Festival International du Film Pour Enfants de Montréal

An image from the film Capelito, Le Champignon Magique.

One of the activities happening over March break is the Festival International du Film Pour Enfants de Montréal, a roundup of children’s movies from around the world. Films range from 40-minute animated stories for those as young as two, to dramas for children age 12 and up. Though the vast majority of the films are presented in French, with French subtitles or narration, a few are English-language productions.

Skellig, the Owl Man (starring Tim Roth, the guy in the TV show Lie to Me), for age 7 and up, will be shown March 2 at 3:10 and March 4 at 3:35 p.m. It’s about a boy who is dealing with a new sibling and his family’s move to a dilapidated house. Then he discovers a mysterious creature living in a nearby shed who needs his help. Read full description. Watch the trailer.

Sam, 12 ans, Immortel (Ways to Live Forever), for age 8 and up, will be shown March 1 at 3:15, March 2 at 1:40 p.m. and March 3 at 3:15. The film is about an inquisitive boy who has leukemia, and wants to know the facts about dying. He decides to make a movie about his discoveries. Read full description.

For younger children, there are two films that have little dialogue, and are well-suited to most kids.

Capelito, Le Champignon Magique, for age 2 and up (40 minutes), from Spain, will be shown Feb. 27 at 10 a.m., March 1 and 3 at 9:45 a.m., and March 5 at 9:50 p.m. Read full description.

Le Criquet, for age 2 and up, 40 minutes, will be shown Feb. 28 at 9:55 a.m., March 2 at 9:45 a.m., March 4 at 9:35 a.m., and March 6 at 9:55 a.m. Read full description.

Festival International du Film Pour Enfants de Montréal
Schedule: Feb. 26 to March 6, 2011. See list of movies playing by age.
Address: The films are being shown at Cinéma Beaubien, 2396 Beaubien St.
Tickets are being sold at the Cinema’s online box office.