8th Annual Children's Film Fest at Northbrook Library
11 Short Films from 8 Countries
5 Premieres!


What a Wonderful World
Let’s look on the bright side and celebrate our wonderful world! You’ll be awed by a young girl’s imagination in Hanami (USA), and inspired by the power of ancient Cree story-telling in Wâhkôhtowin (Canada). Then laugh out loud as a clever little dinosaur outsmarts the bullies in Bellysaurus (Australia).
What a Wonderful World features eleven films from eight countries, including: El Charango (Italy), Wings (USA), Wâhkôhtowin (All My Relations) (Canada), Hamsa (USA), Bellysaurus (Australia), Hanami (USA), Andy: A Dog’s Tale (USA/Serbia), Dawn (USA/Germany), Spirit of the Forest (India), Charlie and the Hunt (USA), o28 (France).
Best of the Fest WINNER
Congratulations to director Jamy Wheless, whose uplifting film, Andy: A Dog’s Tale won Best of the Fest at the 8th annual Northbrook Library ICFilmFest! Andy tells the story of a spirited puppy who overcomes obstacles to become a service dog for a young girl. One young voter wrote, “The movie shows that we shouldn’t give up if we want to help people.”

The Films

El Charango
Italy, 2022, 3 min.
Directed by: Paola Luciani
A traditional Andean folktale about how the armadillo became a beautiful stringed instrument called the charango. In Italian w/ English subtitles.
US Premiere!

Wings
USA, 2019, 6 min.
Director: Casey McDonald
A friendship blossoms between an injured bird and a mouse who wants to fly. Non-verbal.
Chicago Premiere!
Meet the Director at the Q&A

Wâhkôhtowin (All My Relations)
Canada, 2021, 6 min.Directed by: Barry Bilinsky
A grandmother speaks to her grandchildren about the power of storytelling in indigenous cultures. She tells the story of creation and how the ancestors are always with them. In English and Cree.
Meet the Director at the Q&A

Hamsa
USA, 2020, 5 min.
Director: Daniela Dwek
On a trip to the market, a mother and daughter discover that the people they were afraid of are kind and helpful. In English.

Bellysaurus
Australia, 2021, 8 min.
Director: Philip Watts
After getting picked on by his peers, a young dinosaur finds an unlikely friend. Non-verbal.
Meet the Director at the Q&A

Hanami
USA, 2020, 4 min.
Directed by: Lisa Maeda
A young girl in a Japanese internment camp during World War II creates a beautiful world of flowers and color in her journal. Non-verbal.

Andy: A Dog’s Tale
USA/Serbia, 2023, 7 min.
Directed by: Jamy Wheless
An uplifting story about how a puppy overcomes a series of obstacles to find his purpose in life. Non-verbal.
Chicago Premiere!
Meet the Director at the Q&A

Dawn
USA, Germany, 2021, 4 mins.
Directed by: Timon Birkhofer
Five unique individuals take us on a journey where their achievements shine beyond preconceived ideas of what is possible. Non-verbal. Chicago premiere!
Meet the Director at the Q&A

Spirit of the Forest
India, 2022, 7 min.
Directed by: Nirupa Rao
A little girl learns about an ancient swamp from its spirit, taking her through history and teaching her the importance of the forest. In Kannada with English subtitles.

Charlie and the Hunt
USA, 2022, 15 min.
Directed by: Jenn Shaw
A girl goes on an adventure to face her fears and recover a family treasure. In English and ASL with English subtitles.
Meet the Director at the Q&A

o28
France, 2019, 5 mins.
Directed by: Otalia Caussé, Geoffroy Collin, Louise Grardel, Antoine Marchand, Robin Merle, Fabien Meyran
In Lisbon, a German married couple is about to ride the legendary n°28 tramway when the brakes let go and take them on an adventurous race – with a baby on board. Non-verbal. Chicago premiere!
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