25th Annual KidFilm Festival will play at Dallas’ Angelika Film Center this Saturday and Sunday

Updated 07:35 a.m., January 21, 2009

by PegNews wire

This year's KidFilm Festival will play a two-day run on Saturday, Jan. 24 and Sunday, Jan. 25 at the Dallas Angelika Film Center. It's the 25th annual KidFilm Fest.

Special programs on tap include a tribute to author/illustrator Bob Barner (with Mr. Barner present to sign books for kids and parents) and a salute to Kay Panabaker, whose new film, Moondance Alexander, will be shown at the festival (and who will be present to introduce the film and receive audience accolades, as warranted).

Barner's tribute, set for Saturday at 2:30 p.m., will include screen adaptations (courtesy Weston Woods Studios) of favorite Barner stories such as “Stars! Stars! Stars!,” “Dem Bones,” “Bugs! Bugs! Bugs!,” and “Dinosaur Bones.” Kids in attendance will each receive a free book.

Ms. Panabaker - who has starred in films such as Nancy Drew and The Prince & the Pauper, in addition to making appearances on TV shows like Summerland, CSI and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody - recently accepted a position on the National Board of the Coalition for Quality Children's Media. She will appear prior to the showing of Moondance Alexander on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

Former anchor/sports director Scott Murray of NBC 5 will serve as this year's KidFilm Honorary Chairman. Since leaving broadcast journalism, Scott has geared up with his own production company, Murray Media.

Additional event highlights at KidFilm 2009 include:

* An opportunity to meet (and be photographed with) Zeeter, of The Zula Patrol: Animal Adventures in Space!, after the showing of that animated feature on Sunday at 4:30 p.m.

* A 30th anniversary showing of Banjo the Woodpile Cat, in a newly-remastered edition. This animated short film - made by Disney animators Don Bluth, Gary Goldman and John Pomeroy in their garage studio - has never been available on DVD and has seldom made an appearance in theaters. Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

* The world premiere of Jackie A. (a.k.a. Tommy and the Cool Mule), a film produced here in North Texas, with the local cast and crew in attendance. Saturday at 12:30. p.m.

Tickets are $3 per program for kids and adults, and may be purchased at the Angelika box office beginning at noon on both days (for that day's shows only).

UPDATE: Go here for a complete lineup of festival shows and showtimes, or pick up a printed schedule at the Angelika Dallas. For further information, call the USA Film Festival 24-hour program line at 214-821-FILM (3456).

posted by JM