In January 2025, Belmont World Film’s 22nd Family Festival, presented by the German International School of Boston, will screen some of the world’s most imaginative live action and animated films for and about children ages 3-12. These films will be brought to life on the big screen as a shared experience on January 18th at the West Newton Cinema, on January 19th and 26th at the Regent Theatre in Arlington, and on January 20th at the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge.

The line-up features a sensitively curated selection of films from Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Norway, Slovenia, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the US. Most films are making their North American premieres. Ten films are in other languages with subtitles, with one completely wordless short film program and five films in English. For younger viewers and those with difficulty reading, subtitles will be read aloud through headphones by a professional voice-over. Films include multicultural casts representing five different continents.

Artist-in-residence David Feiss, co-director with previous artist-in-residence Cinzia Angelini of the recently released animated film HITPIG!, starring Jason Sudeikis, will take part in a Q&A following the film’s screening on Sunday, January 19. Feiss will also lead a workshop where children can learn to draw characters from the Minions and Hotel Transylvania movies on January 19 from 11 AM-1:00 PM at the Regent Theatre Underground. Feiss has had a prolific career in animation, starting as an animator on HEAVY METAL; he has worked on all the Minions and Hotel Transylvania movies and is known for the Cartoon Network’s COW AND CHICKEN and I AM WEASEL.

Films inspired by beloved classic and contemporary children’s books are a festival hallmark, with more than half of the coming edition’s selections adapted or re-imagined from books. These films, which will be shown on January 19 and January 20, ignite a love for books and reading, while complementing the Massachusetts Public School Curriculum Frameworks. The theme of reclaiming green spaces also takes center stage on January 26, inspiring young audiences to value and protect the natural world around them.

The festival kicks off Saturday, January 18th at the newly created nonprofit West Newton Cinema (1296 Washington Street), one of the festival’s community partners. Sunday, January 19th at the Regent Theatre features Day 1 of films inspired by books. Monday, January 20 at the Regent Theatre features Day 2 of films inspired by books. Sunday, January 26 at the Regent Theatre features films about reclaiming green spaces. Visit the web site for the complete list of films, but films screening at the West Newton Cinema include:

10:30 AM: Shorts Program

“Pet Projects”: From playful pets to wild creatures, this wordless collection of funny and creative international short films—from charming stop-motion to stunning 2D and 3D animation—blends humor, emotion, and creativity

11:45 AM: Elli and the Ghostly Ghost Train (Canada)

In a futuristic world where ghosts and the abnormal are no longer allowed in society, homeless little ghost Elli goes in search of her missing uncle and ends up hiding in a Ghost Train filled with eccentric residents.

1:30 PM: Dounia: The Great White North (Canada) shown with Skipping Rope (Taiwan)

Dounia and her grandparents experience life in Canada after fleeing the war in Syria, leaving her father in Aleppo. She and her new French-Canadian and indigenous friends delight in sharing their respective cultures. Missing her father deeply, Dounia follows her indigenous friend’s grandmother’s advice to call out to him with all her heart. In Skipping Rope, a young girl yearns for the life her older sister leads: being part of a rope skipping team, trendy shoes, a close circle of friends, and the affectionate gaze of their parents

3:00 PM: Winners (Germany)

Mona, an 11-year-old Kurdish girl who fled Syria with her family, now lives in a Berlin neighborhood where most kids are from other countries. She longs for her country and street soccer matches. When a teacher persuades her to join the school soccer team, she faces new challenges as she navigates clashes with her teammates, each grappling with their own struggles. To win the school’s first city-wide championship, the team must overcome obstacles on and off the field to discover the true meaning of teamwork.

Belmont World Film’s 22nd Family Festival is supported by generous grants from Newton Community Pride and the Belmont Cultural Council. Festival sponsors include German International School of Boston, British International School of Boston, RSM-Belmont, Quebec Delegation of Boston, Norwegian Consulate General in New York, Belmont Day School, and Powers School of Music. The support from grant makers and sponsors enables the realization of this culturally enriching festival.