Zoom: Family Film Festival Returns

7th Annual Festival Includes Sesame Street, Charlie Chaplin, Animation Galore,

Breakfast Pajama Party, Ice Cream Social, Art Activities, and More

The Wexner Center’s popular Zoom: Family Film Festival, featuring four days of entertaining and acclaimed family-friendly films from around the globe, will take place December 2–5, 2010. This year’s festival, the seventh annual, features the return of Jim Henson’s Muppets TM in new behind-the-scenes moments from Sesame Street, short films from around the world, many animated shorts, and a Charlie Chaplin classic for the whole family. The festival also includes a free screening of the Midwest premiere of The Crocodiles, an action-filled comedy from Germany about a boy in a wheelchair who tries to fit into the coolest gang of neighborhood kids in a crime-busting adventure.

The festival is not just about watching films: On Saturday morning, families can enjoy the free Breakfast Pajama Party before attending Kids Flix Mix, which showcases the best animated films of the New York International Children’s Film Festival 2010. On Saturday afternoon, everyone can enjoy the free Ice Cream Social with Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams.

Sunday this year is all about Sesame Street with three films that celebrate 40 years of the famous children’s public television show.

Notes Chris Stults, co-organizer of Zoom and associate curator in the Wexner Center’s film department, “In an attempt to offer up an alternative for families who are looking for something other than cineplex fare, this festival brings to Columbus some of the best animation and films for children from around the globe. It’s a diverse selection that all ages will find appealing.”

Jean Pitman, co-organizer of the event and the Wexner Center’s educator for youth programs, says, “Zoom is a great opportunity for families to experience the world through watching a film together on the big screen, and the Wex is committed to making this event affordable for families and friends.” Parents can call Pitman at 614-292-4614 to discuss any film before viewing it with children.

OTHER ZOOM WEEKEND ACTIVITIES

Art Projects and Tours Saturday–Sunday afternoons: Children and their families can color pictures, leave a comment on our “comment wall,” play video games designed by kids in summer workshops at the Wex, and take a family-friendly tour of our galleries. On Saturday, admission to the exhibition Six Solos is free for kids under 18 and with a ticket to any Zoom film on the same day.

Super Sunday: For this free event, admission to the galleries is free for everyone all day long (galleries open 11 AM to 6 PM), with free hands-on activities from noon to 5 PM. To celebrate the Sesame Street films, families can make their own puppets and try out Muppet-style puppeteering for (closed-circuit) TV. Families can also enjoy activities inspired by the Wexner Center’s exhibitions that will be on view at that time.

The Box: To complement the Zoom festival, the best of the 2010 Ohio Shorts Youth Division will be on view in The Box (the video screening space located at the entrance to the galleries).

Member Appreciation Weekend: This event gives members 20% savings in the Wexner Center Store, free gift wrapping, discounted gift memberships, and light refreshments all weekend long.

The schedule follows.

ZOOM: FAMILY FILM FESTIVAL

ZOOM TICKET PRICES unless otherwise noted in the schedule: General public: $3 a film (or $15 for any 6 tickets), Wexner Center members: $2 a film (or $10 for any 6 tickets). Available at the door or in advance at 614 292-3535 VISITOR INFORMATION: Wexner Center is located at 1871 N. High St. at 15th Ave. at The Ohio State University (wexarts.org). PARKING INFORMATION: Convenient parking is available in the Ohio Union Garage, with entrances from North High Street and College Road. The Wexner Center is also on several COTA bus lines (#2, #18, #31, and #84).

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2

In the Attic | 7 PM (Jiri Barta, 2009, Czech Republic)

Recommended for ages 10 and up (some scenes of danger may frighten younger viewers)

This spooky stop-motion animation from the Czech Republic—four parts Toy Story and one part David Lynch—about a group of abandoned toys that stage an ambitious rescue of their kidnapped friend won the Grand Prize at the 2010 New York International Children’s Film Festival. (75 mins., video) In Czech with English subtitles.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3 The Circus | 7 PM

(Charles Chaplin, 1928, U.S.)

Recommended for ages 6 and up.

“One of the loveliest screen experiences. Perhaps the quintessential Chaplin film!”—Vincent Canby, New York Times

One of the best examples of Chaplin’s trademarked blend of hilarity and pathos, The Circus sees the Little Tramp accidentally find himself in the midst of a bustling circus troupe with the unfortunate ability of making everyone around him laugh except when he’s actually trying to be funny. (69 mins., 35mm)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4

Breakfast & Pajama Party | 9–10 AM | FREE

Kids can start the weekend by staying in their PJs and heading off to Zoom for a free breakfast. A special waffle bar just for kids will be offered from Taste of Belgium. Kids Flix Mix (below) follows.

Kids Flix Mix | 10 AM

Recommended for ages 3 and up.

A brand new 2010 version of the short film collection that packed the house last year, this collection of highlights from the New York International Children’s Film Festival features an entertaining mix of musical and narrative shorts from all over the planet. (71 mins., video)

Girls POV | 12 PM

Recommended for ages 10 and up.

This effervescent collection of short pieces by and about girls presents perspectives and experiences from all over the globe from Scandinavia to South America to the Middle East. (69 mins., video)

Ice Cream Social | 1–3 PM | FREE Columbus’s own Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams will serve up an assortment of flavors.

The Crocodiles | 1:30 PM (Christian Ditter, 2009, Germany) | FREE

Recommended for ages 10 and up (includes realistic depictions of main character’s challenges, among them his need for assistance in the bathroom)

The multi-award-winning German dramatic comedy The Crocodiles focuses on Kai, a boy in a wheelchair who wants to join the cool group of kids, The Crocodiles. (98 mins., 35mm) In German with English subtitles.

Party Mix | 3:30 PM

Recommended for ages 8 and up.

A riot of funky film perspectives from around the world, this collection of shorts is filled with humor and beautifully created pieces that examine everything from octopus love to loss of a loved one. (76 mins., video)

Aardman Animations: Award Winning Shorts | 7 PM

Recommended for ages 7 and up.

This brilliant collection of short films contains 25 years worth of witty and inventive mini-masterpieces from the British claymation geniuses at Aardman Animation (Chicken Run). (75 mins., video)

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5

Sing! The Music of Sesame Street | 1 PM

Recommended for ages 4 and up.

This salute to 40 years of Sesame Street music features original Sesame Street classics (“Rubber Duckie”), parodies (“Letter B”), and special guest appearances by musicians Paul Simon, R.E.M., Johnny Cash, Feist, Patti LaBelle, and Stevie Wonder. (82 mins., video)

Sesame Street at 40: Milestones on the Street | 2:45 PM

Recommended for ages 6 and up.

This compilation features 40 years worth of important Sesame Street moments, such as the first episode, Luis and Maria’s wedding, the birth of Gabi, Miles’ adoption, the death of Mr. Hooper, a hurricane hitting Sesame Street, and guest appearances by C-3PO, R2-D2, Tony Bennett, Ben Stiller, James Gandolfini, and others. (81 mins., video)

Jim Henson & Friends: Inside the Sesame Street Vault | 4:30 PM

Recommended for ages 6 and up.

This collection of favorites and rarities highlights the contributions of Jim Henson and his early Sesame Street collaborators through clips from TV specials and guest appearances on shows such as the Ed Sullivan Show and Hollywood Squares and many more! (83 mins., video)

Wexner Center members qualify for a pair of free tickets for this screening (members can show their cards at the Patron Services Desk that day or pick them up in advance).

ZOOM WARMUP EVENT

More Muppet TM Magic: Jim Henson’s Legacy

Sunday, November 14

More Muppet TM Magic: Jim Henson’s Legacy, a daylong mini-festival on Sunday, November 14, brings back two Wexner Center audience favorites from the 2007 Jim Henson series and adds a brand-new collection of Muppet rarities. More MuppetTM Magic: Jim Henson’s Legacy serves as a warm-up for this year’s Zoom: Family Film Festival, which features a day of screenings related to Jim Henson’s work on Sesame Street,

This series is made possible through the generous assistance of The Jim Henson Legacy, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Sesame Workshop, and tour organizer Irena Kovarova.

Special Ticket Prices

General public: $3 per film or $15 for any 6 tickets. Members: $2 per film or $10 for any 6 tickets. The discounted package tickets can also be used for any Zoom films.

Muppet Fairytales | 1 PM 

See classic fairytales through the eyes of the Muppets in this program of shorts. (105 mins., video) Recommended for ages 2 to 6 and up.

Muppets 101 | 3 PM 

A crowd-pleaser in 2007, this unique program of rarities examines the origins of the Muppets through early live TV appearances, unusual commercials, and guest spots on popular TV shows. (90 mins., video) Recommended for ages 8 and up.

Muppets 201: Rarities from the Henson Vault | 4:45 PM

This brand-new program collects recently unearthed shorts and appearances by the Muppets on TV shows, including Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show and Cher’s variety show, as well as rarities like Jim Henson’s appearance as a mystery guest on What’s My Line. (82 mins., video) Recommended for ages 8 and up.

EVENT AND SEASON SUPPORT

Support for Zoom: Family Film Festival and other family programs is provided by Cardinal Health, Bob Evans Farms, Time Warner Cable, U.S. Bancorp Foundation, Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream, and Taste of Belgium.

Promotional support provided by Time Warner Cable.

Significant contributions for the Wexner Center’s 2010-11 film/video season are made by the Rohauer Collection Foundation.

The preferred airline of the film/video program is American Airlines/American Eagle.

All film/video programs and events also receive support from the Corporate Annual Fund of the Wexner Center Foundation and Wexner Center members, as well as from the Greater Columbus Arts Council, The Columbus Foundation, Nationwide Foundation, and the Ohio Arts Council.