoebe-Ray Taylor as Melody, with Judith Light, Rosemarie DeWitt, Luke Kirby, and Jennifer Aniston (as Melody’s inner voice), director Amber Sealey’s (No Man of God) drama delivers a tale of determination, pride, and self-empowerment like no other.

Age 12+



Expected In Person Guest

Who says that watching Saturday morning cartoons with the family ended with the 20th century? Not us! Join us for this fun frenzy of animated wonders for kids of all ages, presented in collaboration with the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival. Films include: Martha Grant’s Llamas at the Laundromat (Canada 2023, 2 min), a delightful musical starring dancing llamas in fashionable attire; Annastacia Henry-Ramos’ Lunar Power (US 2024, 3 min), in which video game nut Miguel has a cheeky chat with his older, wiser Cousin Amaya; Venus Jones’ Lil Red is Riding the Wrong Way in the Hood (US 2023, 8 min), a rap fairytale filled with valuable life lessons; Paperface’s Think Too Much (UK 2023, 4 min), a musical journey through a landscape of broccoli; Peter Gardner’s Adventures with the Caretaker (US 2022, 25 min), featuring Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and the Abominable Snowman; Alex Ross’ The Social Chameleon (US 2022, 9 min), an inspiring story about finding your true colors; and Guillermo Gomes’ The Crow and the Squirrel (US 2018, 4 min), a beautiful lesson in communication and compassion.

Age 7+

Expected In Person Guest

Ten-year-old Percy Boy Collins is one of the fastest runners in school, but he never fails to arrive late for class. A smart-talking Aboriginal child in a white-dominated environment, Percy Boy has few allies until he befriends Keithy Cobb, the new kid at school. The schoolmates join forces to fend off the fifth-grade bullies known as the Wolf Pack. Joining them is little Daisy Hawkins, the fiercest and scariest third grader around. The three share a common goal: for Percy Boy to defeat the Wolf Pack in the running competition at the school carnival. But while he trains for the race, Percy Boy also begins to see visions from the afterworld, including those who perished in the bushfire that claimed the lives of his parents. Indigenous Australian director Tanith Glynn-Maloney’s first feature is an inspirational celebration of the bonds that tie us to our family, our friends, and our heritage.

“The ups and downs are worth it. Long way to go, but we’re workin’.” This year’s collection of peer-reviewed, youth-produced short films showcases storytellers who are redefining humor in comedies, personal stories in documentaries, and murder in thrillers. It’s an inspiring display of emerging young talent: Practical Rabbit Hunting Strategies for the Modern Man (Rishan Sathiyaa, US 2024, 11 min), Minus Daisy (Samuel Green, US 2024, 5 min), Like a Stone or Flower (Kaiya Ming Jordan, US 2024, 10 min), Forever Mine (Isabella DeWitt, US 2024, 3 min), Killer Love (Jace Skinnell, US 2024, 8 min), Bickering (Gabrielle Hanson Chong, US 2024, 1 min), The Last Supper (Trudy Flashford, Canada 2024, 4 min), The Chihuahua Shake (Chase Olivera, US 2024, 14 min), The Alien (Maxwell Warner, US 2024, 10 min), Guiding Light (India Anne Mitchell, US 2024, 5 min), Appa Tales: Stories from My Grandfather (Noah Shin, US 2024, 6 min), Sole Sista (Emerie Elise Boone, Australia 2024, 6 min), Dreamkeeping (Mimi Muhle, US 2024, 5 min).

Expected In Person Guest

Jesselyn, 16, has a mischievous smile and the world’s best dad. Like him, she’s hooked on boxing. Director Emily Sheskin follows Jess on her road to the Junior Olympics, and her battle with the one opponent she’s unprepared to fight.

Jesselyn Silva (self-named “JessZilla”) is a 16 year old with a mischievous megawatt smile and undeniably one of the world’s best dads, Pedro. Academically gifted and athletically oriented, she became hooked on boxing as a tot after making herself a fixture in her dad’s gym—not as a spectator, but as a passionate participant in the sport. From Jess’s first fights in the ring at age seven, director Emily Sheskin has followed the pint-sized pugilist on her journey toward winning the gold belt as a three-time national champion, with further triumphs on her way, ready to compete in the Junior Olympics. But Jesselyn’s challenges don’t stop there: As she enters her teenage years, the first opponent she’s totally unprepared for enters her life and her greatest fight begins. JessZilla is an inspiring story of endurance, faith, and the love between a father and an extraordinary daughter: A knockout!

Age 10+

Jesselyn Silva (autodenominada “JessZilla”) tiene 16 años y una sonrisa electrizante, y sin lugar a dudas uno de los mejores papás del mundo, Pedro. Dotada académica y atléticamente, se enganchó al boxeo cuando era niña, después de convertirse en una habitual del gimnasio de su padre, no como espectadora, sino como apasionada participante del deporte. Desde las primeras peleas de Jess en el ring a los siete años, la cineasta Emily Sheskin ha seguido a la diminuta pugilista en su trayectoria hasta ganar el cinturón de oro como tres veces campeona nacional. Con más triunfos por venir, está lista para competir en los Juegos Olímpicos de la Juventud. Pero los desafíos de Jesselyn no terminan ahí: al empezar su adolescencia, el primer oponente para el que no está para nada preparada entra en su vida y su mayor pelea comienza. JessZilla es una historia inspiradora de resistencia, fe y amor entre un padre y una hija extraordinaria: ¡Sensacional!

Tummy Tom, a good-natured, well-intentioned and slightly gangly ginger cat, is a prime example of his species—he’s curious, mischievous, a bit lazy, and most of all, he loves to curl up for catnaps with his favorite stuffed teddy. But one day, “cat-astrophe” strikes: Jumping into his basket for a snooze, he discovers…Bear is missing! Fortunately for Tummy Tom, his BFF, a graceful gray named Cat-Mouse, springs into action and feline hijinks ensue as the duo encounter Squirrel, Sheep, and other animal friends ready to assist in the hunt for Bear. Tummy Tom first appeared on Sesamstraat (Dutch Sesame Street) in 1978, and co-directors Joost Van Den Bosch and Erik Verkerk’s new sing-along animation is an interactive delight for kids from age 2 to 200 (that’s in cat-years). Shown with The Anchor & the Kite (Jeff O’Brien Myers and Forest Blakk. US 2024, 3 min) and There Can Only Be One (Britney Fan, US 2024, 3 min).

Expected In Person Guest

Melody, 12, is obsessed with Rachel from Friends and worried about fitting in at school. Living with cerebral palsy, she faces extra challenges when moved from special ed into an “inclusive learning environment”. Based on Sharon Draper’s best-selling YA novel.

Twelve-year-old Melody Brooks is a typical early-21st-century tween, obsessed with Rachel from Friends, unhappy with the uncool clothes her mom buys for her, and worried about fitting in at school. As a nonverbal sixth grader living with cerebral palsy, she’s got extra challenges to contend with, especially when she’s moved from the special ed classroom into an inclusive learning environment that feels far from inclusive, given her teacher’s refusal to welcome her and the disdain of fellow students. But when given an assistive communication device, Melody quickly learns to use her new-found voice to prevail over the forces holding her back. Based on Sharon M. Draper’s YA bestseller and starring the amazing Phoebe-Ray Taylor as Melody, with Judith Light, Rosemarie DeWitt, Luke Kirby, and Jennifer Aniston (as Melody’s inner voice), director Amber Sealey’s (No Man of God) drama delivers a tale of determination, pride, and self-empowerment like no other.

Age 12+



Expected In Person Guest

Ten-year-old Percy Boy Collins is one of the fastest runners in school, but he never fails to arrive late for class. A smart-talking Aboriginal child in a white-dominated environment, Percy Boy has few allies until he befriends Keithy Cobb, the new kid at school. The schoolmates join forces to fend off the fifth-grade bullies known as the Wolf Pack. Joining them is little Daisy Hawkins, the fiercest and scariest third grader around. The three share a common goal: for Percy Boy to defeat the Wolf Pack in the running competition at the school carnival. But while he trains for the race, Percy Boy also begins to see visions from the afterworld, including those who perished in the bushfire that claimed the lives of his parents. Indigenous Australian director Tanith Glynn-Maloney’s first feature is an inspirational celebration of the bonds that tie us to our family, our friends, and our heritage.