The New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF), referred to as the “Sundance for the younger set,” kicks off this Friday (March 5-14) and is here to fill your indie movie void.
The Oscar-qualifying festival has gone fully online this year allowing families and cinephiles nationwide access to its diverse collection of distinct artistic voices, styles, and subject matter.
Celebrating Black Stories spotlights shorts from throughout the Festival that addresses the joy, resilience, and complexity of the lives of Black youth. While these films will appear in other programs throughout the Festival, screening them together amplifies them further and provides another important context in which the audience can consider these essential stories.
Through Black film, the festival spotlights children films that address the joy, resilience, and complexity of the lives of Black youth.
Black Boy Joy
In the film, Black Boy Joy, men experience struggles when trying to raise a son with autism. Often, times people with Autism experience rejection because of their social, emotional, and mental differences. This film highlights a man who is determined to raise his son despite the opinions of society and his own father, Otis. With love and care, Miles who stars as William Catlet is having difficulty getting his son ready for his wife’s funeral. As the film progresses, we see all the men experience a breakdown of grief in their own way. The director, Martina Lee, allows the men to be vulnerable, and show the many layers of love.
Broken Bird
Broken Bird gives a young biracial girl, Birdie, the opportunity to experience adulthood and independence as she prepares for her Bar Mitzvah. When hesitant about inviting her father back into the world, the film not only examines rekindling relationships but also the importance of identity. This teaches young people about the importance of authenticity and comfortability in their gifts and talents.
Downstage
Director Stephanie Owens gave Downstage an extraordinary meaning when showing 11-year old Aedan preparing for his first solo ballet competition. The film inspires people to be determined as they follow their dreams to success. While watching, Aedan challenges arose but the director was able to connect those challenges to seasoned ballet professionals who reflected on their journey. Because of these seasoned ballet dances, men and women have a role model that they can look up to for guidance, strength, and motivation.
Icebreakers
Icebreakers is the story about Josh Crooks, a talented hockey player who realizes that hockey is a sport played by white people. With the skills of black athletes, the Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes, helped launch modern hockey. Through, Black History many black athletes have helped pave the way for young hockey, football, basketball, and baseball players.
Kenya’s symphony
Five-year old Kenya is forced to attend a symphony with her mother. Music controls our feelings, emotions, and even how we communicate. Through music, Kenya grew a love for orchestra. When a person is able to start off at a young age with a gift or talent it can blossom into something impactful. Kenya’s mother was trying to propel her daughter’s purpose forward.
Sol
In 2042, a mother is trying to prepare her daughter for an emergency when a disaster arises. During this period of time the world is experiencing climate change. This film is beneficial for our world as we face a global pandemic and realize how many African American have died from this virus. This mother in the film is giving her daughter the necessary tool to survive.
Tape
Director Jojo Erholtz highlights the bond between two female hockey teammates. Rooney struggles to fix her relationship with her teammate in preparation for the team’s pre-qualifying match. This film gives people a message of teamwork and young African American women being able to work through difficulty and self-reflection.
Joyrun
To be black and transgender can cause conflict in our world. The reality is many people are not accepting to all people. Director Tourmaline creates a gender inclusive for black athletes to experience joy while running. Running can be symbolized as freedom and peace of mind to be your true self.