Big Eyes, Big Minds International Children’s Film Festival of Saint Louis is returning to the Saint Louis Zoo for its second year on Saturdays, Feb. 3, 17 and 24. The festival features award-winning films made for kids, about kids and sometimes by kids.
The live-action and animated short films range from 2 to 27 minutes long and are tailored to children 1 to 16 years old; however, adults will find the films equally appealing. Special to this year’s event are book-to-film adaptations, including the wickedly awesome Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes, as well as the clever and funny, You Are Not Small.
After each screening, education staff from the Zoo and Endangered Wolf Center will offer a range of crafts and activities related to the animals featured in the films.
The mission of the film festival is to provide children with diverse and imaginative works to broaden their view of the world, foster critical thinking and inspire creative expression.
Screenings
Film screenings will be held at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. on Saturdays, Feb. 3, 17 and 24 (no films on Feb. 10) at the Anheuser-Busch Theater in The Living World at the North Entrance of the Zoo. The morning screening features films recommended for ages 1 and up, and the afternoon screenings feature films recommended for ages 6 and up.
Tickets
Admission for each screening is $8 per person for Zoo members and $9 per person for non-members. Children under age 2 are free. Children under 12 years old must be accompanied by at least one adult. Tickets may be purchased at the door on the days of the event or online at stlzoo.org/filmfest.
About the films
Visit stlzoo.org/filmfest for more information and film descriptions.
Creatures Great And Small (10:30 a.m.; 46-minute program for ages 1 and up)
In this collection of 11 animated films, you’ll meet all kinds of friends, big and small, and learn that size is just a matter of perspective. Films include: Lili Loves Food (Denmark), Crocodile (Germany), You Are Not Small (U.S.), Bat Time (Germany), Some Thing (Germany), Celebrate Today (U.S.), Once Upon A Blue Moon (U.K.), Awesome Beetle’s Colours (Latvia), Where’s the Fish? (Taiwan), My Magic Trick(U.S.), I Want My Hat Back (U.S.)
Terrific Tales (1 p.m.; 58-minute program for ages 6 and up)
This collection of six short films includes part one of the award-winning adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes (U.K.). Other films include: How To Make A Friend (U.S.), I Am Not A Mouse (U.K.), Flake White & The Seven Lady Dwarves (Belgium), The Crook (U.S.), Litterbugs (U.K.)
Fabulous Fables (2:15 p.m.; 58-minute program for ages 6 and up)
This compilation of six animated films includes part two of Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes (U.K.). Other films include: Some Thing(Germany), My Parents (Australia), Mole & Earthworm (Germany), Catch It (France), Welcome To My Life (U.S.)
About the Saint Louis Zoo
Chosen as America’s top free attraction and best zoo in USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, the Saint Louis Zoo is widely recognized for its innovative approaches to animal care and management, wildlife conservation, research, and education. One of the few free zoos in the nation, the Zoo attracts more than 3,000,000 visitors a year. For more information, visit stlzoo.org, facebook.com/stlzoo, instagram.com/stlzoo, twitter.com/stlzoo, Snapchat (saintlouiszoo), youtube.com/stlzootube and pinterest.com/stlzoo.
About Big Eyes, Big Minds
For information on Big Eyes, Big Minds International Children’s Film Festival of Saint Louis, visit bigeyesbigminds.com. An experienced writer, director and producer of television films, Festival Director Mabel Gan also produces the highly respected Singapore International Children’s Film Festival, which reaches 3,000 children each year. The organization also works to cultivate film appreciation and increase knowledge of the craft of filmmaking.