
Family & Young People
We hope our hand-picked selection of enchanting stories will encourage younger audiences to discover new horizons through festive adventures, mischievous animals, and heartwarming tales. A warning: all may develop an irresistible passion for cinema!
For each film we have included an age recommendation. For information on accessibility and sensory-friendly screenings, see: corkfilmfest.org/access
2024 Programme
FAMILY GALA: FOX AND HARE SAVE THE FOREST
Fiction, Recommended Age: 4+
Strange things are happening in the forest! In the morning after Fox and Hare’s party with their friends, Owl has disappeared, mischievous Rats are terrorising the neighbourhood, and an overflowing lake is threatening homes. Could this be the work of a megalomaniac beaver, desperate to be admired by others? Fox and Hare are determined to find out, rescue Owl and save their beloved forest!
It will put their friendship to the test. This highly entertaining and heartwarming adventure, enjoyable at all ages, truly has its heart in the right place: friendship and loyalty, solidarity, respect for differences, forgiveness and, last but not least, nature’s preservation.
This Gala will be introduced by Will Sliney (RTÉ Storytellers)
SF: This screening will have additional accessibility for young people with sensory sensitivities.
SAT 16 | EVERYMAN | 11:00

BAMBI, A TALE OF LIFE IN THE WOODS (BAMBI, L'HISTOIRE D'UNE VIE DANS LES BOIS)
Subtitled, Fiction, Recommended Age: 4+
A unique experience to share with your child(ren), ‘Bambi, the story of a life in the woods’ is adapted, like the Disney classic, from the book by Felix Salten. What it won’t share with the famous animated film though, is the bitter-sweet taste left by a story in which the depiction of loss was unusually intense for a family film. Michel Fessler’s film is gentler and features.. live animals!
A soft voiceover narration guides children through the cycle of life in the company of Bambi, a young fawn, surrounded by his mother and the animals of the forest: his friend the raven, the rabbit, the raccoon…
He discovers the world of trees and their secrets. Every day, his mother teaches him to grow up strong. But when autumn arrives, Bambi ventures out into the open when hunters separate him from his mother forever. From then on, Bambi has to learn to live on his own. Never too far away from his childhood friend Faline.
Friendship, respect and the discovery of oneself and others, as well as the notion of danger, are poetically explored in this film adaptation written as a hymn to nature.
SF: This screening will have additional accessibility for young people with sensory sensitivities.
SUN 10 | EVERYMAN | 11:00

THE MAGIC REINDEER - SAVING SANTA’S SLEIGH
Fiction, Recommended Age: 4+
In his third adventure, the flying reindeer boy Niko’s biggest dream is to become a member of Santa’s Flying Forces. But he gets challenged by the super talented reindeer girl Stella who shatters that dream. Niko has to decide between trust and loyalty.
After a tearful goodbye, Niko leaves his family behind to take his place next to his father, Prancer on Santa’s Flying Forces. For Niko, it’s a dream come true: to become a hero, like his father. But Stella an unknown challenger arrives, to compete for Niko’s spot. Despite their competitiveness, Niko admires her, and invites Stella to show her where Santa’s sleigh is hidden. However, on the night before Christmas Eve, Stella steals it. Gutted by Stella’s betrayal and desperate to appease his angry father, Niko heads to the Frozen North to recover the sleigh. Accompanied by his loyal friends, flying squirrel Julius and weasel Wilma. In the ensuing battle, between The Flying Forces and The Storm Forces. Niko and Stella split off to prevent the sleigh from being destroyed. As our heroes face grave danger, difficult choices are made that change Christmas forever.
The film’s co-producer Moe Honan will be attending the screening and will introduce it.
Relaxed Screening: This screening will have additional accessibility for young people with sensory sensitivities.
Also screening as part of Super Cine Saturday at Cinemax Bantry, Gate Midleton & Mallow, and the Regal Cinema Youghal on Saturday 16th November.
SAT 9 | EVERYMAN | 11:00

PADDINGTON IN PERU
Fiction, Recommended Age: PG (8+)
Sensory-Friendly Special Event Screening with Surprise Activities!
A little bear goes a long way! Paddington In Peru brings Paddington back home to the Peruvian jungle to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, now a resident at the Home for Retired Bears. With the Brown Family and Mrs Bird in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mysterious disappearance plunges them into an unexpected journey from the Amazon rainforest to the mountain peaks of Peru.
SF: This screening will have additional accessibility for young people with sensory sensitivities.
FRI 8 | ARC CINEMA | 17:30

YOUNG HEARTS
Subtitled, Fiction, Recommended Age: 11+
In the middle of the school year, 14-year-old Elias meets his new neighbour Alexander, a boy from Brussels who seems self-confident and headstrong. The two quickly hit it off. Alexander asks Elias if he has a girlfriend – and reveals without hesitation that he’s into boys himself. Elias enjoys spending time with Alexander but keeps his burgeoning feelings to himself. Afraid of the reactions of those around him, he becomes entangled in a web of lies until he no longer knows how to extricate himself apart from to push Alexander away. Elias feels completely alone. However, after a heartfelt conversation with his grandfather about how much he loved his deceased wife, Elias realises that love is too precious to let it slip away.
With his debut feature, Belgian filmmaker Anthony Schatteman wanted to make the film that his 13-year-old self would have wanted, and needed, to see. He might have missed this heartwarming message of kindness and acceptance at the time, but generously gifts it today to the teens and parents who will be lucky to watch this festival favourite.
SF: This screening will have additional accessibility for young people with sensory sensitivities.
SAT 9 | TRISKEL | 15:45
MON 11 | TRISKEL | 14:30

FAMILY-FRIENDLY SHORTS
Fiction
A specially selected film programme for tots up to early teens.
MASSEY’S DRIVE – Eoin MacAlinney
COQUILLE – Justine Aubert, Cassandra Bouton, Grégoire Callies, Maud Chesneau, Anna Danton, Loic Girault, Gatien Peyrude, Justine Raux
PUFFERFISH – Julia Ocker
RHINO – Julia Ocker
MILO’S MELTDOWN – Jamie Mills
HOMEWORK – Nacho Arjona
#DOUDOUCHALLENGE – Julie Majcher, Alexandra Delaunay-Fernandez, Sixtine Emerat, Marine Benabdallah-Crolais, Scott Pardailhé-Galabrun, Noémie Segalowicz
FREAK OF NATURE – Alexandra Lermer
DANCE, YOU ARE ALIVE (CELEBRATING
WORLD PEACE) – Mythravarun Vepakomma
SF: This screening will have additional accessibility for young people with sensory sensitivities.
SUN 17 | ARC CINEMA | 14:30
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