from TIFF

The TIFF Kids International Film Festival, one of the premier film festivals for children in North America, returns for its 17th year with a slate full of premieres of some of the best films from around the world for children aged 3 to 13 that will inspire and delight children and their families alike. The TIFF Kids Festival kicks off on Opening Night with the Canadian premiere of Rio 2, the all-star sequel to the smash-hit 2011 animated adventure, reuniting audiences with Blu and Jewel, voiced by Oscar® nominee Jesse Eisenberg and Oscar® winner Anne Hathaway, and wraps with the Closing Night Film The House of Magic, a gorgeously animated 3D feature from Belgium about a young abandoned cat who finds a new home in an enchanted mansion. All screenings and events take place at TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto from April 8 to 21, 2014.

“We are thrilled to be opening TIFF Kids Festival 2014 with the Canadian the world, innovative filmmakers are stretching the boundaries of premiere of the highly anticipated Rio 2, particularly as its international flavour speaks so perfectly to the global scope of the festival,” said Elizabeth Muskala, Director of TIFF Kids. “All over traditional children’s entertainment and addressing important issues in ways that are accessible to young audiences. This year, we have such films as Knight Rusty, an animated 3D adventure that speaks to the importance of recycling; I Swan, an inspirational drama from China about animal protection; and The Contest, which demonstrates how youth can address and overcome cultural stereotypes.”

Special guests will introduce films and be available for question-and-answer sessions following select screenings throughout the TIFF Kids Festival, with more guests to be announced in the coming weeks. Guests for 2014 include director, writer and creator of Rio and Rio 2 —as well as director of the three Ice Age films— Carlos Saldanha, and executive music producer —and musician— Sérgio Mendes who will engage with audiences at the Canadian Premiere of their latest film Rio 2. We are also pleased to announce the director of both African Safari and our Closing Night film House of Magic, Belgian director Ben Stassen.

TIFF Kids Festival 2014 features a total of 112 films, comprising 28 features and 84 shorts, hailing from 31 countries, including Australia, Germany, The Netherlands, Israel, China, Poland, Russia, and many more.

For the specific films click here