Sydney Film Festivalal for kids
SFF unveils its first-ever family program. By Emma Joyce
For the first time, Sydney Film Festival has announced a program especially for children, with weekend daytime sessions to suit families. There are four feature-length films and a Kids Animation Showcase, comprising 16 short films aimed at ages three to eight. Screenings will be at Casula Powerhouse, Event Cinemas George Street, Hayden Orpheum and the State Theatre.
01 Gayby Baby Director Maya Newell offers a frank picture of the lives of children raised by same-sex couples. This humorous doco is suitable for ages six and up.
02 Song of the Sea Tomm Moore’s Song of the Sea was nominated for Best Animated Feature at this year’s Oscars. Inspired by Celtic legend, it tells the story of Ben and his fairy-like sister Saoirse, who live on a rocky island where seals bob up and watch their activities.
03 The Crow’s Egg Dubbed the next Slumdog Millionaire, this charming tale of two mischievous brothers determined to eat pizza for the first time is suitable for both kids and adults.
04 Wide Open Sky An Australian documentary about a children’s choir in the outback tells the journey of those little songsters from the audition process to the end-ofyear concert. Lisa Nicol’s feature-length directorial debut is suitable for ages six and up.
05 Kids Animation Showcase This special selection of short films was chosen for a discerning young audience. There will be ‘frabbits’, giant big brothers, zebras, vol-au-vents, missing hats and smortlybacks.
Sydney Film Festival www.sff. org.au/family. Jun 3-14.