By Sonja Sharp
Special to DNAInfo
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS—You don't have to be small to get a big kick out of the unicorns and crocodiles amassing in Washington Heights this week for the third annual KidCinemaFest, a celebration of children's cinema from around the globe.
New Yorkers of all sizes are invited to enjoy more than 40 flicks from countries like Latvia and Taiwan, including a retrospective by acclaimed Spanish director Maite Ruiz de Austri and other award-winning features for tots and tweens.
The festival begins with the stateside premiere of "3 to the Rescue," a 3D animated epic from the Dominican Republic, showing at Columbia University Medical Center Alumni Hall at 650 W. 168th St. Sunday at 5 p.m.
"The third edition of KidCinemaFest is defined by new perspectives and a significant expansion of our goal," Armando Guareño, the festival's executive director, said in a press release. "Our aim is not simply to produce a good showing of worldwide children cinema, but to expand and cultivate different young audiences, and to be accessible to the community at large."
The festival will play at Coliseum Cinemas at 701 W. 181st St. throughout the week, closing on Oct. 30 with the slightly more grown-up live action film "The Crocodiles Strike Back," recommended for kids 10 and older.
"In supporting the festival, my hope is to not only give young people the chance to see other cultures, but also inspire them to express themselves artistically," said festival co-sponsor Councilmember Ydanis Rodriguez.
"I encourage New Yorkers of all ages to come see these films, and to leave the theater inspired to create."
