Tired of what’s being programmed on television for children?  Not sure what movies are appropriate for your child?  Bring them to CCAE’s Cinema Circus on Saturday, March 5^th in Harvard Square. The Cambridge Center for Adult Education and the Brattle Film Foundation are collaborating to offer two programs of unique short films in a one day family film festival specially tailored to youngsters 2 and up. You and your family will revel in a carefully curated and age appropriate mix of live action and animated films—hosted by Derek Lamb, a two time Academy Award winner for animation, and musician Tracie Smart.

”Our goal is to offer a totally fun film experience that is not available anywhere else,” says says Will McMillan, director of public relations and development for CCAE. “We’re including quirky and wonderful films that will delight and engage people of all ages. Our hope is that parents and children can share an experience that they will talk and think about for weeks afterwards. Some of these shorts are so engrossing that children talk about them for years afterwards.”  

Adele Pressman, co-programmer of the event and a child psychiatrist with the Cambridge Health Alliance, was key to getting the ball rolling. “She’s a filmmaker, is great with children, and is a parent herself,” says McMillan. “She is very aware of how children today are awash in a sea of moving images, and what kinds of effects these images are having on all of us. We’re hoping that the Cinema Circus will be the beginning of an ongoing conversation at CCAE about children, the media, and the challenges of being a parent—and being a child—these days.”

Pressman’s friend (and former professor) Derek Lambe agreed to act as host—along with musician Tracie Smart—for both screenings. Lamb has an impressive record in film and animation. The two-time Academy Award winner for animation began his film career as an animator/writer with the National Film Board of Canada in Montreal and later became its executive director. He has taught animation at Harvard and McGill Universities and at the National Institute of Design in India. Lambe will talk about the various films being shown, as well as explain certain parts of the film making process. He is also an accomplished musician, and will perform a few songs—while film and video reels are being switched—with musical partner Tracie Smart.

Pressman helped to coordinate a similar child-geared film event for the Cambridge Ellis School more than a decade ago as a response to a growing concern with what kids were watching. The concern continues today, and CCAE and the Brattle Theatre are delighted to be able to work on the Cinema Circus with Pressman and Lambe, who have such extensive experience with children and film.

Derek Lamb began his film career as an animator-writer with the National Film Board of Canada in Montreal in the early Sixties. He has taught animation at Harvard and McGill Universities and the National Institute of Design, India. From 1976 to 1982, Derek was executive director of animation at the National Film Board of Canada, Montreal. He has been honored with many international film and television awards; including producer of two Academy Award Oscar winning films for animation, Special Delivery (1979) and Every Child (1980). He was the executive producer on the British Academy Award winner, The Hockey Sweater (1982). During the past ten years Derek has worked with children’s organizations such as Save the Children, Norway, Street Kids International and UNICEF, on productions promoting health and education for poor and marginalized children around the world. At present, with partners, Kai Pindal and Jeff Schon, he is developing an animated TV series, “Peep,” with WGBH, Boston, designed to introduce elementary-science to pre-schoolers. This fall, with partners Jeff Hale and Toonz Animation India, Derek will write and direct a short-cartoon, The Last British Colonel in India, a send-up of the British Empire in India. Derek lives and works in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

After each showing, parents are invited to bring their children next door to CCAE’s Brattle house at 42 Brattle Street for more fun activities. The first showing begins at 10:00 am for movie lovers age 2 and up, followed by a different and longer showing at 11:30 am for movie lovers age 6 and up. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children.

Call (617) 547-6789 x1 for tickets or go online to www.ccae.org.  Advance registration encouraged!