Festival to screen kid films not found at the multiplex

Entertaining movies for children are often available at area movie theaters, but it's more difficult to find screenings of high-quality, international films locally.

Weston producer, and mother of two, Annette Mendiratta decided to change that by launching Fairfield County's first KidzFlix Children's International Film Festival this weekend.

Held at the Fairfield Community Theatre in downtown Fairfield, the festival will include an assortment of animated and "short" films geared toward young people, ranging from preschoolers up to 18-year-olds.

Kicking off the festival on Friday night is the premiere of an Academy Award-nominated film, "The Secret of Kells." Directed by Tomm Moore, and starring Brendan Gleeson (seen in "Harry Potter" and "In Bruges"), Mick Lally, Evan McGuire and Christen Mooney, the charming animated story explores the world of magic, fantasy and mythology.

"It's a fantastic film," said Mendiratta. "These are all wonderful films that children do not often have the opportunity to see, yet they, too, need a platform. Many of these film makers have dedicated their lives to producing these high-quality films and they should be viewed and appreciated."

On Saturday, the lobby of the Community Theatre at Post and Unquowa roads will be filled with live entertainment, including music and costumed characters. Balloons and face painting will also be offered.

"We plan to have a real carnival atmosphere," said Mendiratta. "This is not a fancy affair. We are a real grassroots effort and this festival was put on by local people for local people." She said that she appreciates the support she received from the community, especially the festival's volunteer corps.

"It may have been my vision initially, but it's been a real community effort," Mendiratta said. "It's the volunteers and the filmmakers who made it all work. I couldn't have done a thing without them. Everyone said `yes,' which has never before happened on any venture that I've undertaken before."

An experienced media professional, Mendiratta previously produced the World Music Awards and the Film and Music Festival in Monaco. She credits her two young daughters, now 4 and 8, though, with the idea for establishing a children's international film fest in Fairfield County.

"They asked me one day, `What about us? Why can't we have a film festival for children?' " Mendiratta recalled.

Her response was, "Why not? What a great idea!"

Using relationships that she forged working in the film industry, Mendiratta said it was easy to find films to be showcased in the three-day event. "People basically knew me and trusted me and said I could have whatever I wanted," she explained. "This made it easy to put together."

Films included in this weekend's festival are either award-winning movies that have been featured in children's film festivals during the past two years or were personally selected for inclusion by Mendiratta.

One of the "shorts" that will be screened showcases the talents of Fairfield resident Sophie O'Brien.

Sophie, an 8-year-old who attends North Stratfield Elementary School, recorded the voice of "Sonja" for the film version of Mo Willem's children's book, "Knuffle Bunny, Too." She was asked to be part of the project by Steven Syarto, a sound engineer at Scholastic Videos/Weston Woods, producer of the film. The two families met when their children attended the same preschool program in Fairfield.

"We were fans of both of the Knuffle Bunny books even before we were approached about being part of the video," Aimee O'Brien, Sophie's mother, explained.

The voiceover was recorded two years ago when Sophie was 6. Although the youngster was initially apprehensive about speaking into a microphone, her mother said, she warmed up after doing several practice runs with Syarto.

"He really helped her to feel more comfortable," O'Brien said. "They do so well with kids there. Sophie was very proud of herself in the end."

"Knuffle Bunny, Too" will be screened at 2 p.m. Saturday in Theater 2.

Along with Sophie, O'Brien plans to take her two sons, Otto, 4, and Ben, 6, to see "Knuffle Bunny, Too" and possibly a few other films. "We want to see as many as we can because I really want to support this outstanding effort," O'Brien said. "Sophie is thrilled to be part of it."

The films will run continuously on the two screens at Fairfield Community Theatre. For a complete list of films and the screening schedule, go to www.kidzflix.com.

The KidzFlix Children's International Film Festival will culminate with an awards ceremony at 6 p.m. Sunday. In lieu of trophies, the winning filmmakers will receive paintings, sculptures and photographic artwork donated by area artists., including Miggs Burroughs of Westport, Elisa Khachian of Fairfield, and Leslie Giuliano, Audrey Klotz and Drew Klotz of Weston.

After each screening, children and adults will be able to vote for the festival's "most popular film."

Sponsors of the first annual KidzFlix Children's International Film Festival are CancerCare of Connecticut, the Community Theatre Foundation, Molto, TargetTraining, Chase Bank, Harry's Wine and Liquor and Filmscool, a program designed to expose inner-city high school students to the world of filmmaking. Mendiratta said this will be the first time the students' films will be viewed by the public.

"It's a great program that teaches young people how to make and edit films," she said.

For more information about the KidzFlix Children's International Film Festival and a screening schedule, go to www.kidzflix.org. Admission is $7 for children, ages 6 to 18, and $9 for adults. Tickets are available through the festival's website and on the day of the screenings.