Outer space, exotic countries or animal life are some of the trips that will be available for the whole family on the return of the fourth edition of IndieJúnior Allianz, the children’s and youth film festival that will take place in Porto from January 28th to February 2nd. From a focus on Canadian animation with a look back at Norman McLaren‘s work, from the first parent film screenings back to the Lap Cinema, to the special sessions onboard a tram, there are several challenges to discover and keep up with in the largest edition, of the film festival dedicated to the youngest in the north of the country. And because the paths of IndieJúnior Allianz are also made in the discussion of the themes that mark growth, this year there is particular attention to the environment, animal care and sexuality, themes not only in the programming of films, but also in workshops, debates and parallel activities.
This year’s highlight is the international feature film competition, reinforced by the presentation of three films that, in different languages, bring new stories and visual proposals that may be a fun alternative to the commercial audiovisual circuit. Begin with the life story of Marona (The Extraordinary Journey of Marona), a dog that grew up among the loves and the dislikes of humans in Paris. Also centered on the animal world, Jacob, Mimmi and the Talking Dogs accompany the struggle of two cousins for the maintenance of the local park, while One Colony portrays the subtleties of social relations between young people, telling the story of a group of teenagers and their search. for a place where they can simply be themselves. Still in the feature films chapter, recovery to the big screen of the classic The Gold Rush, E.T. – The Extraterrestrial and Dead Poets Society, in the section My First Film. At the closing ceremony of the festival, Buster Keaton’s The Boat will be performed live by Susana Santos Silva, member of Porta Jazz Association, with a guest musician, and students of ESMAE.
In the special program of sessions dedicated to the whole family, Take a Chance!, on Saturday February 1st at Rivoli, with a short film session where a trip to the snow forest is proposed, a long day on a crowded beach and a bike lesson. The same day, in the afternoon, Our Family is seen from every angle, in a short film session that looks at the particularities of different family breasts. And because going to the films is putting All Aboard, on February 2nd, Sunday, everyone fits into a film screen that features astronauts, animals saying goodbye to the fall or a diver who takes us deep into the seas.
Committed to the work it has started with schools in its latest editions, IndieJúnior Allianz is once again integrating film sessions programmed by Porto students on the return of the I Program a Film Festival cycle. Also held in partnership with educational institutions, during the festival opens the exhibition, Travel Echoes, with plastic works of preschool and 1st cycle students of OSMOPE, inspired by the images and messages of the program of short films Being Little (+ 3 years).
In parallel activities, this year’s program features chocolate cooking workshops, toy building, animation and drawing. On January 30th, at 6.30 pm, Casa Comum, the new space of the Rectory of the University of Porto receives a debate on the theme The challenge of talking about sex with young people, with the participation of Ana Rocha, Pedro Fernandes and Filipa Bizarro and moderation by Graça Lacerda. From Anne van Campenhout’s Foreplay, a fun and uncomplicated documentary on how sex education is done in a Dutch school, a conversation will be launched with the intention of coming up with answers that contribute to a better relationship with sex education, among others, parents and children, school and students.
IndieJúnior Allianz – Children’s Film Festival will be back in Porto from January 28 to February 2, 2020, with six days of film, workshops, conversations and other events for families and schools. Tickets are now available for purchase through BOL’s network (www.bol.pt). Special cinema screenings at the Tram Museum are now sold out.