Children's Film Festival Seattle 2023

Folklore for a Future (Ages 8+)

Expired February 13, 2023 7:59 AM
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6 films in package
Arctic Song
"Arctic Song" is a short film of Inuit creation stories expressed through song and animation, based on the original artwork of Inuit artist, storyteller and co-director Germaine Arnattaujuq (Arnaktauyok).
Vojarinka
With no instrumental accompaniment, traditional dances and games of renewal are led by a "vojarinka," a female soloist, in the Slovenian town of Metlika. Today this is known as “Metliško obredje.”
Birth of Form (Kuumba Umbo)
One African mask speaks volumes about its own transformational origins, and the culture and heritage that produced it.
The Guardian Lion and Budaixi
For the longest time, the Guardian Lions and the gate gods of Fushun Temple have taken turns standing guard at the temple gates. Every year during the Lantern Festival, there is a lot of excitement in front of the temple—a fierce battle is enacted by the Guardian Lions in a Budaixi puppet show, but on this particular night, not a single person is watching.
Luisa and the Feathered Snake (Louise et la legende du Serpent à plumes)
Luisa, 9 years old, has just moved to Mexico City. When Keza, her beloved lizard, escapes in the streets of the city, Louise goes looking for him and meets Arturo. Together with the wrestler Diego, the two children will pursue Keza and allow him to be reincarnated as the Mexican god, Quetzalcoatl.
Our Lady Lupe
When 10-year-old Chico’s grandmother uses Lotería to teach him a lesson about tradition and family, he embarks on an adventure to find a way to make up for his selfish behavior. Along the way he meets a mechanic named Lupe, who may or may not be Our Lady of Guadalupe.

This block highlights folklore from cultures around the world, and centers storytelling to emphasize how shared creation stories, heritage, and tradition carry through into the lives we live today and bring us into community.


This program will also screen in person at NWFF on Saturday, Feb. 11 at noon! VIRTUAL, IN-PERSON, and HYBRID (virtual AND in-person) Festival Passes are available.


⚠️ Please note: NWFF patrons will be required to wear masks that cover both nose and mouth while in the building. Disposable masks are available at the door for those who need them. We are not currently checking vaccination cards. Read full COVID policies here.

Arctic Song, by Inuit artist, storyteller and co-director Germaine Arnattaujuq (Arnaktauyok), is an animated short about Inuit creation stories from the Iglulik region in Nunavut: the raven who brings daylight to the world, the giants who turn into mountains, and the animals that create shimmering constellations and the northern lights.


The film makes traditional knowledge accessible to younger generations by combining some of Arnattaujuq’s existing graphic art with animation and Inuktitut narration. The stories are sung in haunting tones that give the film a meditative beauty.


Arctic Song not only shares Inuit knowledge in Inuktitut, but highlights the rich world of Inuit art that has always flourished in the Canadian Arctic.

  • Year
    2021
  • Runtime
    6 minutes
  • Language
    Inuktitut
  • Country
    Canada
  • Premiere
    PNW
  • Note
    with English subtitles. CW: Implied death.
  • Director
    Germaine Arnattaujuq, Neil Christopher, Louise Flaherty
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