WHAT: KidsBestFest & Northampton Youth Cinema Festival
WHEN: Monday, April 15, 2024 - Thursday, April 27, 2024, 11:00 AM showtime, doors at 10:30 AM. Friday, April 28, 2024, 7:00 PM, doors at 6:30 PM.
WHERE: The Academy of Music Theatre, 274 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060
HOW MUCH: FREE, please donate to keep it free!
KidsBestFest is a week-long movie festival for kids and adults with free admission held during the spring school break at the Academy of Music Theatre. We show one movie a day and kick off the festival on Monday, April 15, 2024, at 11:00 AM, with doors open at 10:30 AM. This year, we proudly present the Northampton Youth Cinema Festival on Friday night. NYCF is a one-evening film festival showcasing the talent of regional high school and college students. It is produced by Northampton High School students in collaboration with the Northampton Arts Council.
Monday 4/15/24 - The Emperor's New Groove (2000) at 11:00 AM.
In this breezy, slapstick-laden cartoon, a vengeful advisor to the emperor turns his boss into a llama. The voice cast includes David Spade, John Goodman, and Eartha Kitt. Directed by Mark Dindal. Rated G. Runtime 78 minutes. Cast: David Spade, John Goodman, Eartha Kitt, Patrick Warburton, Wendie Malick.
Tuesday 4/16/24 - The Great Muppet Caper (1981) at 11:00 AM.
The Muppets are in London covering a jewel heist. Directed by Jim Henson. Rated G.
Runtime 95 minutes. Cast: Charles Grodin, Diana Rigg, John Cleese, Robert Morley, Peter Ustinov
Wednesday, 4/17/24 - Singin' in the Rain (1952) at 11:00 AM.
Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O'Connor star in one of the greatest musicals ever filmed. Musician Don Lockwood (Kelly) rises to stardom during Hollywood's silent-movie era--paired with the beautiful, jealous and dumb Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen). When Lockwood becomes attracted to young studio singer Kathy Selden (Reynolds), Lamont has her fired. But with the introduction of talking pictures, audiences laugh when they hear Lockwood speak for the first time--and the studio uses Selden to dub her voice. Set during the advent of "talkies," this film's classic song-and-dance numbers celebrate the beginning of movie musicals. Directed by Stanley Donen. Rated G. Runtime
103 minutes. Cast: Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen, Millard Mitchell.
Thursday 4/18/24 - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023) at 11:00 AM.
Raphael, Leonardo, Donatello, and Michelangelo are four turtle brothers with a unique set of skills and a penchant for mischief, which runs them afoul of New York City. Yet when a horde of sinister mutants begins to wreak havoc, the city must learn to rely on the turtles if they are to be saved. Directed by Jeff Rowe. Rated PG. Runtime 99 minutes. Cast: Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu, Brady Noon, Ayo Edebiri
Friday 4/19/24 - Northampton Youth Cinema Festival at 11:00 AM, door at 10:30 AM.
The Northampton Youth Cinema Festival (NYCF) is a unique and exciting event that occurs over a single day. It is a platform for young, regional high school and college students to showcase their filmmaking talents. A special feature of this festival is that it is produced by the students of Northampton High School, working closely with the Northampton Arts Council. This collaboration enriches the event by blending youthful creativity with professional guidance, elevating the quality of the films displayed. The NYCF encourages young filmmakers and promotes the importance of arts in the community.
Headline Sponsors: A2Z Science and Learning Store, Gage-Wiley & Co Inc, D.A. Sullivan & Sons
Media Sponsors: Daily Hampshire Gazette, The Republican, WRSI the River 99.3, WHMP
Organization Sponsors: City of Northampton, Massachusetts Cultural Council, Academy of Music Theatre
KidsBest is a co-production of the Northampton Arts Council and the Academy of Music Theatre.
