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Top International Films for Kids Headline Kidflix Festival 10/20

A San Anselmo Mom's company brings award-winning international films and a global perspective for kids 6-10, to the San Geronimo Valley Community Center on Saturday, October 20th 12-5pm.

San Anselmo and Seattle-based purveyor of high quality foreign films for children, KidFlix Global, has joined forces with family-friendly event destination San Geronimo Valley Community Center, to present The Kidflix Festival on Saturday, October 20th, a brand new festival geared towards families who want their kids to have a more global perspective. “As parents we want to show our kids positive, inspiring stories which teach them about integrity, compassion, courage and loyalty – that’s why after raising Brandon, I co-founded KidFlix Global.” Said April Wolcott of San Anselmo.

“We created our film rental club, kidflixglobal.com as a portal to a broader vision of the world...where kids can experience in a visceral way, how their peers around the world live, what they care about and how they feel. How do they relate to their family? What do they do for fun?” said Wolcott.

The KidFlix Festival will take place on Saturday, October 20 from noon to 5 p.m. at the San Geronimo Valley Community Center Gym & Loft and the Lagunitas School Multipurpose Room and will screen two films distributed by KidFlix Global:

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At 1 p.m.: Magic Silver – the 2010 Winner of The Amanda (The National Film Award of Norway) for Best Children's Film and

At 3:30 p.m.: Stella and the Star of the Orient, 2009 Best Film Audience Award Winner Mill Valley Children's Film Festival.

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“We’re thrilled to host these adventurous and substantive films at San Geronimo Valley Community Center,” said Events Programmer Hannah Doress, “Stella and the Star of the Orient” is like Narnia meets Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in the 19th Century and Magic Silver is a wonderful fantasy – made by Norwegian filmmakers that idolized Steven Spielberg.” The films are ideal for ages 6-10 and the subtitles will be read aloud for the comfort of beginning readers.

Before and in between films the San Geronimo Valley Community Center Loft & Gym will offer open gym including basketball, Dance Machine, Air Hockey, Crafts, Legos and more. There will also a bounce house outdoors and international food will be available for sale, including Norwegian waffles, international lunch foods and ice cream from Molly Moo's Ice Cream Truck.

Tickets include both film showings in the Lagunitas School Multipurpose Room and fun & games in the Loft Youth Center, Gym and Bounce House.

Significant advance ticket discounts are available at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/283056

Family of 3 or more: $35 ($20 advance) Adults: $15 ($10 advance)
Kids: $5 (2 for $5 advance)

Funds raised will support San Geronimo Valley Community Center programs including a food bank, a youth center, a senior lunch and more.
For more details visit sgvcc.org or kidflixglobal.com

More about the films and cosponsoring organizations:

Magic Silver

© 2009, Norway
original title: Julenatt i Blåfjell
Directors: Katarina Launing and Roar Uthaug
in Norwegian with English subtitles
Recommended for Ages 6 and up if reading.
Running time: 1 hour, 23 minutes

Preview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMX2ed0kfI8&feature=player_embedded

Once upon a time a small community of Blue Gnomes lived deep in the mountains of Norway. The blue Gnomes were in charge of bringing daylight to earth each day. Theirs was the only community that possessed the Magic Silver that created the magic hour of daylight.

One day the Magic Silver is stolen by the Red Gnomes and the earth is plunged into darkness.  Princess Bluerose, the daughter of the Gnome King, must overcome her overwhelming fears in order to save the life of her beloved father and rescue the world from eternal darkness.  From her home deep in the Norwegian mountains, she sets out on a remarkable journey with a young companion, conquers her timidity, and learns the essential lesson "when you take away, in exchange, you must always give something back."

The director, Katarina Launing, says of the film " . . . . we saw an opportunity in Magic Silver to do something larger than life - and magical. We also connected in a big way to the theme of bravery and standing up for your beliefs. The film also speaks about tolerance and despite differences working together towards a common goal - something we feel is more important than ever in this day and age."


2010 Official Selection of the Chicago International Children's Film Festival
2010 Winner of The Amanda (The National Film Award of Norway) for Best Children's Film
2010 Official Selection of the Goteberg International Children's Film Festival
2010 Special Mention, Lubeck Children's Jury
2010 Special Mention, Leeds Young People's Film Festival

More details: http://www.kidflixglobal.com/films_item/magic-silver/

Stella and the Star of the Orient


© 2008, Germany
original title: Stella und der Stern des Orients
Director: Emma Schmidt
In German with English subtitles
Recommended for Ages 6 and up
Running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Preview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHP0jLt-nmA&feature=player_embedded

Filmed in Germany, this story explores the numerous changes occurring in the past 100 years; in advancing women's rights, in science and technology, as well as illustrating the rewards of family loyalty.

Ten-year-old Stella, rummaging in her grandmother's attic, steps into an antique wardrobe and travels 100 years back in time. She meets her own great grandmother and the younger brother, and the three instantly become firm friends. She learns that their family is in serious financial difficulty and may lose their home. Also, she learns that an eccentric uncle has hidden a diamond called the "Star of the Orient" somewhere on the estate.
The children embark on a perilous adventure to find it.

2009 Mill Valley Children's Film Festival (U.S.) - Best Film - Audience Award
2009 Sprockets (Canada) - Best Feature Film - Young People's Jury
2009 Chicago International Children's Film Festival (U.S.)- Best of Fest
2009 Buster (Denmark) - Official Selection

More details:
http://www.kidflixglobal.com/films_item/stella-and-the-star-of-the-orient/

About Kidflix Global:
Kidflix Global rents and sells exceptional films being produced in other countries suited to family audiences. They invite you to see new places, hear different languages, and meet young heroes and heroines who bring courage, generosity, loyalty, integrity and compassion to the adventures and challenges they face. Through images and stories from around the world, they bring children and their families to a greater understanding of themselves and each other.

Kidflix Global offers an alternative to the standard American film fare, where kids can experience in a visceral way how their peers around the world live, what they care about and how they feel. How do they relate to their family, to their loves? What do they do for fun? They believe that the powerful and accessible medium of film and great stories can open eyes, open minds, and open hearts, and inspire a flourishing global community! Visit them at http://www.kidflixglobal.com!

About San Geronimo Valley Community Center:

For more than 40 years, the Community Center has been serving the four villages of the San Geronimo Valley -- Woodacre, San Geronimo, Forest Knolls and Lagunitas -- and Nicasio, and the surrounding communities in Marin County. The Center has become a focal point in for programs in the Arts, Human Services and for community events and activities. Their visual, literary and performing arts programs provide outstanding cultural opportunities for all. Past events have included talent such as Kitka, New Monsoon, Zero, Wavy Gravy, Swami Beyondananda, Los Cenzontles, Solstice, San Francisco Mime Troupe, Utah Phillips, Kate Wolf, Zulu Spear, Mystic Roots, Tea Leaf Green, Alice DiMicele, Pele Juju, Moonalice and more.

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