Magic Light Celebration: NYICFF Shorts Review
My kids have been loving all of the short films they have watched during NYICFF, but 2 short films shown in the Magic Light Celebration program have been their overall favorites of the whole festival. Both The Snail and the Whale and Zog and the Flying Doctors from Magic Light Pictures have captured the hearts of my kids, and it’s no wonder why. The short films are based on Julia Donaldson’s children’s books! Here is our review of the NYICFF Magic Light Celebration program.
Yes, Princesses can be Doctors! Zog and the Flying Doctors.
The synopsis of the short Zog and the Flying Doctors does not give it justice. Not only do the Doctors fly around the Kingdom administering vaccines, but they also help injured, stuck, and sick animals as well. My girl’s loved the fact that Princess Pearl followed her dreams and became a Doctor. When the King made his statement of how Princesses cannot be Doctors both of my girls screamed at the TV “Yes they can!”. The short film also served as a great way to talk about diseases and how they spread. The animation of the short is whimsical and beautiful.
Zog and the Flying Doctors Synopsis
Zog and the Flying Doctors picks up where Zog left off, as Princess Pearl achieves her dreams of being a doctor. Together with Zog the dragon and Sir Gadabout, the flying trio criss-cross the kingdom giving vaccinations to creatures of all stripes. But Pearl’s uncle, the orange-faced King, is doubtful and disapproving and ends up sick. Will he learn to trust in Pearl, and science, and rethink what it means to be royal?
But my kids all time favorite of NYICFF 2021 is The Snail and the Whale
The Snail and the Whale is another short based on Julia Donaldson’s children’s book. My kids sat in awe watching the Snail swim around the world while on the back fin of the Whale. The animation is spectacular. The detail and colors are just perfect for the story. (It feels like you are right there with the snail visiting all of the amazing places.) The story is also very heartwarming and full of lessons to be learned. Such as that even though you might think you are small in comparison to the rest of the world you can still do big and incredible things. We love The Snail and the Whale and cannot wait to see what other adventures they may go on.
The Snail and the Whale Synopsis
When a tiny snail (charmingly voiced by Sally Hawkins) longs to see the world, it hitches a ride onto a great big, grey-blue humpback whale. Together they go on an amazing, gloriously animated journey, past icebergs and volcanoes, sharks and penguins, and marvel at the vast wonders of the world, and size seems like strength to the snail. But when the whale is beached in a bay, it’s the tiny snail who just might save the day.
