Welcome to the 16th annual coastline children’s film festival
Sixteen years ago we were inspired by the 8½ Foundation. Founded by Tilda Swinton and Mark Cousins, its mission is 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 may be made many decades ago, may be made without color, may be 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 all for FREE.
On March 6th the Krasl Art Center kicks off the festival with an Opening Night Costume Party. Come as your favorite animated character and you could win a prize for the most creative costume. Festivities begin at 6:00 pm with popcorn, cupcakes and a music program featuring the First Grade Choir from South Elementary School (Watervliet) led by Brandon Mattson. 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 films will be screened at the Benton Harbor Public Library on Thursday, March 12th at 3:30 pm. This year's competition features 19 short films by young visionaries from all over the United State (including) Michigan. An additional screening on March 11th at the festival’s storefront at 5:30 pm is another opportunity to vote for the Audience Favorite. Awards will be presented, red carpet style on March 13th at the GhostLight Theatre.
Other events include a Night Hike & Owl Prowl at Sarett Nature Center (Benton Harbor), a workshop Living Art: The World of Illustrations and Live 2D Cubism led by Jaci Odden (Sawyer). We’re thrilled to share with the community the award-winning documentaries Big Dream (Benton Harbor), The Librarians (Three Oaks) and Paint Me A Road Out of Here (St. Joseph). Additionally we are excited to announce a special screening of Celebrating Black Stories (Benton Harbor). To close out our amazing festival, southwest Michigan’s own Dr. Larry Schanker provides improvisational piano accompaniment for a silent film at The Acorn (Three Oaks) on Sunday, March 15th.