Northbrook Library ICFilmFest
2026
11 Short Films from 10 Countries
7 Premieres!
Take a cine-magical odyssey with eleven enchanting films from ten countries – featuring seven premieres! These whimsical stories celebrate culture, compassion, and connection. Cheer for Dr. Supernova’s spunky daughter as she teaches her dad an important lesson in Dr. Supernova’s Evil Plan (USA), cherish a budding friendship in Bouquet (France), and marvel at the superpowers of an unusual family in The Spadina House (Canada). Then get the giggles when a hedgehog loses a quill in Pain in the Butt (Germany, Croatia).
Magical Adventures includes: Bouquet (France), Seagull Coffee (USA), The Sound Collector: Float Your Boat (UK, Italy), The Alchemist’s Apprentice (Iran), Nakatuenitam – Innu Aitun (Preserve Our Culture) (Canada), Steps (Russia), The Spadina House (Canada), A Pain in the Butt (Germany, Croatia) The Piano (Spain), Equinox (France) and Dr. Supernova’s Evil Plan (USA).
The Films
Bouquet
France, 2023, 3 min.
Directed by: Cécile Robineau
As they share their fascination with flowers, a friendship blooms between a young girl and an elderly woman. In French with English subtitles.
Chicago Premiere.
Seagull Coffee
USA, 2025, 4 min.
Directed by: Yunqing Pan
A young girl opens the café window for a coffee-loving seagull and throws her older sister’s barista shift into chaos. In English.
The Sound Collector – Float Your Boat
UK, Italy, 2023, 5 min.
Directed by: Lisa Arioli, Andy Burns, Barry Purves, Chris Tichborne
A child collects the lively sounds of nature along a stream during a boating adventure. In English. Keira Knightley narrates.
The Alchemist’s Apprentice
Iran, 2024, 7 min.
Directed by: Erfan Parsapour
A young apprentice tries to improve his mentor’s masterpiece without getting in trouble. Non-verbal.
US Premiere.
Nakatuenitam – Innu Aitun (Preserve Our Culture)
Canada, 2024, 6 min.
Directed by: Edouard Kaltush
An Innu elder teaches three children in the community to weave snowshoes and fish for lobster during low tide. In Innu with English subtitles.
Chicago Premiere.
Steps
Russia, 2022, 9 min.
Directed by: Tatiana Moshkova, Marina Moshkova
A grumpy monk learns about kindness when he comes down from his church tower to get water for his beloved lemon tree. In Italian with English subtitles.
Chicago Premiere.
The Spadina House
Canada, 2019 2 min.
Directed by: Taso Alexander
In the mysterious Spadina family, every has a strange superpower except…Dad?? Non-verbal.
Chicago Premiere.
A Pain in the Butt
Germany, Croatia, 2025, 5 min.
Directed by: Elena Walf
Hedgehog is about to go into hibernation when he notices that one of his spines is missing. It’s stuck in a dog’s bottom and getting it back won’t be easy. Nonverbal.
Chicago Premiere.
The Piano
Spain, 2023, 8 min.
Directed by: Avery Kroll
A young girl discovers her father playing piano at night, inspiring a loving connection that lasts for generations. Nonverbal.
Equinox
France, 2024, 6 min.
Directed by: Anissa Cugniet, Adama Diallo Gibert, Marius Joffray, Jérémy Julien, Xia Mellano, Gaëlle Pandraux, Noa Rosa Calatrava, Marama Tatarata, Melissa Unal.
Hua, the dragon guardian of spring, becomes impatient for Spring to begin, forcing a showdown with the fierce turtle guardian of winter.
Dr. Supernova’s Evil Plan
USA, 2026, 15 min.
Directed by: Adam Yuster
A supervillain’s evil scheme for universal domination is toppled by a surprise visit from his bubbly 10-year-old daughter.
World Premiere.
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