Cinema for Young Explorers

A celebration of animated storytelling designed to invite young audiences back into the magic of cinema. 

Through captivating films, the programme showcases how stories can not only reflect the world around us but also help children explore and understand themselves. Focusing on themes of identity, belonging, and community, Cinema for Young Explorers hopes to spark meaningful conversations and questions about the world we live in.

The programme is suitable for audiences 6 and above. Please note that each feature film will be accompanied by a short film presentation, emphasising the importance of the cinema space as a place for shared experiences. Similarly, accessibility is at the heart of this season, therefore the screenings will feature subtitles and are presented as Relaxed/autism-friendly

Credits for artwork: Amy-Louise O'Callaghan
Instagram: @amylouioc

Credits for film programme brochure: Hope Bullen 
Instagram: @a.littlebitofhope

Saturday 19th October | The Last Garden/Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds | Lexi Cinema | 14:30

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The Last Garden
Éloïse Jenninger | UK | 2024 | 8min | Dialogue free

For Henry, the community garden is his escape from the daily toil in the city. However, the day has come for it to be demolished, Henry and his community can't agree on how to save it.

Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds (Sirocco et le royaume des courants d'air)
Benoît Chieux | France | 2023 | 74min | English version

Agnes, a children’s fantasy author, writes of a magical faraway land featuring a mysterious wizard named Sirocco. Whilst babysitting two children, Juliette and Carmen, the young sisters are whisked into the storybooks, transforming into cats, and come face to face with the imagined characters of the story. With alligator airships, toad-like mayors, and an operatic singing bird, the surreal adventure invites audiences into the world of storytelling, and more importantly, the power of imagination.

PLUS: join us for an exclusive pre-screening workshop, Storytelling and Me, led by BAFTA-nominated Ed Foster, the brilliant mind behind the multi-award-winning ITVX show The Rubbish World of Dave Spud!

Wednesday 23rd October | Late Afternoon + Wolfwalkers | Lexi Cinema | 14:30

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Late Afternoon
Louise Bagnall | Ireland | 2017 | 10min

Emily is an elderly woman who lives between two states, the past and the present. She journeys into an inner world, reliving moments from her life and searching for a connection within her fragmented memories.

Wolfwalkers

Tomm Moore | Ireland | 2020 | 103min | English with subtitles

A young apprentice hunter and her father journey to Ireland to help wipe out the last wolf pack. But everything changes when she befriends a free-spirited girl from a mysterious tribe rumoured to transform into wolves by night.

PLUS: Before the journey into the enchanting world of Cartoon Saloon’s Wolfwalkers, join the Cinema for Young Explorer’s programmer Conor Riley in an activity to unleash your inner wolf with our fun-filled mask-making and colouring workshop!

Saturday 26th October | Short Film Programme: Being Me | Lexi Cinema | 14:30

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Step into a world of captivating short films that explore the complex theme of identity, with powerful sub-themes of bravery, community, and family. This specially curated selection celebrates stories from diverse perspectives, offering young audiences a chance to reflect on who we are, the courage it takes to be ourselves, and how those around us have influence on who we become. Total Running Time: 85min

Himal
Najam Subba | UK | 2024 | 4min | Dialogue-free

A Yeti father has to face his fear and prejudice against humans when his son befriends a human girl from the village.

Pete
Bret Parker | USA | 2022 | 7min | English with subtitles

Based on a true story about gender identity, Little League Baseball, the people who inspire change, and the superheroes who allow that change to happen.

Dragfox
Lisa Ott | UK | 2024 | 8min | English with subtitles

Sam's search for identity gets interrupted by a mysterious neighbourhood fox.

Home
Peter Peake | UK | 2023 | 4min | Dialogue-free

A small orange circle feels far from home in a world where everything is purple and triangular.

Luce and the Rock
Britt Raes | Belgium-France-Netherlands | 2022 | 13min | English with subtitles

Luce lives on a small island in the middle of the blue sea. Here, everything always goes the same way. Until a rock ball monster begins making life more confusing.

Aaaah!
Osman Cerfon | France | 2023 | 5min | Dialogue-free

The tumultuous school day is filled with cries of "Aaaah!": cries of anger, of boredom, of joy and surprise - in short, the full spectrum of young emotions.

Dragon Slayers United
Tom Levinge | UK | 2023 | 12min | English with subtitles

Holding a painful secret, Nic joins a dungeons and dragons group for people with disabilities. Through it, she enters a fantasy world that will forever change her self-view.

Family Jewels
Tilly Wallace | UK | 2021 | 2min | English with subtitles

Three generations worth of family history are discussed around a kitchen table; a collection of animated stories told through the medium of jewellery.

Stranding
Ben Kadie | USA | 2021 | 11min | English with subtitles

Ten-year-old Theo finds solace in a mysterious beached whale while his parents plan their divorce.

Us Four
Alex Peake | UK | 2024 | 5min | English with subtitles

An animated documentary about childhood memories and leaving home. Alex talks to her younger sisters about their past and realises the reality of them all growing up.