©Courtesy of NYICFF
Disney and Pixar’s HOPPERS to Receive Special Opening Spotlight Preview at New York International Children’s Film Festival
Announcing the NYICFF’s Centerpiece Screenings: REMAINING NATIVE and NATIVE STORIES
This Year’s Audience Spotlight Selection is the U.S. Premiere of MY LIFE IN VERSAILLES, Based on the NYICFF 2020 Grand Prize-Winning Short
NYICFF RUNS FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 15
Full Lineup Available HERE
January 29, 2026 — New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF), running February 28 to March 15, will be showing a special preview of the highly anticipated Disney and Pixar film HOPPERS, directed by Daniel Chong, before it hits theaters on March 6. The film will screen on the festival’s opening night, February 28, 2026. In true NYICFF fashion, the festival will kick off with a pajama party and red carpet earlier in the day, inviting the youngest film lovers and families to celebrate the magic of movies in their coziest attire before their popular shorts program, Shorts for Tots.
Disney and Pixar’s all-new animated comedy adventure introduces Mabel, an animal lover who seizes an opportunity to use a new technology to “hop” her consciousness into a life-like robotic beaver and communicate directly with animals, uncovering mysteries beyond anything she could have imagined.
“We’re so excited to be introducing the unique magic of Pixar artistry, as shaped by Daniel Chong’s distinctive vision and wit, to a fresh generation of film fans,” said NYICFF Director of Programming Maria-Christina Villaseñor. “As we’re known for our world class animation slate, it feels fitting to be kicking things off with this highly anticipated new feature that promises not only to delight, but also asks us to consider how we value and respect each other across creature lines.”
This year’s Audience Spotlight selection is the warm, charming, richly colored, MY LIFE IN VERSAILLES. The feature, making its US premiere, is inspired by the NYICFF 2020 Audience Grand Prize-winning short of the same name and follows the recently orphaned 8-year-old Violette as she leaves her life in Paris to live with her uncle Régis, a caretaker at the Palace of Versailles. “We are thrilled, both for the filmmakers and our audience, that such a beloved film from a previous festival has made its way back to us as a feature,” said NYICFF Executive Director Nina Guralnick. “And we’re even more excited to be bringing Clémence Madeleine-Perdrillat and Nathaniel H’limi to NYC to premiere their wonderful film and share their vision with our audience.” The film’s directors will also be in attendance at the festival for an audience Q&A.
In addition to the feature spotlights, NYICFF will premiere their Centerpiece short film program Native Stories on March 7, 2026, which will showcase stories that blend past, present, and future, offering an intimate look at the lives of young Native and Indigenous people today. This exciting new program is further testimony of the festival’s aim to create an inclusive and accessible environment that gives young audiences the chance to see all cultures, including their own, through film. “As always, we’re celebrating the vitality of diverse storytelling,” said Villaseñor. “With the surprising, moving, and hilarious shorts in Native Stories, we’re sharing fresh new spins on indigenous storytelling across the US, Canada, and Latin America.” The day’s spotlight on contemporary Native storytelling will continue with the live-action documentary, REMAINING NATIVE—a coming-of-age film following the story of college-hopeful track superstar Ku Stevens, followed by a Q&A with director Paige Bethmann (Haudenosaunee).
OPENING SPOTLIGHT
Hoppers
U.S. | SPECIAL PREVIEW SCREENING
Animation, Daniel Chong, Disney and Pixar 2026, 105 min.
Rated PG
In English
Synopsis: Disney and Pixar’s all-new animated comedy adventure introduces Mabel, an animal lover who seizes an opportunity to use a new technology to “hop” her consciousness into a life-like robotic beaver and communicate directly with animals, uncovering mysteries beyond anything she could have imagined.
Catch Disney and Pixar’s new comedy adventure before it hits theaters on March 6!
Sat Feb 28, 5:15pm – SVA Theatre + party!
CENTERPIECE SCREENING
Remaining Native
Live Action Documentary, Paige Bethmann, 2025, 87 min.
Recommended ages 10+
In English
Synopsis: For college-hopeful track superstar Ku Stevens, running is in his blood.
Sat March 7, 1:30pm – Scandinavia House + Q&A
Sun March 15, 11:30am – DCTV
CENTERPIECE SCREENING
Native Stories
Recommended ages 8+
Stories that blend the past, present, and future to take a look at the varied lives of young Native and Indigenous people as they live them today.
Sat March 7, 3:45pm – Scandinavia House + Q&A
SPOTLIGHT SELECTION
My Life in Versailles
France, Luxembourg | U.S. PREMIERE
Animation, Clémence Madeleine-Perdrillat & Nathaniel H’limi, 2025, 78 min.
Recommended ages 7+
In English
Rich with color and heart and based on the NYICFF 2020 Grand Prize-winning short!
Sun March 8, 2:30pm – SVA Theatre + Q&A
Sat March 14, 1:00pm – SVA Theatre
FULL SLATE BELOW
BIRD BOY
UNITED STATES, SOUTH AFRICA | US THEATRICAL PREMIERE
Joel Soisson, 2025, 78 min.
Recommended ages 6+
In English
When August discovers a giant egg, it hatches more than just a baby ostrich.
Sat March 7, 11:00am – IFC Center
Sun March 15, 11:00am – SVA Theatre
GHOST SCHOOL
PAKISTAN, GERMANY, SAUDI ARABIA | US PREMIERE
Seemab Gul, 2025, 88 min.
Recommended ages 9+
In Urdu with English subtitles
Rabia shows up to school only to discover it’s closed. Undaunted, she’ll seek answers.
Sat March 7, 11:30am – IFC Center
Sat March 14, 12:45pm – DCTV + Q&A
KAIJU GUY!
怪獣ヤロウ！
JAPAN
Junichiro Yagi, 2024, 80 min.
Recommended ages 9+
In Japanese with English subtitles
A hilarious, mile-a-minute ode to monster movies and staying true to yourself.
Sun March 8, 2:30pm – DCTV
Sat March 14, 5:30pm – SVA Theatre
LAMPIE
NETHERLANDS
Margien Rogaar, 2022, 94 min.
Recommended ages 7+
In Dutch with English subtitles
Lampie has it all: lighthouses, seascapes, and a menagerie of circus workers, of course!
Sun March 1, 11:00am – DCTV
Sun March 8, 11:00am – IFC Center
MARRY ANNING
Mary Anning Chase Aux Fossiles
SWITZERLAND, BELGIUM | US PREMIERE
Marcel Barelli, 2025, 72 min.
Recommended ages 8+
In French with English subtitles
An intrepid fossil-hunter works to solve a big mystery.
Sun March 1, 1:00pm – SVA Theatre
Sat March 7, 11:30am – Scandinavia House + Q&A
MOOMINVALLEY
UNITED KINGDOM
Steve Box, Nigel Davies, & Avgousta Zourelidi, 2019, 66 min.
Recommended ages 6+
Our favorite silly, Scandinavian creatures are back!
Sat Feb 28, 11:00am – Scandinavia House
Sat March 7, 11:00am – SVA Theatre
Sat March 14, 11:00am – IFC Center
MY GRANDFATHER IS A NIHONJIN
Eu e Meu Avô Nihonjin
BRAZIL | NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
Celia Catunda, 2025, 84 min.
Recommended ages 8+
In Portuguese and Japanese with English subtitles
When Noboru learns of an uncle he’s never met, he vows to reunite his family.
Sun March 1, 1:15pm – DCTV + Q&A
Sat March 14, 3:15pm – SVA Theatre
PAPAYA
BRAZIL
Priscilla Kellen, 2026, 74 min.
Recommended ages 3+
No dialogue
Bold colors, polka dots, and palm trees all wrapped into the tale of a wayward papaya seed.
Sat Feb 28, 1:00pm – SVA Theatre
Sun March 8, 12:30pm – SVA Theatre
SPACE CADET
CANADA | EAST COAST PREMIERE
Kid Koala, 2025, 86 min.
Recommended ages 7+
No dialogue
Astronaut and robot caretaker, separated by millions of miles, keep close through cherished memories.
Sun March 1, 11:30am – IFC Center
Sun March 15, 1:00pm – SVA Theatre + Q&A
WHOEVER STEALS THIS BOOK
この本を盗む者は
JAPAN
Daiki Fukuoka, 2025, TK min.
Recommended ages 10+
In Japanese with English subtitles
Teen Mifuyu, not a big reader, must defend her family’s fancy library from a powerful curse.
Sun March 1, 3:00pm – SVA Theatre
Sat March 7, 5:00pm – SVA Theatre
SHORT FILM PROGRAM
SHORTS FOR TOTS
Recommended ages 3-6
Created for our youngest and first-ever moviegoers, beloved by grown-ups as well.
Sat Feb 28, 11:00am – SVA Theatre
Sun March 8, 10:45am – SVA Theatre – sensory friendly!
Sat March 14, 11:30am – IFC Center
SHORT FILMS ONE
Recommended ages 5-10
Shorts for the (slightly) more seasoned moviegoer
Sun March 1, 11:00am – SVA Theatre
Sat March 7, 1:00pm – SVA Theatre
Sat March 14, 11:00am – SVA Theatre
Sun March 15, 11:30am – IFC Center
SHORT FILMS TWO
Recommended ages 8-14
Bigger ideas for the big kids.
Sat Feb 28, 3:00pm – SVA Theatre
Sat March 7, 3:00pm – SVA Theatre
Sun March 15, 11:00am – IFC Center
SHORT FILMS THREE
Recommended ages 12+
Shorts for our older crowd: teens and grown-ups only.
Sat Feb 28, 2:30pm – Scandinavia House
Sun March 8, 11:30am – IFC Center
CELEBRATING BLACK STORIES
Recommended ages 8+
The joy, resilience, and complexity of being young and Black.
Sat Mar 14, 11:00am – DCTV + Q&A
GIRLS’ POV
Recommended ages 9+
Not just for girls! These shorts feature stories of girls breaking the mold.
Sat Feb 28, 12:30pm – Scandinavia House + Q&A
Sun March 8, 11:00am – DCTV
HEEBIE JEEBIE SHORTS
Recommended ages 9+
Wild, spooky, freaky, and bizarre…prepare to have your mind blown.
Sat Feb 28, 11:30am – IFC Center
Sun March 15, 1:30pm – DCTV
¡HOLA CINE!
Recommended ages 8+
Celebrating the many Latinx cultures, histories, identities, and languages.
Sun March 8, 12:45pm – DCTV