"You don't need kids to go" or The NYICFF 2025 Curtain Raiser

 The always wonderful New York International Children’s Film Festival  starts Friday and all is well with the world. (Tickets Here)

Thismaybe my most favorite festival of all time. I’ve been going since the second year and I’ve had a blast every time.

Started by parents who wanted to find the best films for their kids the festival has grown into one of the most important anywhere in the world Tto play here is such a huge deal, so last year Japanese studio Toei made a big deal when their film MAGIC CANDIES played the festival because it meant something to have the film premiere here to the international film community. It’s also an Oscar qualifying fest, which means that the films can get into the running for the Oscars if they win an award. And it’s  the birth place of GKids, the film distributor which is responsible for keeping the Studio Ghibli films in constant circulation.

The most important thing is that this is the place to see great films, period, full stop. With rare exception the films that play here have always been among the best you will see all year. I don’t know what voodoo that they do but the films all kick serious buttocks and produce smiles, even as they break your heart. Everyone leaves delighted.

I love this festival.

I love this festival so much that I have been dragging friends and family to it for decades. I bring everyone I can because even though they more often then not have no idea what the films are, I know they are going to be things that they will love with their hearts and souls when they are over.

The key thing that everyone needs to know is that the festival is not just for kids. Yes it’s nominally a children’s festival the films are such that they are great for everyone. While mostly its families attending, there are few of us hearty souls who make the trek and to see the films and dodge the t-shirts tossed because we know we are going to see the films that are going to rock our world forthe rest of the year.

I am deadly serious: If you live in New York and you love movies or cinema or films than you have to go because there is magic here. (YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A KID)

This year I’ve bought a full festival pass and I’m going to see a ton of films. Everything from  shorts  to the new Michel Gondry.

As this posts  is being written I’ve seen two of the films playing and both were two of the best films from last year.

KENSUKE’S KINGDOM is the grossly underseen  adventure film that played at the festival last year. It’s the story of a young man who gets shipwrecked on an island with his dog. Its as good as films come, though bring tissues because there is one heartbreaking scene that will rock your world. The other is LIVING LARGE which is about being an overweight outsider, and it is a note perfect film. I lived this and I know how right on target it is. Buy tickets and go to both. (I’m reposting my reviews toward the end of the week)

[ADDENDUM: As this posts I've seen a couple more films and I have to say if you want to spend all day in the dark and see three sure fire hits go next Saturday (March 1) to Scandanavia House and see KENSUKE'S KINGDOM, SALTA! and WINNERS. Its three of the best films of the fest (KENSUKES was on my best of 2024 and WINNERS is an early choice for best of 2025) Reviews of WINNERS and SALTA! post in a couple of days]

As for everything else reviews are coming. I have tickets for 12 or 13 screenings and I may do more. Ultimately I should have reviews of all of the feature films and about half of the shorts. Because I am seeing everything at the fest there is no way to do must see list - however the festival is so strongly programmed you can not go wrong with anything you get tickets for.

Trust me you need to come join me because this is going to be the best time you have at the movies all year.

TICKETS AND MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND HERE (And if something sells out do go to the theater anyway because most times you can get in via stand by.)