Starstruck (Gr 4-6)

2013 Festival

Thur, May 2 @ 12:30 pm; Sat, May 4 @ 11:00 am

Chosen by teachers, these films present many situations that kids will be familiar with: the school play, a first crush, bullies, and being different. This entertaining film package includes two documentaries and a subtitled comedy from Germany.

Films in this package

Eyes on the Stars

On January 28, 1986, NASA Challenger mission STS-51-L ended in tragedy when the shuttle exploded 73 seconds after takeoff. On board was physicist Ronald E. McNair, who was the second African American to enter space. But first, he was a kid with big dreams in Lake City, South Carolina.

When the Wind Turns

Annoyed with his neighbours, a man sets off to find a peaceful and quiet place to live, but wherever he goes, something always disturbs him. An amusing allegory about not appreciating what one already has.

Out of Hand

Knowing that his mother will record every moment of his performance in the school play, Nathan struggles to rehearse his tongue-twister lines while scrambling to throw, trash and flush a mysterious fingered appendage that he unearthed and can’t seem to shake, but things are about to get really out of hand!

A Shadow of Blue

A young girl’s imagination sets her shadow free to recapture the blue butterfly that the wind tore from her grasp. Won Best Animation Award at the 2012 Short Shorts Film Festival of Tokyo among many other awards.

The Decree

Nine-year-old Henry is scared of monsters lurking in the dark. The only thing that keeps them at bay is the decree from his father, a Royal Marine. When his father is killed in action, Henry must find a way to face the monsters alone. Won Best Foreign Drama Short Film at the 2012 International Family…

Paulie

Paulie is a nine-year-old prodigy in the seventh grade. He is used to being the smartest kid in the class, acing every test and winning every spelling bee, so when bully Tony beats him in an essay contest, Paulie’s mission becomes proving that Tony cheated. Won the Panavision Grand Jury Award at the 2012 Palm…

The Vacuum Kid

Few things are as unexpected as a 12-year-old boy who collects, dreams about, and can’t wait to use … vacuum cleaners. Kyle Krichbaum’s family was sure he would outgrow the obsession that started when he was a toddler, but he hasn’t. In this charming documentary, Kyle talks about his passion, demonstrates a few models from…

My First Spellbook

When Katy discovers that a book of spells she borrowed from the library really works, she starts dressing like a witch and then realizes she’s turning into a real witch. Will she be able to return to her former self, or will magic end up ruling her life forever?

Kidnapped

An 11-year-old boy is kidnapped by a classmate who has a crush on him in this sweet story of captivity and freedom. Won Audience Award Children’s Film at the 2012 Landshuter Kurzfilmfestival in Germany among other awards.