The Elephant Programme for Families
Opening of the Families Elephant
Opening of the Families Elephant, 3+
Kinodvor, 1.12. at 17:00
The Opening Gala with a set of animated shorts for children aged 3 and over to enjoy—as well as everyone who still likes to look at the world through children’s eyes. Followed by a reception at the café.
Short film programme
First Timers: The Elephant in Competition I, 3+
Kinodvor, 6.12. at 10:00
To make your child’s first visit to the cinema or the Animateka festival a most enjoyable experience, an animator will be with you to guide the kids through this programme of animated films specially curated for the youngest audience, through play and conversation.
Narration in Slovene or no dialogue, English subtitles
The Elephant in Competition II, 7+
Kinodvor, 6.12. at 11:30
Narration in Slovenian or no dialogue, English subtitles
Best of the Elephant, 8+
Kinodvor, 7.12. at 17:00
The Children Jury presents a selection of award-winning films from this year’s Elephant in Competition.
The programme will be announced on 6 December and will be screened with English and Slovenian subtitles in case of films with dialogue.
Animated Feature Films
Arco, 9+
Kinodvor, 6.12. at 15:00
Kinobalon premiere
Slovenska kinoteka, 7.12. at 17:00
When Iris, 10, sees a strange boy in a rainbow suit fall from the sky, this is the beginning of her greatest adventure. Named Arco, the boy comes from the future where people live in harmony with nature and use rainbows to travel through time. Iris, who spends most of her time with a robot nanny and communicates with her parents via hologram calls, sets off with Arco to get him back home. On their journey, they find a world where people have forgotten about genuine connections, miracles, and imagination—but also a way to rediscover them.
A poignant, visually captivating animated adventure about friendship, courage, and the power of imagination, Arco reminds us that hope keeps shining like a rainbow after a storm.
In French with Slovenian subtitles
The Songbirds' Secret, 6+
Kinodvor, 7.12. at 15:00
When 9-year-old Lucie arrives for a vacation in a town where her mother grew up, she has no idea of the adventures ahead. While her mother is working on an archaeological site in the town castle with her colleague, Lucie explores the area with her dog Mandrin and Yann, a friendly boy from a nearby farm. Together, they find a mysterious key in a nest on the castle wall; venture into the forest and encounter an old man, a hermit the locals call Wizard; save a small badger, all the while accompanied by a pair of songbirds who seem to guide them… When they finally discover a secret passage under the castle, secrets begin to unravel.
Dubbed in Slovenian, with English subtitles
Tales from the Magic Garden, 7+
Kinodvor, 2.12. at 13:00
*This screening is accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing, and the blind and partially-sighted.
Slovenska kinoteka, 7.12. at 10:00
When Tom (4), Susan (8), and Derek (10) visit their grandfather for the first time since losing their beloved grandmother, they find the house quiet and their grandfather distant. Taking inspiration from her grandmother, Susan steps into the role of storyteller, using the power of her imagination and creating enchanting tales to bring warmth back into grandfather’s home and into their relationships. We delve into the world of a helpful mysterious cat, a not-so-scary monster, and a daring flying man. While being mysterious, dramatic, poignant, and funny, the stories also help the family find light in one of life’s darkest moment.
Dubbed in Slovenian, with English subtitles
The Elephant Marathon
Join the Elephant Marathon and see all the Elephant films in competition. Along with other members of the audience, you can cast your vote and choose your favourite to receive the Elephant Audience Award. The Elephant in Competition II and III programmes are followed by Q&A’s with the filmmakers—an excellent opportunity to learn how animated adventures are made!
Kinodvor, 6.12., at 10:00
10:00 First Timers: The Elephant in Competition I, 3+
11:30 The Elephant in Competition II, 7+
12:30 Break time: The Elephant Tea Party
13:00 The Elephant in Competition III, 11+
The Elephant Marathon ticket price is €12 (€9 for members of Kinobalon Club). Tickets for individual events are also available. Show your Elephant Marathon ticket at the Slovenian Cinematheque Box Office and get free entry to the Tales from the Magic Garden exhibition.