Kids for Kids Film Reviews

C/O Footpath

Review by LiveWire Critic, Chloe Daniels

C/O FOOTPATH is a heart warming film miraculously directed by a ten year old boy from India. The film tells the tale of a young boy who was abandoned and left on a street curb by his mother. He is found by a lovely old woman who kindly takes him in to bring him up as her own child. She names him Slum as this is where he was found. Slum is an outgoing child who wants to learn and so observes all the other children. He urgently wants to attend school but is constantly refused entry as he cannot lawfully be entered into the advanced year group he wants to be in. Being as determined as he is, Slum meets up with his local friends after school to borrow their books and study the curriculum. Full of advanced knowledge Slum goes back to the school teacher attempting to gain entry but he is refused again until one day whilst he is selling newspapers to make a living, a woman questions why he is not in school. The woman goes to see a friend of hers who is a teacher. By chance it is the same teacher that Slum has been going to see. With all the teachers of the school and Slum himself knowing how capable he is they eventually take the case to the court where Slum victoriously leaves gaining entry to a year group with pupils 5 or 6 years older than him. Sadly near the end of the film Slum’s guardian (the old woman) dies however Slum continues to do what he loves best, studying!

Personally I believe this film was one of the best in the festival.

XmwahX

EL guardavais

Review by LiveWire Critic, Pascal Knight

The second feature film we watched was EL GUARDAVAIS. It was about a man returning to his childhood home with his family. We soon discover that his father was killed by a train in this now deserted village. The sub plot involves past problems with the character's father and son. These problems are both resolved as the story unfolds. The film is a spooky drama with a twist. The acting was very good and the camera work and editing is of a professional standard. For such a long film it was entertaining right to the end and overall very good.

War of the presidents

Review by LiveWire Critic, Chloe Daniels

This was an animated film from a group in Argentina. The designs were very well done and the standard was pretty high for such a young age. The film had a few hints of humour in it and told the story of two presidents that declared war between their countries. They argue and fight with each other then finally come to their senses and unite in order to put an end to the war. I would not recommend this film for teenagers as I don’t think it attracts or entertains young people, but I’m sure younger children would enjoy it.

Live Action Category (ages 6-12)

Review by Livewire Critic, Daniella Mayhew

In total there were 6 films in this category, all individually made in different countries around the world. There was a film called LOST AND FOUND, which was made in Canada. This film was about 3 children who discover a frog in a lake and decide to take it home as a pet. They then decide the best thing for the frog would be to let it free. However, when the frog surprisingly returns to their house, they realise the frog belongs to them. The film had a brilliant story line and was also really funny. 10/10

The second film called CHOK (Inner Eye) was made by a group of orphan boys in India. Their film was based on strong real life issues such as aids. In the film the hospital refused to help a boy suffering from aids, leaving him to die. Then ironically they gave the boy’s blind friend his eyes after the boy pasted away. This was a very good film. It made me think about poverty, starvation and illness. 7/10

The third film was called DREAMS, which was made in Peru. The film was just about people’s dreams, and also about children wanting to live in peace and without poverty. To me this film was very good and had great animations. 8/10

The fourth film was called THE GIG, which was made by a group of young girls in Finland. This film was about a few children having their own band and performing in their own live gig. This film was reasonably good and had quite a good story line. 4/10

The fifth film was called THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN and was made in Spain. This film was about children acting as adults and adults acting as children. It was a really good idea and made me laugh a lot. 9/10 

The final film was called OH THAT LOVE and was made in Montenegro, Serbia. It was a very humorous film about two children in love. It was very funny the acting was great. 9/10

Live Action Category (ages 13-16)

Review by LiveWire Critic, Pascal Knight

This was one of my favorite categories I especially liked FISH, a short ironic ‘boy who cried wolf’ comedy about a man joking about choking on a fish bone, only to be run over by a fish truck minutes later. It was light hearted and well made. Another favorite was BEHIND THE SCREEN, which combined live action, documentary and animation. I was a bit unsure of MY FANTASTIC FIRST MOVIE but all the films were very good. However, of course my opinion is bound to be biased when LiveWire’s WIRED was in the running.

Animation Category (ages 13-16)

Review by LiveWire Critic, James Wood

In the animation category for 13-16 year olds, ANIMOSITY was my favourite as it was funny! The characters the (sheep, wolf and bear) were cute as well and I would say that it would appeal to any audience. I loved it!

The rest of the films were THE KITCHEN MATCH, RABI-DABI, THE LAST TANGO IN HAMPTON VILLE and SQUIRRELS ATE MY HAMMOCK. They were all pretty good.

I enjoyed it so much in Cyprus. Everything was mint and I hope I can go to another film festival. I’m also looking forward to making more films and stuff.

One Minute Film Category (ages 6-12)

Review by Livewire Critic, Daniella Mayhew

There were only 3 films in this category. One of the one minute films was called TERRORISM. It was made in Syria and was about a school that was being filmed then all of a sudden the camera started shaking.

The second film was called MARSHMALLOW LAND and was made in the USA. It was a great stop frame animation.

Lastly a film called A LITTLE WALK, which was made in Poland. It was a story of a huge elephant that repeatedly came into a frame and then back out.

One Minute Film Category (ages 13-16)

Review by LiveWire Critic, James Wood

Out of six one minute films, DO PECUNIAM was my favourite. For me it was so funny. It was all about how banks can be robbed using various languages. Two guys planned to rob a bank and told the bank worker to give them money. Unfortunately the bank worker misunderstood the men because they were speaking in different languages. So the men fired their guns and took the money.

I really liked the rest of the one minute films like THE EDGES, STRING, STICKS AND CO, DISCONNECTING PEOPLE and PRAISE THE LORD were all pretty good.