Utah Film Center Presents Free Kids Films and Media Arts Activities In November

Utah Film Center announced a lineup of films and media arts programs for kids available in November to stream for free, including Tumbleweeds Favorites and Programming For The Young And Young at Heart

Utah Stories

November 7, 2020

“Kidvember” Streaming Titles Include Tumbleweeds Favorites and Programming For The Young And Young at Heart

Utah Film Center announced a lineup of films and media arts programs for kids available in November to stream for free. With a focus on international stories and the impactful films programmed in the annual Tumbleweeds Film Festival, “Kidvember” is a month-long celebration of film to inspire future leaders. The films presented reinforce the idea that anyone, regardless of background, age, religion, or circumstance can make a positive impact in the world. In addition, Utah Film Center is offering online workshops and other activities throughout the month.

Patrick Hubley, Utah Film Center Executive Director, said, “We know that the moving image is a powerful storytelling medium, and that movies can help us process, decompress, and escape when the world feels complicated or complex. Our programming team has curated a engaging program of films and activities that will inspire viewers of all ages, encourage conversations, and engage the creative spirit of our younger audience members.”

KIDVEMBER Film Programming:

Themes explored in these films include familial love, loyalty, coming of age, female empowerment and perseverance. Films will be available for a 48 hour period once started. Preorder films now at UtahFilmCenter.org/Kidvember.

From Rocca Changeds the World. Images courtesy of Utah Film Center.

Tuesday, November 10

Rocca Changes The World directed by Katja Benrath

A modern-day, punk rock Pippi Longstocking, Rocca comes from a family of astronauts—but she’s no space cadet. Smart, intrepid, and ready to save the world—from protecting the littlest squirrel to challenging the biggest bully—there’s virtually nothing she can’t handle. Well, except maybe missing her dad while he’s on a space mission. Somehow, we think she’ll even ace earthly matters.

Themes: self-determination, friendship, kindness | Recommended for ages 8+.

Tuesday, November 17

Inventing Tomorrow directed by Laura Nix

Meet passionate teenage innovators from around the globe who are creating scientific cutting-edge solutions to confront the world’s environmental threats. Take a journey with these inspiring teens as they prepare their projects for the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).

Themes: young leaders, environmental awareness, women in science | Recommended for ages 8+. This film is presented in collaboration with the Asia Center at the University of Utah.

Tuesday, November 24

The Day My Father Became a Bush directed by Nicole van Kilsdonk
When war breaks out in the south, Toda’s father has to defend his country. Toda is sent to stay with her mother, who lives in a neighboring land… not a simple journey in wartime. But Toda is a plucky girl who doesn’t give up easily – she is determined to find her mother. An adventurous story with laughs, thrills, and emotion.

Themes: friendship, loyalty, self-determination | Recommended for ages 10+.

KIDVEMBER Media Arts Programming:

Utah Film Center celebrates organizations creating cutting-edge media arts work for young audiences in Utah and around the globe. During the month of November, Utah Film Center is thrilled to collaborate with local artists and storytellers to present informative and engaging work for kids of all ages. Programming will include a special presentation from world-renowned animator Stephen Anderson, Drag Queen Story Hour with Gia Bianca Stephens and more. Specific projects available for free during Kidvember to be announced in the coming days at UtahFilmCenter.org/Kidvember.

BEHIND THE ANIMATION For Classrooms:

Teachers: Bring the Utah Film Center Media Education department to your (virtual) classroom!

Behind the Animation is an introductory program that takes 3rd-8th grade students on a behind-the-scenes journey into the magical world of visual storytelling.

Guided by a professional animator in English or Spanish, this workshop will illuminate elements of visual storytelling with specific attention paid to the use of color, shapes, facial expressions, and body language.

The 30-minute interactive Webex presentation is free, open now, and runs continuously throughout the school year: https://www.utahfilmcenter.org/education/#InYour(Virtual)Classroom

Utah Film Center inspires and engages diverse audiences to initiate conversation and community building through curated film exhibition, educational programs, and artist support. Programs include statewide free film screenings, Tumbleweeds Film Festival for Children & Youth, Damn These Heels LGBTQ Film Festivals, filmmaker Fiscal Sponsorship, and media education programs for both teachers and students. Utah Film Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and its programs are generously supported by Zions Bank, Salt Lake County Zoo Arts and Parks, and George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. For more information visit utahfilmcenter.org.

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To understand what Alta really looked like, you don’t begin with legend. You begin with its trash — and this time, that happened almost by accident.

Alta Ski Area was installing underground water reservoirs to support snowmaking. Because the project sits on Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest land, an archaeologist was required to monitor the excavation. No one expected the trench to produce much.

But, It did.

Artifacts began surfacing almost immediately. Enough that the Forest Service contacted the Utah State Historic Preservation Office for help. Lexi Little, who coordinates the Utah Cultural Site Stewardship Program, helped mobilize nearly 30 volunteers to assist with what quickly became a focused two-week excavation.

Winter deadlines were approaching. The pipes for the reservoirs had to go in the ground. There wasn’t time for a slow, extended dig.

“It was two weeks of digging in the dirt and helping figure out exactly what we were looking at,” Little said.

Most of the people screening soil weren’t professional archaeologists. They were trained stewards from around Utah — part of a statewide volunteer network that now approaches 500 people. They poured dirt through shaker screens, scanning for fragments that could piece together a town long buried.

“Archaeology is human trash,” Little explained. “Archaeologists are very into trash.”

Alta had left plenty behind.

https://youtu.be/hzIHzx3OGoo?si=dKcl2CEz-t6FZzYw

Victorian-style ceramics appeared first — the kind typically used in hotels. Medicine bottles followed. Ink bottles. Hand-blown glass. A porcelain doll’s foot surfaced from the soil, a small detail that shifted the mental image of the town. Families were here. Children were here. This wasn’t only a camp of miners.

The bottles helped establish time. Manufacturing details — whether glass was hand-blown or mold-made, whether a maker’s mark appeared on the base — allowed archaeologists to date many of the artifacts to the 1870s through the 1890s, when Alta was booming as a silver mining town.

“That gives you that range of dates for when Alta was really booming,” Little said.

One reusable soda bottle clearly stamped “Salt Lake City” connected the canyon to the valley economy below.

Then something unusual rolled out of a dirt pile.

A corked bottle. Intact. Liquid still inside.

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