Melissa Russell
Ellen Gitelman is over the moon.
The executive director of Belmont World Film has been fielding more calls and questions about the upcoming World Film Family Festival than she has in the entire 21-year history of the event.
“I’ve never seen so much interest in the festival before,” she said. “I’m not sure how the word is getting out.”
True to its name, the family festival features full-length and short international films for young audiences. It was canceled during the pandemic, and last year’s turnout was disappointing. But this year, advance tickets are selling beyond expectation, and to mainly new buyers, Gitelman said.
She sees it as a triumph for the festival, which started as a daylong program, and grew to a series over a couple of weekends, and then branched out to several theaters after the closure of the Belmont Studio Cinema.
“That’s when we realized we could have it in more than one location and still have an audience,” Gitelman said.
Over the years, the festival has included live events and podcasts, and once it settled on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, programming has included themes related to King’s mission and message.
“Every year, we have new people introducing children to the ideals of Martin Luther King Jr.,” she said.
Running from Jan. 13 through 21, the festival is hosting showings at Apple Cinemas and Brattle Theatre in Cambridge, the West Newton Cinema, the Regent Theatre in Arlington plus a workshop on camera techniques at the Belmont Media Center. Short films will be shown virtually on Jan. 20 and 21.
This year’s theme, “Where Stories Come Alive,” is based on best-loved children’s books, Gitelman said.
Attendees will find stories about sea monsters, dogs, lions, snails, whales, free-range chickens and even a giant porcupine. Some are old favorites and a couple have never been seen before. Sponsors include Dutch Culture USA, which promotes the arts through the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in New York; the Norwegian Consulate General; and the Quebec Delegation of Boston.
“There are a lot of international people in the area, and the consulates are helping to spread the word,” Gitelman said.
In addition to showcasing a compilation of new, never-before-seen films, the festival is sharing classics from Weston Woods Studios, celebrating 70 years of producing films based on children’s literature, including “Chrysanthemum” by Kevin Henks, narrated by Meryl Streep and “Sylvester and the Magic Pebble” by William Steig.
“How do Dinosaurs Say Goodbye?” by Jane Yolen and “Chez Bob” by Bob Shea, narrated by John Lithgow, about an alligator who opens a restaurant for birds (on his nose) will be making U.S. premiere at the festival.
This year, for the first time, there will be two post-film discussions – one with the deaf actors of OKTHANKSBYE with American Sign Language interpretation, and another about immigrants and dual nationalities.
“This is the first time the kids will have a chance to ask questions and respond to the films,” Gitelman said.
“It is great to show films from other countries,” she said. “When people come out to see them they are so enthused – it is something families share and never forget,” she said.
A program of short films honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for ages 5 to 12 will be shown Jan. 15.
While advance ticket sales have been robust, Gitelman said there are plenty of seats left, and she urged Belmont residents to join in the fun.
“There is a lot of truth in these films. They tell great stories and are not reliant on special effects,” she said. “The common theme is kids putting themselves on the line to achieve something they really want. They show how ingenious kids can be. Children can see that kids in other cultures aren’t really that different – they have other practices, but similar feelings,” she said.
Visit the festival website for the full film and workshop schedule as well as ticket and family pass information, where you can also see film trailers.