In this collection of short films for children and their families, cute animals and inquisitive insects spring to life in vibrant stories. Characters learn about kindness, curiosity, and heart as they defeat negativity and overcome bullying by working together—with a dose of magic and explosions for good measure! Find out why this is one of the most popular sections of Show Me Shorts.

Run Time: 61 min

Best for: ages 7-12 years

Rating: G

First Haircut!
Animation, 6m, United States
A shaggy puppy is heading to the groomer for her first haircut. But wait, there is a problem: the puppy is terribly fearful!
Dir/Writ: Ivo Kos
Prod: Juck Somsaman

Grounded
Animation, 4m, NZ
As dawn breaks, a loveliness of ladybirds takes to the sky, all except Bug, who is left behind and unable to fly.
Dir/Writ/Prod: Chris Callus
Writ/Prod: Adam Reynolds

They
Animation, 8m, United Kingdom
As townsfolk rage in their fog of negativity, our hero and his dog aim to encourage a return to better days!
Dir/Writ: Renée Zellweger
Writ: Paul Smith
Prod: Tora Young

Lemonade
Comedy, 10m, NZ
In the cutthroat business world of lemonade stands, sister-and-brother dream team Suzy and Jack become bitter rivals as they chase success and sweet profits.
Dir/Writ/Prod: Logan Sutherland
Prod: Jennifer Onyeiwu

Bug’s Story
Animation, 11m, Norway
A story about bullying and the friendship between two little outcasts: a clumsy caterpillar boy and an unpopular beetle girl.
Dir/Writ/Prod: Natalia Malykhina Bratli

Seedlings
Animation, 9m, NZ
In a lush forest, three young seedlings, Aro, Hunu and Mo, prepare for the ceremonial moment that will allow them to plant themselves and grow into mighty trees.
Dir: Seung-Woo Hong
Writ: Emilie Hope, Mark Joyce
Prod: Kelsey O’Hagan, David Sowry

ChikaBOOM!
Animation, 9m, United States
Chika Batstone is an aspiring young magician whose curiosity accidentally unleashes Kaboom, a chaotic magical creature, into the heart of New York City.
Dir/Writ/Prod: C. Craig Patterson
Prod: Benjamin Michel, Kacie Lehner, Alyssa Katalyna, Ben Lock, Marisa X Castro

Contact the host of Whānau Friendly - Show Me Shorts Film Festival