The USA Film Festival announces the schedule of events for the 41st Annual KidFilm Family Festival taking place on Saturday, January 18 and Sunday, January 19, 2025 at the Angelika Film Center Dallas, 5321 E. Mockingbird Lane, Dallas. All programs will be presented FREE to the community.
KidFilm is the oldest and largest-attended children’s film festival in the United States, featuring an entertaining, educational, and diverse line-up of new and classic films for both children and adults. KidFilm is an annual outreach program of the USA Film Festival/Dallas, a 55-year-old 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the recognition and promotion of excellence in the film and video arts.
Celebrating the program’s 41st anniversary, this year KidFilm pays tribute to a favorite children’s book author and celebrates diversity, equality, empowerment, cultural appreciation, family and friendship; and features fantastical adventures celebrating courage, perseverance, personal growth and self-reliance, along with other important educational lessons in an entertaining program that includes animated and live-action films for audiences of any age.
Honorary Co-Chairs for KidFilm are USA Film Festival Board of Directors members Yvette Ostolaza, Laura Fox, David Dummer, Gail Terrell, and Megan Mitchell. “We are so pleased to be able to offer this year’s program as an all-free-admission event thanks to support from the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture, the Texas Commission on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, and from the Festival’s Season Sponsors,” said Fox who continued, “We are honored to be able to celebrate 41 years of KidFilm with this great line-up of inspiring films.”
Highlights of this year’s program include:
MEET THE AUTHOR! Screening and book read-along with special guest — Kids can receive a FREE book and have the author sign them!
A Tribute to Aaron Reynolds, the #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of many highly acclaimed books for kids including “Creepy Carrots!,” “Creepy Pair of Underwear!,” “Creepy Crayon!,” “The Incredibly Dead Pets of Rex Dexter,” and many more. The program will include a film screening of the short film Creepy Carrots!, adapted from Aaron’s popular book, followed by a reading of his hilarious book “Creepy Crayon!” Free copies of “Creepy Crayon!” will be distributed to families at the show (while supplies last). After the program, Aaron will sign books for the kids.
NEW ANIMATED FEATURE FILMS to be presented include:
Peter Browngardt’s The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie (USA), a brand new buddy comedy starring one of the greatest comedic duos in history — Porky Pig and Daffy Duck! From Ketchup Entertainment, Warner Bros. Animation, and the creative team behind the award-winning “Looney Tunes Cartoons,” this richly crafted, hand drawn 2D animation marks the first fully-animated feature-length film in Looney Tunes history. The film features the voices of acclaimed actors Eric Bauza, Candi Milo, Peter MacNicol, Wayne Knight, and Laraine Newman. Ketchup Entertainment will release the film wide in theaters on February 28th.
Pedro Solís García & Juan Jesús García Galocha’s Buffalo Kids (Spain), a hilarious yet heartwarming film filled with devious villains, unexpected heroes and unimaginable adventures. Written by Jordi Gasull and Javier Barreira, the film boasts an impressive voice cast that includes Alisha Weir, Conor MacNeill, Gemma Arterton, Stephen Graham, and Sean Bean. (In English.)
Richard Claus & Karsten Kiilerich’s Panda Bear in Africa (Netherlands/Germany/Denmark/ France), an exciting, adventurous, fish-out-of-water comedy co-written by Claus & Kiilerich (The Little Vampire 3D) and Rob Sprackling (Sherlock Gnomes, The Queen’s Corgi). (In English.)
Kristina Dufková’s Living Large (Czech Republic/Slovakia/France), a charming coming-of-age stop motion film that follows a witty, overweight 12-year-old boy. Featuring 2D hand-drawn animation elements and catchy short musical sequences, the film is adapted from the short novel “La vie, en gros” by French author Mikaël Ollivier. (In English.)
Mike Johnson’s A Tooth Fairy Tale (USA), a magical tale with a star-studded voice cast that includes Fran Drescher, Jon Lovitz, Boo Boo Stewart, Vivica A. Fox, and Larkin Bell.
And Eric Power’s Brambletown (USA), a musical film featuring songs from popular children’s musicians The Okee Dokee Brothers that explores connections with each other and nature. Written by Natalie Engel, Justin Lansing and Joe Mailander.
NEW LIVE-ACTION FEATURE FILMS to be presented include Winfried Oelsner’s Max and the Senior Squad (Germany), a delightfully entertaining film about teamwork and finding friendship in the unlikeliest places, and Rodrigo Zanforlin’s fantastical Galactic Cat and the Spell of Time (Brazil).
TWENTY-SIX SHORT FILM PRESENTATIONS featuring animated and live-action short films from around the world including works from Bulgaria, Canada, France, Japan, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, South Africa, Thailand, United Kingdom and United States (including two Texas-made films).
KIDFILM CELEBRATES NATIONAL POPCORN DAY! Join us on Sunday, January 19th at the Angelika Film Center and receive 50% off your popcorn order!
Schedule, Ticket & Location Information:
The full schedule of KidFilm programs may be viewed online via the USA Film Festival’s website at https://www.usafilmfestival.com. Printed KidFilm flyers may also be picked up at the Angelika Film Center Dallas beginning January 3rd.
Tickets for all shows are FREE for children & adults!
Programs are Free but you must have a ticket for admission; Tickets and seating are limited.
Free Books are for families with kids attending the author program (limited quantities).
Tickets for all shows are available at the theater, day of show only, beginning one hour before each showtime. (Note: Lines can form earlier.)
For additional information, please call the USA Film Festival at 214-821-FILM (3456) or visit https://www.usafilmfestival.com.
During KidFilm, please inquire in person at the KidFilm Information Desk at the theater.
Sponsor Support
Support for both the public and Dallas Independent School District student programs is made possible by the Festival’s Season Sponsors — Carol and Alan J. Bernon Family Charitable Foundation, Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District, The Eugene McDermott Foundation, Sidley Austin LLP, Headington Companies, Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate, Gaedeke Group, Mary Fox & Laura Fox, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater North Texas, Moody Fund for the Arts, Angelika Film Center Dallas, Fons PR, DFWChild and Spracklen Film and Video.
The USA Film Festival is supported, in part, by the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture, the Texas Commission on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
About KidFilm DISD Outreach Programs
In addition to the KidFilm public weekend, special outreach programs are presented for thousands of Dallas Independent School District students (grades K–8) and educators. Students will view programs selected especially for them. Many of the films presented are book based and designed to be TEKS-compliant and curriculum-interactive including relevant topics and issues (cultural awareness and diversity, compassion and tolerance, history, math, social studies, the importance of education and reading, etc.).
