Release Date: March 30, 2009

National Gallery of Art Presents Film Program for Children and Teens Featuring Acclaimed Films From Around the World

Washington, DC—Presenting the only program of its kind in the Washington area, the National Gallery of Art offers a unique film series for children and teens with a monthly lineup of new films from around the world, hot off the film festival circuit. The program frequently presents area premieres and exclusive public screenings in Washington, such as the upcoming Go West! A Lucky Luke Adventure.

These innovative films enhance enjoyment of the Gallery's collections and exhibitions and foster an understanding of film as an art form. The program aims to represent a broad range of recently produced foreign and domestic films, including a variety of animation styles, live action, and classics. Films are selected for their appeal to youth and adult audiences; age recommendations are intended to guide parents in selecting emotionally and intellectually stimulating films for their children.

With the Gallery's ongoing schedule of family-friendly activities and shopping—including family workshops, special family weekends, storytelling programs, teen studios, exhibition discovery guides, the Children's Shop, and casual dining in the Cascade's Café—visitors of all ages can enjoy these cultural offerings. For more information about family programming, visit www.nga.gov/programs/family.

Film Programs
Feature films are in English, unless otherwise noted. All film programs are shown in the East Building Auditorium, and seating is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Groups are welcome. Food and drink are not permitted. Programs are free and subject to change without notice. For up-to-date information on the current month's films, please call (202) 789-3030.

Planet Film
Saturday, April 18, 10:30 a.m.
Sunday, April 19, 11:30 a.m.
Ages 6 and up
Celebrate Earth Day with this series of international short films about nature. Visually stunning and thought-provoking, each film includes a message about caring for the environment. Films include The Tree Elves (China/Russian Federation/U.S., 2008, 7 minutes), The Night Wood (U.S., 2008, 4 minutes), Papiroflexia (U.S., 2007, 3 minutes), Maybe (Canada, 2007, 2 minutes), Don't Let It All Unravel (U.K., 2007, 2 minutes), World in Your Hands (Norway, 2007, 3 minutes), Maq and the Spirit of the Woods (Canada, 2007, 9 minutes), The Mantis Parable (U.S., 2005, 8 minutes), and Tide (Denmark, 2006, 8 minutes).

Leonardo: A Dream of Flight
(Allan King, Devine Entertainment, Canada, 1999, 50 minutes)
Saturday, May 16, 10:30 a.m.
Sunday, May 17, 11:30 a.m.
Ages 7 and up
In this live-action drama set in 16th-century Italy, 11-year-old Roberto befriends Leonardo da Vinci. Together, they chase their dreams of flight through scientific contemplation, creativity, and hard work.

Go West! A Lucky Luke Adventure
Washington Premiere
(Olivier Jean Marie, France, 2007, 90 minutes)
Saturdays, June 13 and 20, 10:30 a.m.
Sundays, June 14 and 21, 11:30 a.m.
Ages 7 and up
Based on the popular Franco-Belgian comic book series, Go West! A Lucky Luke Adventure (Tous à l'Ouest: Une aventure de Lucky Luke) is the first feature film about the renowned wandering cowboy who rides Jolly Jumper, fights crime and injustice, and is known to "shoot faster than his shadow." This adventure has Luke leading a group of settlers from New York to California—a trip they have to make in 80 days in order to claim their land from the evil Crook—while also battling the bumbling Dalton Brothers, a gang of robbers who have hidden their loot in a covered wagon but cannot remember which one. Filled with sight gags, action sequences, and witty narrative, this comedy entertains both children and adults. In French with English subtitles.