Films bring world to Amazement Square

Amazement Square is calling it the first International Children’s Film Festival, but it’s really for adults, too.

The festival, which is being held today though Sunday, covers a range of cultures, genres, themes and time periods, according to Amazement Square President and CEO Mort Sajadian. (For details, see schedule below.)

It starts in the United States with “I May Not Get There With You.” Students examine the progress of Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream in a hip-hop generation by exploring MLK boulevards around the country — with a chance for audiences to talk afterward with directors Charneice Fox and Nigel Greaves.

“You just don’t get that kind of experience every day,” says Diana Thompson, director of marketing at Amazement Square.

The festival continues in Iran with “Persepolis,” a graphic coming-of-age film about an Iranian girl that’s set during the Iranian Revolution. It will be followed by a discussion with local Iranian students and residents about growing up in Iran and in the U.S.

Another festival event, Fuse Ensemble, brings music and video together. Fuse violinist Greg Hiser and a group of musicians who have performed at the Kennedy Center will perform, then audience members will be invited to join in on instruments wired to make video special effects.

All films have complementary programs because, as Thompson says, “that’s where the learning starts.”

The Virginia Commission for the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts and Greater Lynchburg Trust provided funding.

All screenings and programs will take place in Amazement Square’s Education Warehouse at 23 Ninth St. Suggested donation for an individual pass is $3; festival, $15; four festival passes, $40; and members, $10 for everyone on the card.

For more information, visit http://www.amazementsquare.com.

Schedule
Sept. 17
4:30 and 6 p.m.: “I May Not Get There With You” See above
7:15 p.m.: “Persepolis” (Iran/France) See above

Sept. 18
5:30 p.m.: The Art of Latin America Workshop
7 p.m.: “La Misma Luna” (Mexico) Unexpected circumstances drive mother Rosario and her 9-year-old son, Carlitos, to embark on their own journeys in a desperate attempt to reunite.

Sept. 19
10:30 a.m.: Shorts Series on Animation; “The Sweater” (Canada), “Get Bizzy” (Scotland), “Mi Radio” (Mexico)
11:30 a.m. Get Animated! Workshop
1 pm Fuse Ensemble (See above)
3 p.m.: Shorts Series on Girl Power; “The Girl Who Hated Books” (Canada), “Zhiharka” (Russia), “Good Girl” (Norway)
6 p.m.: Introduction to Drawing; Japanese Manga-Anime
7 p.m.: “Spirited Away” (Japan) The fantastical story of a young girl’s adventure to save her family from a mysterious town.

Sept. 20
1:30 p.m.: Shorts Series on Magical Mysteries; “Journey to Mars” (Argentina), “The Great Zambini” (Spain), “Genie in a Tin of Raviolis” (France)
3 p.m.: “The Red Balloon” (France) In this award-winning film, a red balloon with a life of its own follows a little boy around the streets of Paris.