NYICFF ’26: The Scarecrows’ Wedding (short)

Who needs a brain, if you’ve already found the one? Harry O’Hay and Betty O’Barley are perfect for each other, but he could lose her, because he is a little slow—in more ways than one. Hopefully the titular ceremony still happens in Samantha Cutler & Jeroen Jaspaert’s animated short, The Scarecrows’ Wedding, the latest BBC & Magic Light Pictures adaptation of a Julia Donaldson children’s book, which screens as part of the Shorts for Tots block at the 2026 New York International Children’s Film Festival.

It used to just be O’Barley in the field, but it attracted more crows than she could shoo, so the farmer added O’Hay. They immediately make a good team. Soon, they also discovered they make a good couple. Despite his shyness, O’Hay proposes and she accepts. Of course, even in a field, a wedding requires a lot of preparation, but unfortunately, O’Hay mistakenly accepts help from some of the lowest animals in the local ecosystem.

His long absence starts to alarm O’Barley, especially when the farmer replaces him with Reginald Rake, a smarmy ladies’ man scarecrow. O’Barley can tell he is bad news, but he keeps hitting on her, in less and less charming ways.

Rob Brydon has been a mainstay of the Magic Light Pictures Donaldson adaptations. In this case, he sounds hilariously sleazy as Rake. He gives this short film the infusion of personality its lead voices, the blandly vanilla Jessie Buckley and Domhnall Gleason can’t supply.

NYICFF ’25: Tiddler (short)

This little fish feels very self-conscious about his supposedly drab grey scales, but instead of taking pride in his delicious taste and healthy omega-3 fatty acids, he builds his confidence by telling tall tales. However, his talent will come in handy in Alex Bain & Andy Martin’s Tiddler, the latest BBC and Magic Light Pictures-produced animated short based on a Julia Donaldson book, which screens as pat of the Shorts for Tots program at the 2025 New York International Children’s Film Festival.

Tiddler thinks he is the plainest fish in his literal school, but the skate teacher obviously looks like a skate fish—so maybe he shouldn’t be so hard on himself. Regardless, Tiddler constantly tries to build himself up by arriving late each morning, breathlessly creating an unlikely adventure to explain his tardiness. Most of his fellow students roll their fish eyes, but his pal Johnny Dory loves his crazy fish stories.

In fact, Dory constantly spreads Tiddler’s stories to other fish, who pass them on in turn to other aquatic creatures. Unbeknownst to Tiddler, his fame has spread quite widely throughout the ocean. That notoriety comes in handy after he narrowly escapes from a commercial fishing boat.

Perhaps you could think of Tiddler as a more compact and economical Finding Nemo. Of course, lost animals are a staple of animated fare. Despite any such similarities, you have to like any film that celebrates both creativity and truancy, right parents?

NYICFF ’24: Tabby McTat (short)

Everyone knows the bond between dogs and humans can transcend miles and even lifetimes (as in A Dog’s Purpose). In contrast, cats can largely take us or leave us. Still, a busker’s former cat remembers him well and even misses the street musician enough to search for him on the streets of London in Jac Hamman & Sarah Scrimgeour’s half-hour short Tabby McTat, the latest Magic Lantern & BBC-produced animated adaptation of Julia Donaldson’s children’s books, which screens during the 2024 New York International Children’sFilm Festival.

You can sort of think of this film as Once for cats. Old Fred can busk up a storm, but he relies on Tabby McTat to chase off the pigeons and pull in the tipping audience. One fateful day, Fred is hospitalized, after he is separated from McTat while chasing the thief who made off with hat full of tips. Freezing on the streets, an elegant house feline convinces McTat to accept shelter with her cat-lady owners. Soon, McTat becomes part of the family, especially when their first litter of kittens arrives, but he remains haunted by memories of Fred.

Tabby McTat is a bit of a departure from previous Donaldson films like Zog, Room on the Broom, and The Smed and the Smoos, because it is essentially set in the world that we know. Yet, that is partly why it is also one of the most endearing Magic Lantern adaptations to date.

NYICFF ’23: The Smeds and the Smoos (short)

In the new Avatar movie, the blue humanoids like to splash around in water. On this planet created by Julia Donaldson, it is the red creatures that enjoy the water, whereas the blue ones prefer to hop around trees. If they sound a little weird to you, the red people certainly agree. Neither the red Smeds or the blue Smoos will have anything to do with each other, until things take a Romeo & Juliet turn in Samantha Cutler & Daniel Snaddon’s The Smeds and the Smoos, the latest Magic Light Pictures Donaldson adaptation, produced for the BBC, which screens during the 2023 New York International Children's Film Festival.

Aside from not liking each other very much, the Smeds and the Smoos live simple, pleasant lives. They stay on their side of the pebble border, because, like Frost said, good fences, etc. One day, Janet the Smed and Bill the Smoo venture into the neutral forest, where they start playing together and eventually fall in love.

Of course, Grandmother Smoo and Grandfather Smed are having none of that, so Bill and Janet steal the Smed rocket, so they can live together on another world. The old rival matriarch and patriarch worry for their grandchildren, so everyone piles into the Smoo rocket, to search the universe for them—Smeds included.

You don’t suppose the Smeds and Smoos might learn to appreciate their differences during their quest? Yes, perhaps so. This time around, Donaldson’s story has all the subtlety of a jackhammer. However, this might be some of the best animation of any of the Magic Light Donaldson films, so far. The various alien worlds really are quite lovely. It has a richer, more sophisticated look than previous Donaldson short films, such as The Highway Rat.

NYICFF ’21: Zog and the Flying Doctors

The old fellow might be a dragon, but he is also the original jaws of life—and the wings too. Although it took him a while to sharpen his dragoning skills in his first Magic Light Pictures-produced BBC special, he has since found his purpose shuttling Princess Pearl and Sir Gadabout as they tend to the medical needs of the animals and fantastical beasts of the kingdom. Unfortunately, the King has more traditional notions of nobility in Sean Mullins’ Zog and the Flying Doctors, the latest Julia Donaldson animated adaptation, which screens as part of the Magic Light Celebration at this year’s New York International Children’s Film Festival.

Dr. Princess Pearl’s ideas of royal duty are a lot like those of Queen Elizabeth II, who drove ambulances as a young woman during WWII. She can cure lions with the flu and sunburned mermaids. Sir Gadabout is a bit of a tool, but he can help a unicorn with an extra horn. The fastidious knight and the clumsy but kind-hearted dragon often clash, but they will have to work together when Princess Pearl’s uncle, the King, locks her in the palace and forces her to do Princessy things.

All of the Magic Light-BBC adaptations of Donaldson’s children’s books are charming, incorporating nice furry animals and big-name celebrity voices (the most notable in this case are narrator Sir Lenny Henry and Rob “The Trip” Brydon as the King). Princess Pearl is even more the kind of animated role model parents can get behind this time around, while Zog is still just a big sweet, likable lug.

NYICFF ’19: Zog (short)

In Julia Donaldson’s fantasy world, it isn’t the damsel who is in distress. It’s the dragon. “Distress” might be too strong a word, but the trainee dragon has an awkward habit of getting himself dinged up. Fortunately, Princess Pearl is always happy to practice her bandaging and care-giving skills in Max Lang & Daniel Snaddon’s Zog, the latest animated short film adaptation of Donaldson’s children’s books from Magic Lantern and the BBC, which screens as part of the Shorts for Tots program at the 2019 New York International Children’s Film Festival.

Zog is the keenest of his class of dragons, but he is also the clumsiest. He yearns for recognition from the dragon head mistress, but he often gets carried away by his own enthusiasm. Through the machinations of fairy tale fate, the progressive Princess Pearl happens to be near whenever he has an owie. She doesn’t care that he’s a dragon and she’s a princess. If truth be told, she would much prefer to give up her sheltered royal life to become a doctor. In fact, they might be able to come to a mutually beneficial arrangement.

All of the Donaldson short films are cute and wholesome (The Gruffalos, Room on the Broom, The Highway Rat), but Zog is probably the most entertaining for genre fans, because of the way it gently subverts epic fantasy tropes. They will also appreciate the voiceover work of Kit Harrington (who clearly knows his dragons, from his work on Game of Thrones and in the recording booth for the How to Train Your Dragon franchise) as an equally klutzy knight who comes to “rescue” Princess Pearl.

Patsy Ferran’s warm and clear voice makes Pearl sound appealingly smart, confident, and upbeat, while Sir Lenny Henry serves as the hip narrator. Tracey Ullman supplies the voices of authority as Madame Dragon and Pearl’s governess, with Rob Brydon providing other miscellaneous voices, as he has in previous Donaldson shorts.

Zog is completely appropriate for youngsters, but some adults might honestly prefer it over the Shrek films (the obvious comparisons), because it is not constantly compelled to prove how cool and ironic it is. The Donaldson films are all quite nice, but this is one of the nicest (yet there is some rather subtle black humor peeking out here and there). Recommended without reservations for family viewing, Zog screens as part of Short for Tots, each Saturday and Sunday of this year’s NYICFF (2/23, 2/24, 3/2, 3/3, 3/9, 3/10, 3/16, and 3/17).

NYICFF ’18: The Highway Rat (short)

The BBC’s latest Julia Donaldson animated special is sort of like the fable of “The Ant and the Grasshopper,” but the freeloader is more criminal and predatory. He rides the highway, “occupying” the food all the other animals have harvested and saved—and yes, he is a rat. The old rogue will gorge himself in Jeroen Jaspaert’s The Highway Rat, which screens as part of the Shorts for Tots program at the 2018 New York International Children’s Film Festival.

Donaldson’s stories are certainly accessible for young viewers, but as usual, Highway Rat has a voice cast that will appeal to parents. Like previous Magic Light Pictures productions, including Room on the Broom and the Gruffalo and Revolting Rhymes films, Rob Brydon leads the vocal ensemble, this time serving as the narrator, in the Hans Conried tradition. It is none other than the old Doctor, David Tennant, giving voice to the rat—and what a rat he is.

We see plenty of the rat’s plundering. He really wants pastries, but he still chews up their vegetables, just out of spite. The situation is getting dire, but the duck has an idea. Usually, ducks aren’t so bright, but this one is different.

Frankly, it is a little surprising the festival isn’t playing up Highway Rat more, considering the voice talent involved and the Oscar track record of previous Magic Light/BBC specials. Regardless, this is an enjoyable film, with an admirable takeaway: hard work and productivity are more rewarding than parasitic redistribution. Plus, the comeuppance is kind of clever.

Clocking in at a broadcast-friendly twenty-five minutes, Highway Rat is definitely the centerpiece of the Shorts for Tots program. There are enough furry animals and the quality of the animation (not Studio Ghibli, but still colorful and faithful to Axel Scheffler’s original illustrations) is high enough to satisfy most animation fans. Highly recommended for family viewing, The Highway Rat screens this Saturday (3/3) and Sunday (3/4), as well as March 10^th, 11^th, 17^th, and 18^th, during this year’s NYICFF.

Aspen Shortsfest ’13: Room on the Broom

Evidently, some animals think it’s a good gig to be a witch’s familiar.  One hospitable witch already has the requisite feline, but they will pick up considerable company in Room on the Broom (promo here), Max Lang & Jan Lachauer’s animated adaptation of the Julia Donaldson children’s book, which screens tomorrow at the 2013 Aspen Shortsfest.

Donaldson shorts have become a Christmas tradition for the BBC, even netting them an Oscar nomination for The Gruffalo.  Featuring big name voice talent and high quality animation, they have also become popular selections on the American festival circuit.  They are a bit formulaic, which is hardly surprising, considering they are produced for youngsters.  Like the Gruffalo films, Broom’s story involves furry animals using their wits to fool an exotic monster in the woods.  Indeed, these are brains-over-brawn lessons that parents should readily approve.

Initially, it is nothing but blue skies in Broom.  However, the spectacle of the witch and her cat swooshing through the air is quite appealing to the creatures they encounter.  Each one asks if there is room for them to hitch along.  Every time the cat says no (they are anti-social beasts), but the witch says yes.  As the party grows they attract the attention of a dragon skulking out of sight.

Gillian Anderson sort of lends her voice to the witch, but she laughs, sighs, and exclaims more than she talks, per se.  Rob Brydon returns for another Donaldson, bringing out the cat’s cattiness with uncharacteristic reserve.  Despite big names like Timothy Spall as the dragon and Simon Pegg handling narration, Broom is more visually driven, completely forgoing the Shrek-style hip wise-cracking for grown-ups.  It is also considerably more endearing for the same reason.

Just so there is no confusion, Broom was a twenty-six minute Christmas special, but not a Christmas story.  With nothing tying it to a specific season, it can be enjoyed at any time.  Recommended without reservation for young viewers and fans of gentler, more wholesome animation, Room on the Broom screens tomorrow (4/14) as part of Program Eleven: Family Fun at Aspen Shortsfest ’13.

NYICFF ’12: The Gruffalo’s Child (short)

This bogeyman has become an Academy Award nominated Christmas tradition. Like its predecessor, The Gruffalo’s Child (trailer here) debuted as a BBC Christmas Day special. Whether it also finds a place on the Oscar ballot remains to be seen, but Johannes Weiland and Uwe Heidschotter’s adaptation of Julia Donaldson’s children’s book should have a well established fan base for its screenings during the 2012 New York International Children’s Film Festival.

As Mother Squirrel told her little ones in the previous film, the Gruffalo was an ogre-like monster a wily mouse thought he was inventing to scare away his predators, yet it turned out to be quite real. Even a bogeyman needs a bogeyman, so the Gruffalo tells his daughter stories of the “big bad mouse” to keep her safely in the cave during the night. However, being a chip off the old block, she resolves to track down the supposed dread beast one dark and snowy eve. Eventually, she comes across the same sly mouse, who must do a spot of quick thinking to avoid becoming her midnight snack.

Gruffalo’s Child is very cute, with a brains-over-brawn message most parents will appreciate. It also looks like the animators have stepped up their game in the new installment, impressively rendering the sensation of motion and textures, while maintaining their focus on the young Gruffalo’s childlike expressions.

Adults should also be amused by the big name vocal talents, including Helena Bonham Carter, John Hurt, Tom Wilkinson, and Rob Brydon, who sadly never lets loose a Michael Caine impression as the sinister snake. However, jaded viewers will wonder just how the Gruffalo came to be a single parent (an amicable divorce or did Mrs. Gruffalo disappear under mysterious circumstances?). For those of us steeped in genre films, the young Gruffalo’s stick figure doll will also summon Blair Witch images that really have no place here.

Be that as it may, The Gruffalo’s Child is sweet and charming. At nearly half an hour’s running time, it is the central dominant selection of the Shorts for Tots program. Recommended without reservation for family viewing, The Gruffalo’s Child and the rest of the tots shorts screen again this Saturday (3/24) at the Scholastic Theater, as the 2012 NYICFF enters its final weekend at venues across the City.