Acclaimed Children’s Film Festival to Premiere at the Saint Louis Zoo

At the Saint Louis Zoo, kids have the chance to get up close and personal with their favorite animals. But starting Jan. 28, they’ll also be able to see many of their furry friends’ stories on the big screen as the Zoo plays host to the Big Eyes, Big Minds: St. Louis International Children’s Film Festival.

Held at the Anheuser-Busch Theater in The Living World, Big Eyes, Big Minds features a series of internationally-renowned children’s films, made for kids, about kids and sometimes by kids. Specially curated for children ages 2 through 18, these delightful masterpieces not only inspire the littlest film lovers, but engage older fans.

It’s the rich, diverse storytelling of each film that inspired Big Eyes, Big Minds founder Mabel Gan to bring them to a St. Louis audience.

“One aspect of the Festival which I personally love is that it showcases many wonderful independent films which would otherwise not be able to find an audience,” she said. “Aside from professionally-made films, we also showcase films which are made by kids or first-time filmmakers, and while they may be a bit raw, it’s this rawness that makes them special. What I love about independent films is that they’re made by people who are passionate about their stories.”

An international hit opens in the Midwest

For Gan, the inaugural St. Louis event is her second venture in the festival arena. The Florida State University film school graduate made her splash in her home country of Singapore, first working for a film distribution company and then as a TV writer and producer.

After attending a children’s film festival in Australia with her young son, Gan was inspired to launch her own festival in Singapore. Her extensive background in the film industry and her dedication paid off – in 2010, the first Singapore Children’s International Film Festival premiered to the delight of families.

Said Gan, “It’s been so heartening to watch the Festival grow over the past seven years and see the kids grow along with it. The ones who were attending the films for 2 to 5-year-olds are now watching the ones for 6 to 10-year-olds. We have the same families coming back year after year.”

With her success in Singapore, Gan decided to replicate the Festival in St. Louis to grow film appreciation and increase media literacy skills among area youth. She found the perfect fit with the Saint Louis Zoo.

Because almost every film features animals, the Festival series enriches the educational experience for young Zoo attendees. In fact, after each screening, Zoo Education Department staff will offer a range of crafts and activities related to the stars to immerse filmgoers more deeply into the stories.

A line-up geared especially to families

With a variety of films presented, there’s something every member of the family will love. Each program includes a series of eight to 11 films, between two and 27 minutes long, and includes a mix of traditional animation, short fiction and documentaries.

Little Big Adventures, Jan. 28 and Feb. 18, 9:30 a.m. 10:15 a.m.
For ages 2 to 7
In these acclaimed short features, characters explore their worlds and learn from their adventures. The series includes everything from stop-motion magic to beloved stories from authors like Sandra Boynton and Mo Willems.

My Furry Friends, Feb. 4 and 25, 9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
For ages 2 to 7
These charming films, curated for the Festival’s youngest filmgoers, explore friendships from the moment they’re formed to the times friends must depend on each other when the going gets tough.

Deer Me!, Jan. 28 and Feb. 18, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
For ages 5 and up
Perfect for the animal lovers in your life, the series captures the unexpected adventures of opossums, chickens and goats, and encourages your little ones to learn more about their favorite creatures.

Superhero Surprise, Feb. 4 and 25, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
For ages 5 and up
Perfect for sparking conversation among kids and parents alike, Superhero Surprise tags along as characters triumph over challenges in their lives to find their place in the world.

Remarked Gan, “We picked films that are fun and relatable to families. And by showing international films, we’re offering kids a window to the world outside St. Louis. It’s great to see families bond over the films, laugh about them in the theater, and then talk about them afterwards. That was the experience I enjoyed with my son and why I wanted to start a Festival of my own.”

On Friday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m., the Festival welcomes animator Jacob Frey for a free presentation. An award-winning filmmaker in his own right, Frey has worked on family favorites like Moana and Zootopia. During this special event, he’ll display his early sketches and show how ideas transform into what we see on the big screen. In addition, after Superhero Surprise on Feb. 25, which features three of his short films, Frey will stick around for a Q&A with the audience.

Tickets to Big Eyes, Big Minds: St. Louis International Children’s Film Festival are available on the morning of each event, and are $10 per person. Children ages 2 and under are free. To learn more about the Festival, watch a preview, and read a synopsis of each featured film, visit www.bigeyesbigminds.com/stl-zoo.