Northwest Film Forum

One decision, one friend, and one family member at a time, the characters in these animated and live-action films find their way forward. Join them as they right wrongs, remember the past, protect the future, and live in the present with joy and determination.

This program includes films from Spain, Italy, USA, Iran, UK, Belgium, Austria, and Chile.

Watch all of this year’s films with a festival pass (starting at $30) or purchase tickets to individual film programs (starting at $5). Pricing is on a sliding scale, and we encourage you to pay what you are able—all ticket and pass sales go to support BAM Education, helping to ensure the future of BAM’s adventurous programming for families and students. 

All events and workshops associated with the Festival are free and open to all. 

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Piccolino: An Adventure in the City (2020)

Dir. Giovanni Maccelli, 12min

Spain

In Spanish

Piccolino is a worm that lives happily inside an apple in the countryside, until one day he goes outside to discover that his apple is no longer in an orchard and he is no longer in the country!

Oltre I Giganti (2020)

Dir. Marco Renda, 9min

Italy

Nonverbal

A Don Quixote keeps repeating his fight against windmills, but a child—with a dreamy and pure gaze on the same windmills—makes him understand that he is free.

Yuan Yuan & the Hollow Monsters (2020)

Dir. Catherine Chen, 7min

USA

In English

Eight-year-old Yuan Yuan is determined to protect her newest pet, a tiny turtle named Lucy, at all costs—even if it means chasing down a massive hurricane called the Hollow Monster.

Rainbow (2020)

Dir. Mohammad Khalili, 11min

Iran

In Farsi

After a little flower salesman does something wrong for his client, he regrets his behavior and tries to make up for his mistake.

Rehak (2020)

Dir. Pierre B, 7min

UK

In English

North American Premiere

A young girl discovers the magical world of Rehak, who is a drawing on her bedroom wall.

Traces (2019)

Dir. Sébastien Pins, 12min

Belgium

In French

We see the life of a logger and his horse deep in the Ardennes forest and the way traditions are passed through generations.

Kapaemahu (2019)

Dirs. Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer & Joe Wilson, 8min

USA

In Olelo Niihau

The story of four Mahu—people neither male nor female—who brought the healing arts to ancient Hawaii. Kapaemahu is a moolelo, a Hawaiian word that is often translated as “story, “tale,” or “myth,” but is also defined as “history,” “chronicle,” or “record.” 

Circus Movements (2019)

Dirs. Lukas Berger & Mário Gajo de Carvalho, 15min

Austria

Nonverbal

New York Premiere

Circus culture is a space of diversity, cooperation, and integration—a magical space with real people. In this film, Ethiopian kids Liya, Beza, Habtamnesh, and Beniyam perform acrobatics amidst the backdrop of their beautiful country. 

The Promise (2020)

Dir. Chi Thai, 7min

UK

In English

This urban fairy tale plays out on the mean streets of a mean city. A young thief tries to snatch an old woman’s bag, but she cannot have it without giving something in return: a promise. It sparks a journey that changes her life and gives her a chance to change the world for good.

Monster Sitter (2019)

Dirs. Elena Beatrice & Daniele Lince, 5min

Italy

In Italian

In a world where lake monsters exist, we follow the daily life of Giacomo Rosetti, who takes care of Isy, the monster of Lake Iseo. 

The Boy and the Mountain (2020)

Dirs. Santiago Aguilera & Gabriel Monreal, 11min

Chile

In Spanish

Hernán is a child who likes to fantasize about climbing mountains, but as he grows up, he realizes how hard it is to fulfill his goals. Still, he keeps putting one foot in front of another to get to the top.