The Netherlands Chosen as “Friends & Neighbors” Focus at NY International Children’s Film Festival

Fri, Feb 22 - Sun, Mar 17  2019

NYICFF presents its third edition of Friends & Neighbors, a program spotlighting the distinctive artistry of a country of focus and partner festival. Following Canada’s TIFF Kids and Mexico’s Morelia International Film Festival, NYICFF is collaborating with the Netherlands Consulate General in New York, the Netherlands’ premier children’s film festival Cinekid and EYE International to present a series of shorts by the Netherlands’ most accomplished live action, animation, and documentary filmmakers for young audiences, as well as highlight new Dutch feature filmmaking for youth. Friends & Neighbors: Netherlands is part of Never Grow Up!, a yearlong initiative bringing an abundance of Dutch film, literature, and performing arts for young people to the United States. 

Update March 19, 2019:

The following Dutch films have won awards during NYICFF 2019.

Get your tickets at the NYICFF website here, and be sure to use our special promo code for $2 off your ticket: >>CGN19<<.

See the full schedule below!

My Extraordinary Summer with Tess © Bert Nijman

Friends & Neighbors: The Netherlands

Feature Film Premiere:
My Extraordinary Summer With Tess | Directed by Steven Wouterlood
2019 – North American premiere, Live Action, 82 minutes

While Sam’s family heads out for a Dutch island holiday of fun, the 10-year-old decides it’s the perfect time to train himself to be alone. Even if his teen brother is a know-it-all, Sam’s got a great family and no reason to worry. But as the youngest, he fears one day he’ll outlive everyone. His training is interrupted when he meets spirited Tess, who, on a pressing quest of her own, pulls Sam into her madcap scheme. The two discover that, as messy and vulnerable as it is, perhaps togetherness isn’t so bad.

March 2, 5:00 PM | SVA Theatre | Tickets – Director present for Q&A!

March 9, 3:00 PM | Quad Cinema | Ticket (SOLD OUT)

“Straightforward youth cinema with surprising emotional depth.” – Variety (review)

“This is a nicely balanced coming-of-age story that grapples with substantial matters in an accessible manner.” – Screendaily (review)

Polska Warrior (2017), directed by Camiel Schouwenaar

Two short film programs, approx. 70 minutes each
NYICFF is crossing the Atlantic to pair up with far-flung Friends & Neighbors this year. Cinekid, the Netherlands’ premiere film festival for children and EYE International come ashore to share their best short films. Featuring a range of different cultures and themes—from Old Amsterdam to New York—and fresh stories that keep history alive.

Friends & Neighbors – Shorts Program 1:
Lineup: Passing By; Jonas and the Sea; Heads Together; Mr. Paper Goes Out for a Walk; Polska Warrior 

March 3, 1:00 PM | Cinépolis Chelsea | Tickets 

March 16, 12:45 PM | Scandinavia House | Tickets

Friends & Neighbors – Shorts Program 2:
Lineup: Passing By; A KISS; The Man Who Looked Beyond the Horizon; 1Minute Nature: My Cat in Me; LISTEN; Emily

March 10, 4:45 PM | SVA Theatre | Tickets

Other Dutch features at the festival are:

Fox & Hare: Birthday
Directed by Mascha Halberstad & Tom van Gestel (2018)
Shorts for Tots Program: For the full times of this program, check the NYICFF website.

Marlies van der Wel
Animators All Around Program: Learn how animation goes from inspiration to sketch to screen from the creators themselves in this very special presentation chock-a-block with film clips and stories about finding your artistic voice and vision.
March 9, 5:00pm — 6:20pm – SVA Theatre | More info here. 

About New York International Children’s Film Festival

Distinguished by its unique mission and high-caliber programming, New York International Children’s Film Festival was founded in 1997 to support the creation and dissemination of thoughtful, provocative, and intelligent film for children and teens ages 3-18. Celebrating its 22nd year in 2019, the flagship New York City Festival takes place February 22 – March 17, and has grown from one weekend of films into the largest film festival for children and teens in North America.

Presenting consistently sold-out screenings for the general public and weekday screenings for school groups throughout New York City over the course of four weeks at venues throughout the city, the Festival’s rich and dynamic film program -– drawn from roughly 2,500 international submissions – boasts over 100 short and feature films, filmmaker Q&As, retrospective programs, parties, premieres, audience voting, and a Closing Night celebration. The Festival is an Academy Award® qualifying festival, one of only four film festivals in New York State – and only two children’s film festivals in the country – to hold that honor with the Festival’s esteemed jury selecting the qualifying films. The Festival experience cultivates an appreciation for the arts, encourages active, discerning viewing, and stimulates lively discussion among peers, families, and the film community.