Now playing...kidsfilmfest

The Brooklyn International Film Festival’s kidsfilmfest visits Long Island Children’s Museum on Saturday to premiere the film festival’s 2010 selections.
Young filmgoers can view a variety of short films, unlike anything seen at local movie theaters, or on television. The film festival, now in its sixth year, was first introduced to Long Island families last summer at the LICM Theater. The success of that screening has led its organizers to add LICM as one of the festival’s primary venues. The program features 11 short animation and narrative films that are global in scope. It is tailored for children from toddler through age 11 (films are rated “G”).
In addition to viewing the films, some of the directors will be on hand to discuss their films and the craft of film production, as with a “grownup” film festival.
“We are excited to be back at Long Island Children’s Museum,” said Lisa King, kidsfilmfest director. “The response was so wonderful last year. The kids and filmmakers really enjoyed the experience.”
Following the hour-long screening, the audience can get acquainted with some of the filmmakers, including Max Porter and Ru Kuwahata, directors of “Electric Car,” a music video that uses mixed media animation. “The museum’s theater is so intimate, it is a great setting for the kids to see the films and then get up on stage and interact with the filmmakers,” King said.

The festival’s line-up includes these winning films:
* The Cow Who Wanted To Be A Hamburger (6 minutes) – An animated children’s fable about the power of advertising, the meaning of life and ultimately the test of a mother’s love.
* Electric Car (4 minutes) – A music video that uses mixed media animation. Animals come out of hiding as an electric car rolls silently across the landscape. The drivers, a girl and her dog, welcome the world to join them as they journey into a new day.
* The Birthday Gift (8 minutes) – A story set in LongZhen China in 1979, a period of economic transition following the Cultural Revolution. The Birthday Gift tells the heartwarming story of a little boy named Aniu who teaches us about the true meaning of sacrifice, friendship and love.

When: Saturday, June 12, 1 and 3 p.m. $3 with museum admission, ($2 members) $6 theater only.
Where: Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or www.licm.org.