Recommended ages 9 and up
Black stories take the spotlight in these films that share the joy, determination, resilience, and complexity of being Black and young. Explore a range of genres and styles in a program that spans the globe.
![](/content/dam/ngaweb/calendar/community/2022/animation-fest/promo-animation-fest-kf2-comic-escape1.jpg)
Comic Escape
United States
Live Action, Alphonso McAuley, 2021, 15 min.
In English
A young boy unexpectedly finds a comic book that changes his reality.
![](/content/dam/ngaweb/calendar/community/2022/animation-fest/promo-animation-fest-kf1-cupids-375.jpg)
Cupids
United States
Live Action, Zoey Martinson, 2021, 10 min.
In English
This whimsical comedy love letter to New York's essential workers follows a whole class on the last day of school as they scheme to find the perfect partner for their adored bus driver, Ms. Cheryl, and save her from a lonely summer without them.
![](/content/dam/ngaweb/calendar/community/2022/animation-fest/promo-animation-fest-cbs-the-coder.jpg)
Generation Impact: The Coder
United States
Documentary, Samantha Knowles, 2021, 7 min.
In English
Jay Jay Patton was only 13 when she designed and built an app to help kids connect with their incarcerated parents, inspired by her own experience. Now she is creating a coding academy to help other kids do the same.
![](/content/dam/ngaweb/calendar/community/2022/animation-fest/promo-animation-fest-cbs-maluum.jpg)
My Name is Maluum
Brazil
Animation, Luísa Copetti, 2021, 8 min.
In Portuguese, with English subtitles
Maalum comes from a home surrounded by love and Afro-centered references. When her classmates tease her about her name, Maluum discovers the lovely legacy of her name and ancestry.
![](/content/dam/ngaweb/calendar/community/2022/animation-fest/promo-animation-fest-cbs-america.jpg)
The Night I Left America
Uganda, United States
Live Action, Laki Karavias, 2021, 14 min.
English, Luganda with English subtitles
While anxiously awaiting the results of his mothers visa renewal request, a teenage boy living Texas conjures memories of his life in Uganda.
![](/content/dam/ngaweb/calendar/community/2022/animation-fest/promo-animation-fest-cbs-room-rodeo.jpg)
Room Rodeo
United States
Live Action, Daniel Kayamba, 2021, 14 min.
In English
Grounded and with a last-minute school project due, Jamil takes matters into his own hands in order to prove he is the great grandson of a legendary Black cowboy.
![](/content/dam/ngaweb/calendar/community/2022/animation-fest/promo-animation-fest-cbs-wolf-cub-1.jpg)
Wolf and Cub
United States
Animation, Marvin Bynoe, 2021, 8 min.
In English
A father and son cross a world of imagination in order to return a bag of their mother's forgotten lunch.