The Square Eyes Screen Foundation kicks off Around the World in 8 Days, a Wellington-based film festival for the whole family.
Playing at Wellington’s mighty Embassy Theatre, The Square Eyes Screen Foundation’s Around the World in 8 Days will bring a unique smattering of all-ages cinema these school holidays.
A collection of fantastic features from across the globe will run 13 to 20 July as well as curated short films which include big-screen showings of TV mega-stars Kiri and Lou & Bluey, a “sparky collection” of stop-motion shorts, and—what may be the coolest cinema event of the year—six Pink Panther cartoons with a live soundtrack performed by Lawrence Arabia.
You can view the full schedule here. Read on to see the feature films playing at The Square Eyes Screen Foundation’s Around the World in 8 Days.
Yellow Submarine (Sing-along)
Saturday 11:30am, 13 July – view the event
The entire audience will be living in a yellow submarine when this sing-along screening pops off. The psychedelic 1968 animated classic sees The Beatles travel to a fantasy land to help a people who have been deprived of music by the Blue Meanies.
Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia
Sunday 11:00am, 14 July – view the event
The adorable bear-mouse duo from the incredibly charming, Oscar-nominated 2012 film return for a journey not all that different from Yellow Submarine. With a broken violin in need of fixing, pair head to Ernest’s hometown of Gibberitia only to find that all forms of music have been banned—and it’s up to them to bring that joy back to the people.
The Breadwinner
Monday 10:30am, 15 July – view the event
Cartoon Saloon’s superb, bold, heartfelt Oscar-nominee for Best Animated Feature sets its story in 2001 Afghanistan. With the country under Taliban control, a young girl disguises herself as a boy with one goal in mind—find her father, who has been wrongfully imprisoned.
The Muppet Movie
Tuesday 10:30am, 16 July – view the event
Jim Henson’s classic creations solidified their legendary status with this 1979 feature film, which sees Kermit and the gang tripping across America in pursuit of the Hollywood dream. It’s not technically a sing-along screening, but if you find yourself belting out The Rainbow Connection, who’s gonna blame you?
We Are the Best!
Wednesday 10:30am, 17 July – view the event
An adaptation of the graphic novel Never Goodnight, this certified crowdpleaser tells the story of three 13-year-old girls in 1980s Stockholm who make the headstrong decision to become a punk band. They’ll be damned if having no instruments and almost no musical skills will stop.
My Neighbour Totoro
Thursday 10:00am, 18 July – view the event
Look, you’re either fully aware of Studio Ghibli master Hayao Miyazaki’s 1988 classic or—against all odds—you have absolutely no idea what this film’s about. If you’re the latter, consider us jealous. We’d love nothing more than to relive this incredibly magical, heartfelt piece of cinema for the very first time.
Kensuke’s Kingdom
Thursday 6:00pm , 18 July – view the event
Nominated for Best Feature at renown animation festival Annecy, this adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s beloved novel follows a boy shipwrecked on a remote island who must learn to survive—and thrive—in the dangerous, beautiful wilderness. Features voices from AAA talent including Cillian Murphy, Sally Hawkins, and Ken Watanabe.
