Saturday, April 3 and Sunday, April 4 – 12 NOON
Each year we combine the best of the films entered in the festival aimed at a young adult audience. At 12 noon on Saturday and Sunday, our Young Adult Program will feature seven of the best animation and short films made for ages 8 and up. Admission to this special program, including adults is $4. Please be advised the program is not meant for very young children.

Ten Year Old Dog
3 minutes
Short Film/Young Adult Program
Ralph is ten—70 in dog years—but feels older with a yapping ten-month-old pup Pip snapping at his heels and jumping him like an Olympic hurdler. Mixing film and animation, Ten Year Old Dog shows us what it's like to age, from a witty and wise old dog's perspective.

Sunday Paper p. 2b
12 minutes
Student Film/ Young Adult Program  
While reading in the shade of an oak, Bud Whirley, an elderly inventor, discovers a faded photograph hidden between the pages of his book. In this beautifully filmed short, dormant memories come to life as the old man recalls moments from his childhood filled with friends, foes, mischief and machinery. Won Best Cinematography, Best Director, and Best Picture at Academy of Art Film Festival, and Audience Award - Best Student Film at Orinda Film Festival. Eric Towner also made aiff 2004 selection Paper Cut.

The Midnight Express
6 minutes
Student Film/Young Adult Program
Filmmaker: Ryan Landels  
Young Charlie Foster has a problem. An overnight express train has been detoured through his bedroom but no one will believe him. In order to get a good night's sleep he takes matters into his own hands and attempts to derail the train—and that's when Charlie gets a big surprise. This modern-day fairy tale was shot on 16mm black and white and cut together by hand for a magical, otherworldly feel. Winner of the Sparkle Award at the Slamdance Film Festival.

A Work In Progress
8 minutes
Student Film/Young Adult Program
This delightful mix of film and animation tells the story of a lonely young girl, who, with the help of a tire swing, a very large tree, a sketchpad, and her imagination gathers an audience of new pals. A sweet story of what it takes to make new friends. Awards include Best Student Animation at the 2003 Fort Lauderdale Film Festival and 2003 Student Academy Award-Animation Short.

Tryst Watch
4 minutes
Short Film/Young Adult Program/Animation  
Our hero, Herk, waits on a corner for his girlfriend, Toots, to arrive—but Toots is late and Herk gets caught up in a wild fracas with a couple of bumbling cops and a sneaky safecracker. The forces of law and disorder collide in this cute and calamitous cartoon.

The Snowman
6 minutes
Short Film/Young Adult Program/Animation  
What does an alien know from snow? The animation is fantastic in this hilarious short about a ship full of unwitting space aliens who capture a snowman they hope will divulge the secrets of the earth's planetary defense system. When the inanimate snowman refuses to answer, they turn up the heat.