The New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF) showed a lot of movies in 2021 — here is a review roundup.
The show must go on! And that is what the New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF) has done in 2021, becoming an all virtual festival with lots of great children’s films, question and answer sessions, and special events. My daughters and 8 and 9 years old and they loved attending with me this year, and getting to check out some new movies AND learning all about them through the people who created them.
NYICFF 2021 Reviews
Here is a review roundup of the ones that we were able to see during NYICFF 2021.
The Bears’ Famous Invasion
About:
Based on the Italian book and beautifully animated in warm Meditteranean colors and bold shapes, this feature from Cannes is a whimsical allegory. Our narrators, an old storyteller and his young apprentice, the delightful Almeria, frame this wondrous tale of the great bear king Léonce and his clan. To find his lost son Tonino and food to survive the winter, he leads them down from the mountains and into the world of humans. The bears and humans exist together in peace – for a time.
Review:
I was immediately sucked in by the gorgeous animation and remained interested because of the story. While there are moments where I glanced at my children, wondering if it was too much for them, overall this remains a great movie for kids and adults alike. There is a positive message about protecting nature and animals here, and even with a bit of a rushed third act, it comes across.
Calamity
About:
It’s 1863 and 12-year-old Martha Jane and her family are headed West across the United States in search of a better life. After her father is hurt in a serious accident, she takes charge of her siblings and learns to drive the family wagon. Utterly practical and bold, Martha Jane trades her constricting skirts for the ease of boys’ breeches and never looks back. Her unconventional style and brazenness don’t sit well with the pioneer community, and when the leader of the convoy wrongly accuses her of theft, she must run away to find proof of her innocence. In the Wild, she discovers herself and a world which shapes her into the mythical and mysterious Calamity Jane.
Review:
Calamity is a beautifully done animated film that showcases girl power. I love the lessons that it teaches my young daughters about rising up and becoming your own person. The setting of the wild west is a great way to show that there were strong young women back then too. The story is beautiful and although it drags here and there, it is a powerful watch for girls.
Beans
About:
In the summer of 1990, Beans, a sweet and studious twelve-year-old Mohawk girl, is suddenly forced to grow up fast and become her own kind of warrior when a land occupation battle creates a fierce stand-off between her indigenous community and the government. Torn between innocent childhood and reckless adolescence, she struggles to build her own identity amidst the chaos of the uprising and the injustice of a world that sees her as different even in her own land. Will she succumb to the pressures of a society intent on bringing her down? Or will she rise up to assert her strength and character?
Review:
A great coming of age, girl power, type movie that I was happy to watch with my 8 and 9 year old. I was afraid some parts would be a bit too intense for them, but they persevered and rather enjoyed it — especially my eldest.
Sisters: The Summer We Found Our Superpowers
About:
Vega, 9, and her wild sister Billie, 5, are going on an overnight outdoor hike in the lush Norwegian woods. The trip is full of exciting climbs, silly jokes, and happy trekking until Dad pulls one acrobatic stunt too many, falling into a cave and injuring his leg badly. Unable to move, he asks Vega and Billie to get help. Anxiously retracing their steps, they know that everything depends on them now, as Vega tries to keep them focused on the goal despite setbacks, surprises, and Billie’s many distractions. They bravely face their fears, discover their superpowers, and find strength in their sisterhood.
Review:
Perhaps I am a bit biased on this one because I have two young daughters, and watching this film with them, but I rather quite enjoyed this one. The girls are off on an adventure together, and the movie does a great job of showcasing the strength that young women can have, as well as the unbreakable bond of sisters.
The Fantastic Journey of Margot & Marguerite
About:
Marguerite and Margot have a lot in common: both are 12 years old and missing their fathers. The one big difference? One lives in 1942, the other in 2020. Or at least that’s the case until the discovery of a magical trunk in an attic that sends them traveling through time. Margot and Marguerite have something else in common: their father is no longer there, one vanished during World War II, the other is not living at home. With 70 years apart, they’re embarking in a wild adventure to find their present, explore history and their families’ memories, and not least of all manage the transition to becoming teens!
Review:
The premise of this movie had me very intrigued, but unfortunately it fell quite flat for me. This is a story that has been told a thousand times, and usually much better than this. The pacing was off for me and although it isn’t a long movie, it felt long — which is never a good thing. Time travel needs to really work in a movie and for this one, it just didn’t. A shame, because I was quite excited for this one.
Jackie & Oopjen
About:
Twelve-year-old Jackie has made Amsterdam’s world famous Rijksmuseum her second home since her mother is always busy at her job there. As Jackie wanders the museum after hours, Oopjen Coppit, the woman depicted in Rembrandt’s famous 1634 painting, suddenly steps out of the canvas and into the middle of the gallery. Used to keeping her cool and problem solving, Jackie instantly decides to take Oopjen under her wing and help her search for her missing sister. Oopjen, a woman from the Golden Age, finds the 21st century to be a big adventure while Jackie finally finds a true friend.
Review:
A fun, but mediocre, film. There were a lot of moments that I enjoyed, and I did laugh out loud a few times, however nothing really stood out for me either. My youngest daughter was bored, but my 9 year old says she really likes this movie, and would watch it again.
The Legend of Hei
About:
With an inky black coat, adorable mewl, and eyes as big as saucers, Xiao Hei is the cutest feline around. But don’t let his good looks fool you, he’s more than just a cat. When he meets up with a motley band of spirits—creatures and human-like beings with superhuman powers—Hei finds that he, too, is a spirit and shapeshifts from cat to kid form. His new friends train and challenge him in the warrior spirit arts, with the pressing goal of saving their beloved forest from developers destroying it in this lushly rendered tale. Evoking Studio Ghibli’s ecological fables, The Legend of Hei is a winsome combination of heart, soul, fantasy, and an extraordinary adventure.
Review:
The Legend of Hei is a family friendly animated movie that teaches some great life lessons about accepting those who are different than you, as well as being kind to nature. Because of the animation style and the morals about nature, this film gives off serious Studio Ghibli vibes. There are some really incredible action scenes, and although it goes a bit off course in the final act, it is still more than worth watching. Full Review.
Raya and the Last Dragon
About:
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” travels to the fantasy world of Kumandra, where humans and dragons lived together in harmony long ago. But when an evil force threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, that same evil has returned and it’s up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the legendary last dragon to restore the fractured land and its divided people.
Review:
Raya and the Last Dragon is a hilarious, visually stunning, action-packed adventure. The movie is heartwarming and absolutely beautiful. When you aren’t laughing or cheering Raya on in a fight, you will probably be wiping the tears away from your eyes. Raya is full of spunk and sass, but she is missing something — being able to trust. Full Review.
Flora & Ulysses
About:
Disney’s “Flora & Ulysses” is a delightful comedy-adventure based on the Newbery Award-winning book about 10-year old Flora, an avid comic book fan and a self-avowed cynic, whose parents have recently separated. After rescuing a squirrel she names Ulysses, Flora is amazed to discover he possesses unique superhero powers which take them on an adventure of humorous complications that ultimately change Flora’s life–and her outlook–forever.
Review:
This movie is about hope, family, and never giving up — on yourself or others. Flora & Ulysses finds a way to perfectly balance the heartwarming story, hilarious moments, and superheroes. Every member of this cast brings something great to the table, and there were moments where I was holding my sides because I was laughing so hard. This film is such a joy to watch, and something the whole family is sure to love! Full Review.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.