WELCOME TO THE COASTLINE CHILDREN'S FILM FESTIVAL

 

Ten years ago (1) we were inspired by the 8½ FOUNDATION (eightandahalf.org) — founded by Tilda Swinton and Mark Cousins — and its mission to make great films available to young people everywhere: 

“And we have noticed over the many hundred cinema journeys we have taken that our most memorable maybe made many decades ago, maybe made without color, maybe with subtitles, or not a single spoken word.”  

That idea became our mandate; our manifesto.  For 10 days, we invite you to enjoy a selection of full-length features, documentaries, short films and classic silent films!

The festival kicks off FRIDAY MARCH 13TH with an OPENING NIGHT COSTUME PARTY at Krasl Art Center. Come as your favorite animated character and you could win a prize for most creative costume. Festivities begin at 6:00 pm with popcorn, cupcakes from BIT OF SWISS, a costume art activity and music by BRANDON MATTSON and his ukulele students from Watervliet Elementary. KID FLICKS ONE, a selection of animated and live action shorts from the New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF), begins at 7:00 PM. 

The YOUNG FILMMAKERS COMPETITION will premiere at New Buffalo Township Library (New Buffalo, MI) on SATURDAY MARCH 14TH.  This year's competition challenge – JUST ADD WATER – features 8 short films by young visionaries from Michigan and Indiana.  Awards will be presented, red carpet style on FRIDAY MARCH 20TH — immediately following the 5:30 PM program screening at Citadel Oak Room.

Other events include a post-screening conversation with (and short film about) EILEEN CROPLEY, founder of the Citadel Dance Company (Benton Harbor) following the documentary film, DANCEMAKER, an art activity at the Benton Harbor Public Library based on  the short series, RONJA: THE ROBBER'S DAUGHTER (E1 & E2) and a music and filmmaking workshop before RIGHT IN THE EYE — a live performance to the silent shorts of French filmmaker Georges Méliès by ALCOLÉA & CIE .

Finally, the inimitable DR. LARRY SCHANKER will provide piano accompaniment for 3 silent films — including Buster Keaton's ONE WEEK and GO WEST which close the festival at Krasl Art Center on SUNDAY MARCH 22ND.