Aurora Hosts NYICFF Kid Flix Mix: A Kaleidoscopic Showcase of Short Films for Youth, Jan. 28

Aurora Picture Show hosts a FREE screening for the whole family of the New York International Children's Film Festival entitled "Kid Flix Mix" at the Children's Museum of Houston on Saturday, January 28th. Prior to the screening starting at 4PM, join in a crafting with cookies and edible décor workshop from Whole Foods Market inspired by the short film Ormie about a pig and his attempts to attain the sweet objects of his obsession.

Young audiences will delight at the antics of hip-hop cats (in All That Cats), a young girl and her balloon (in The Yellow Balloon), a group of friends living together on a beautiful tropical island (in Saari), a bird struggling to find his voice (in Whistleless) and many more delightful characters that make up the kaleidoscopic showcase of the internationally acclaimed short films and animations. The hour-long mix of short films offers an exciting experience for all ages. Cookie crafting will take place from 4-5PM with the screening following. Special thanks to the Children's Museum of Houston and Whole Foods Market for their support of this presentation.

NYICFF is North America's largest festival of film for children and teens, and stands at the forefront of a movement to define a new, more provocative and compelling film for kids. Each year the festival presents a carefully curated collection of the best new animation, live action and experimental film from around the world in an exhilarating festival atmosphere with all the immediacy and excitement of Cannes or Sundance.

This screening is presented as part of Popcorn Kids, a series of programs geared toward children that encourage media literacy and education from a young age. This includes free family film screenings, summer filmmaking camps and outreach to youth hospitals, community groups and schools for on-site workshops. Popcorn Kids programs explore using media as a forum for creative exchange and teach skills with media making. In addition to workshops hosted at the Aurora Video Library, Popcorn Kids programs also tour into the community. Special thanks to the Brown Foundation, Hot Topic Foundation, Kinder Morgan Foundation, Whole Foods Market, Target and IKEA Houston for their support of Popcorn Kids Programming.

The screening includes the following short films:

Mi'au Myau, UK, Animation, Vida Vega, 2009, 1 min
In this lovely hand-drawn short animation, a group of birds sit together on a branch, chirping away each in their own native tongue. But when an unexpected visitor comes along, his words are universally understood.

All That Cats, Hungary, Animation, Mátyás Lanczinger, 2009, 1 min x 3
In this series of short animations, a duo of hip hop cats perform beatbox rhythms to transform everyday situations into a musical experience.

How the Shammies Bathed, Latvia, Mixed Media, Edmunds Jansons, 2010, 7 min
Collage and mixed media animation create a textural feast, with adorable animated characters designed in patterned fabrics, burlap, and buttons. A foreboding "drip-drop" coming from a dark room turns out to be only water in the tub - it's bath time for the Shammies!

Whistleless, Denmark, Animation, Siri Melchior, 2010, 5 min
In this fun, sweet, musical cartoon, a little bird struggles to find his voice in a world full of different noises. A colorful, hand-drawn gem from NYICFF alum Siri Melchior (Dog Who Was a Cat Inside, Mambo) makes its first East Coast appearance following a run of major fests including Berlin, Toronto, Annecy, Seoul, and many more.

The Yellow Balloon, USA, Animation, Ben Thompson/Rob Castillo, 2010, 3 min
The true story of a dramatic event that takes place on a New York City subway, featuring a little girl and her yellow balloon.

Who's There?, Slovakia, Animation, Vanda Raýmanová, 2009, 9.5 min
Two boys hatch out of eggs and have an imaginative adventure. Sometimes as friends, sometimes as rivals, they build a house to protect themselves from the wolf.

Mobile, Germany, Animation, Verena Fels, 2010, 6 min
Isolated on the edge of society, a cow tips the balance of destiny when she attempts to make a friend.

Saari, Spain, Animation, Pablo Jordi, 2008, 3 min x 2
Stunning colors, character design, and art direction show influences of Miro in this Spanish series about the creative adventures of a group of friends living together on the animated island of Saari.

Snowflakes and Carrots, Canada, Animation, Samantha Leriche-Gionet, 2010, 4 min
A little girl steals the carrot noses from all the snowmen she can find. But why?

Precise Peter, Germany, Animation, Martin Schmidt, 2010, 5 min
An obsessive compulsive dad is excited about introducing his little boy to the joys of alfresco dining. The fish is ready, the table is set, the sun is shining, all seems perfect - but junior can't quite get with the program.

Murphy's Shorts, USA, Animation, Todd Hemker, 2009, 2 min
A chubby kid on a diving board keeps bouncing, higher and higher, as sister, dad, and baby watch from below with growing anticipation and concern.

Ormie, Canada, Animation, Rob Silvestri, 2009, 4 min
Pig see cookie. Pig want cookie. But the cookies are frustratingly out of reach in glass jar on top of the fridge, just beyond his grasp... or are they? With inventiveness and relentless determination, Ormie employs Wile E. Coyote-type contraptions and half-baked plans in a series of increasingly desperate attempts to attain the sweet objects of his obsession.

WHERE AND WHEN
NYICFF Kid Flix Mix Screening and Cookie Crafting
Co-Presented with Children's Museum of Houston
Saturday, January 28, 4PM
Location: Children's Museum of Houston, 1500 Binz
Free Admission to Screening and Free Access to the Museum from 3:30 - 6:00 PM

ABOUT AURORA PICTURE SHOW
Founded in 1998, Aurora Picture Show is a non-profit micro-cinema that presents artist-made, non-commercial film and video. We are dedicated to expanding the cinematic experience and promoting the understanding and appreciation of moving image art. Aurora's human scale promotes a meaningful and community-oriented exchange between artists and audiences, and strives to not only be a launching pad for emerging artists but to create not-to-be-missed events for Houston.

Aurora Picture Show is funded by its stellar membership, Houston Endowment, Inc, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Brown Foundation, Texas Commission on the Arts, The City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, the Alice Kleberg Reynolds, the Oshman Foundation, Susan Vaughan Foundation, Target Corporation, Kinder Morgan Foundation, the Hot Topic Foundation and National Endowment for the Arts. Aurora Picture Show is a proud member of Fresh Arts Coalition.

ABOUT CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF HOUSTON
America's No. 1 Children's Museum" by Parents Magazine, winner of Nickelodeon Parents' Picks "Best Museum in Houston 2009 & 2010," Click2Houston's "Best Museum 2010," the Children's Museum of Houstonis a Citysearch.com's nationwide 5-star children's museum. It is dedicated to transforming communities through innovative, child-centered learning with a vision to spark a passion for lifelong learning in all children. Founded in 1980 and housed in a whimsical building designed by internationally acclaimed architect Robert Venturi, the Children's Museum of Houston offers a multitude of innovative exhibits and bilingual learning programs for kids ages birth to 12 years. The Museum serves more than 1,100,000 people annually and operates as a 501(c)(3) under the direction of a Board of Directors. It is located at 1500 Binz in Houston's Museum District. Admission is $8 per person and $7 for seniors 65 years and older and for members of the military. Children under one and Museum Members receive free admission.

http://www.aurorapictureshow.org