Children’s Film Festival Seattle

Published 8:00 am Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Pancakes and cartoons—what more could you ask for on a Saturday morning? This year’s Children’s Film Festival begins Friday with a live performance by Casper Babypants ($8-$10), then follows the pancake/animated shorts smorgasbord (at nearby Central Lutheran Church, $12.50 or $50 for four, 9:30 a.m.). One of the shorts, Marcel the Shell With Shoes On, a YouTube fave, features a socially awkward seashell who interviews himself. His answers are both mundane and droll. (“Do you want to see me talk on the phone?,” he asks.) Other highlights in the 10-day fest, which features 125 films from 29 different countries, include an English-language version of Jacques Tati’s Mon Oncle, a spotlight on Chinese animation, and a German action movie, The Crocodiles Strike Back, that reunites the band of adventuresome kids seen last year at CFF. But don’t worry, there are no actual crocodiles to frighten your kids. See NWFF website for full schedule and details. (NR) LAURA EASLEY

Fri., Jan. 28, 7 p.m.; Jan. 29-Feb. 6, 2011