KO + 2 @ The Reel Fun Family Film Festival

There is definitely not enough family friendly and creatively diverse things to do in this city (Calgary) through the winter months. If you are anything like me, a Mom who doesn’t want to walk the cold zoo in the winter, sit in a dark theatre eating sodium and glucose saturated snacks, and don’t put your kids in week-end activities so we can have some family time… Then it can be somewhat challenging to find involved, but creative and exciting experiences to share with your children.

This month actually offers some great opportunities to have some arts enriched family time. The Reel Fun Family Film Festivaloffers a look inside the film industry for kids. This year, the Reel Interactive Family Film Day took place at the new Canada Sports Hall of Fame at Canada Olympic Park. A really different venue than last years Crossroads Farmers Market. This allowed the kids to look at past Canadian athletes and Olympic Medalists uniforms and sports equipment if they were waiting for booths at the Festival to open up. There were a large number of youth volunteers at the festival this year, adding enthusiasm and life to the venue.

My daughters are 3 & 4 years old and loved several of the short films that were screened in the state-of-the-art theater of the Canada Sports Hall of Fame. I felt they were at a better age this year to appreciate the films (last year my 2 year old had more than one melt down). Their favourite film was A Sea Turtle Story(Kathy Shultz, 2012, Canada), it was a life cycle of a sea turtle in animation, bright colours, tranquil music and adorable animated baby sea turtles. My favourite film was Flat Frog (InkyMind, Milan 2012). The films were all age appropriate, contained positive messages, were really entertaining for adults and kids alike. The best age for the Reel Fun Family Festival is probably from 5-14 year old because kids can start to understand the composed art form by that age, as well as the techniques that go into achieving desired effects on screen. Aside from the stop-go animation booth, the other booths (special effects make-up, hair design for film, riding a dolly rigged camera, film fire arms…etc.) are more exciting if they can comprehend camera angles and elements of production. It was a great morning to get out of the house and see what goes into making a film, and watching adorable short films from talented Canadians and international filmmakers. The festival runs until March 3rd, 2013.