The New York International Children's Film Festival Is a Go... Online!

It’s no surprise that conventions and festivals have gone virtual. 2020 was a total bust for in-person events, and 2021 (at least the first half of it) is shaping up in similar fashion. Marquee events like San Diego Comic-Con have already been canceled, but most of these have made the attempt to transition, in some form, to still be accessible online.

To middling success, if we’re being honest.

Film festivals, though, have a much easier time of it. Sure, the communal aspect of watching a film in a darkened theater full of people is missing… but to some, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Enter the New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF), which this year has gone 100% virtual (from March 5-14).

That remains crummy news for film industry professionals and those who rely on in-person festivals to drum up press and financial connections. But it’s great news for everyone who has always wanted to attend but couldn’t.

The NYICFF was founded in 1997 to “support the creation and dissemination of thoughtful, provocative, and intelligent film for children and teens ages 3-18.” It’s since grown into the largest film festival for children and teens in North America.

It’s an Academy Award qualifying festival and – in a “normal” year – sees some 25,000 audience members across it’s lineup. That includes a load of young people who might not otherwise have access to many of these international, independent, and smaller-budget films.

This year, the festival includes 125+ new films (including 18 features) from around the world, representing over 30 countries in 15 languages.

Highlights (and what we’re personally looking forward to) include Nahuel and the Magic Book, Calamity (from Rémi Chayé, whose Long Way North deserved more recognition), Beans, The Legend of Hei, and Raya and the Last Dragon (which will have a live screening on March 12). Check out all the films that are part of NYICFF here.

With the 2021 edition, those films – in addition to several Q&A sessions with filmmakers – are available online with an all access pass.