KIDS FIRST! / IN THE LOOP Film Festival

CLOSING CEREMONY - CELEBRATING YOUNG CREATIVES

Expired September 27, 2021 3:45 AM
Already unlocked? for access
12 films + livestream in package
LILLY GOES TO THE DOGS
Lilly, a 10-foot tall orange monster, visits a the Victoria Dog Show, but her friend Fluffle gets sequestered in the mutt pen! Will Lilly take Best in Show?
THE DOG WHO BROUGHT HOME THE SUN
In the dead of winter with no food and resources, a dog seeks to catch the sun.
DEREK AND HIS BRICK
A twisted fairy tale with a hint of Edgar Allan Poe and a dash of Edward Gorey featuring the vocal talents of Claire Foy as the narrator.
DEEP FEARS
A sea otter who is afraid of the ocean is challenged to face his fears when he loses his precious pink shell necklace at sea.
DELIVERING SUNSHINE
This is a film about using our inner climate to help others and help bring about peace.
INTERFACE
A virtual reality obsessed loner must come to grips with the sudden intrusion of a live but illusive being in his otherwise orderly world.
RED JUNIOR AND THE WOLF
In a fairytale world, Red Riding Hood’s granddaughter is best friends with Wolfie, a young wolf. Granny Red doesn’t like wolves because of her past experience, but Wolfie is nothing like the infamous Big Bad Wolf.
RABBITS UNDER THE SHED
After a disagreement with her mom, 8-year-old Natalie runs away — all the way to her backyard, where she meets a family of rabbits and decides to move in with them.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
A lonely boy finds a girl's missing diary.
THE IMPOSSIBLE WAY
Want to save the planet? First save the cows.
LONELY WOODS
A short animated film about a dog living an abandoned town. One day when he is resting, the dog encounters a mysterious glowing orb that leads him on a journey into his past.
GROWING PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST
A seventh grader from New York is inspired by a visit to Sindyanna of Galilee in Israel - a unique non-profit organization led by a team of Arab and Jewish women working together to create social change from the ground up.
Meet the Creatives of Tomorrow
Meet the Creatives of Tomorrow
Recorded
This virtual screening is eligible for audience awards! Unlock it to cast your vote.

Young creatives are the filmmakers, screenwriters, composers, choreographers of tomorrow. Their vision of the world comes from 21st Century eyes, minds and hearts. Let's celebrate the last day of KIDS FIRST!'s 30th Anniversary by celebrating our young filmmakers.

A sea otter who is afraid of the ocean is challenged to face his fears when he loses his precious pink shell necklace at sea.


Juror comments: This is exactly the type of film that KIDS FIRST! loves! It is truly a delight. The student produced, animated film Deep Fears is wonderfully produced and shows a story of growth and personal change. Without using any words, the film is able to show the struggle of the sea otter that is afraid of the water and what he does to overcome it. It's easy to understand and fun to watch.


The story follows a sea otter that is afraid of water and is attacked by a crab and loses his necklace in the water. After he almost drowns getting it, he is rescued by a seal that helps get him accustomed to the water.


I like how this story is told without using any words, and I like how the sea otter overcomes his fear. The animation is quite lovely and portrays the sea otter quite well, especially its exaggerated expressions. My favorite camera shot is when the sea otter is about to drown and is saved by the seal. The entire film takes place on the seashore and in the sea. The background music is exquisite and really enhances the action. For example, in the beginning, it is sad music, which accompanies us seeing the sea otter being afraid of water. Later, at the end, there is happy music when he overcomes his fears.


The main two characters are the sea otter and the seal, both of which are animated. Ryan Chu directs and Joseph Bucsit creates the music. The crew on this film are all students and their work excels in every way. My favorite part of the film is seeing the sea otter poking and prodding at the water, as it really gives a sense of frustration and of fear.


The film's message is about overcoming one's fear, and how a friend in need is a friend indeed. The beautiful ending showing the two friends together, the otter and the seal, watching the sun set and their images in the sand says it all.


I give Deep Fears 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. Reviewed by Raj S., KIDS FIRST! Juror

  • Year
    2020
  • Runtime
    3:23
  • Language
    English
  • Country
    United States
  • Director
    Ryan Chu
  • Screenwriter
    Ryan Chu
  • Editor
    Reese Hanchadrick, Kyle Russell
  • Animator
    Izzat Marchi, Jonathan Thomas Yip, Kelly Juarez , Georgina Fang , Kenneth Cheung , Amro Emghaoech, Kristen Tan
  • Sound Design
    Harvey Carrasco
  • Music
    Joseph Bucsit