JBFC Kids is an exciting initiative designed to further our mission of film-for-all by deepening the experience of young viewers (and their families) and welcoming a new generation of cinema-lovers and media-makers into our community. We’ll be making the theater-going experience more inviting and engaging for kids, hosting FREE hands-on drop-in activities on the first Saturday of select months, and offering a full roster of courses and workshops for ages 3–13! Take a look at all our JBFC Kids offerings below.
Sign up for our JBFC Kids e-bulletin to stay up-to-date on all of our course offerings and film programming for kids and their families!
WHAT IS JBFC KIDS?
JBFC Kids is an exciting initiative for kids ages 3–13, designed to welcome a new generation of film lovers, (and their families) into our community. JBFC Kids film screenings are inviting and engaging experiences at our five screen cinema, Family Saturdays @ the Lab provides free hands-on activities at our Media Arts Lab, and we’ll continue to offer a full roster of courses and workshops.
WHAT IS THE JBFC KIDS PASSPORT?
Pick up your JBFC Kids passport on your first visit, then collect a stamp for each film, course/workshop, or Family Saturday @ the Lab that you attend. Win a prize for every 3 stamps in your passport!
ARE MOVIES SHOWN AT JBFC KIDS DIFFERENT FROM MOVIES WE’D SEE AT THE MULTIPLEX?
Yes! These monthly movie selections will range from shorts to classics to contemporary new releases from around the world. Select films will also be accompanied by free all-ages hands-on activities.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY “KID-FRIENDLY” SCREENING?
JBFC Kids film screenings take the comfort and happiness of your kids into account. We feature low-light screenings for our youngest audience members and kid-friendly snacks will be available.
WHAT DO THE AGE RECOMMENDATIONS MEAN?
All film programs have accompanied age recommendations. These rating suggestions are based on the film’s content advisory and our experience as children’s film programmers. As the parent, you have the best understanding of what is suitable for your child. We encourage you to select the film that best fits the maturity of your child and to accompany them to every screening.
For more content advisory information, please visit www.commonsensemedia.org
WHAT TYPE OF ACTIVITIES WILL ACCOMPANY THE FILMS?
Hands-on activities inspired by JBFC Kids films will incorporate iPad, film, or craft projects, and many will give you the opportunity to use our photo booth! These will be fun projects for the whole family to create together!
Activities will take place at Saturday screenings only, for one hour before, and half an hour following the films.
IS THERE A PLACE TO TAKE A BREAK FROM THE MOVIE?
If a screening gets to be too much for your little one there are benches in our lobby, as well as a seating area on our 3rd floor.
WHAT ARE FAMILY SATURDAYS @ THE LAB?
Family Saturdays @ the Lab is a FREE event held on the first Saturday of select months from 1:00–3:00. We offer a drop-in schedule, so you may arrive to the program when you like. Each month we explore a new film-related theme, and each of the three featured activities will be centered on that theme. Our faculty and staff will guide you with a brief demonstration of each of the three projects. All materials will be provided.
WHERE DO FAMILY SATURDAYS @ THE LAB TAKE PLACE?
Family Saturdays @ the Lab take place at our Media Arts Lab, located down the street from the JBFC Theater in Pleasantville, NY. The building address is 405 Manville Rd., Pleasantville, NY 10570.
WHAT IS THE MEDIA ARTS LAB?
The Media Arts Lab is the hub of our education initiatives. This 27,000-square-foot production space features state-of-the art technology, including an animation studio, a fully equipped soundstage, a recording studio, workshop space, a 60-seat screening room, 16 editing suites, and an equipment room stocked with audio and visual recording technology. Our building is wheelchair accessible and there are a limited number of cubbies available to you, should you choose to use them.
WHAT DOES “DROP-IN” MEAN?
“Drop-in” means you can partake in our program at the time that is most convenient for you and your family. Stop by our Media Arts Lab any time between 1:00 and 3:00 on select Saturdays to join in the fun. No advance ticketing or reservations are required.
WHAT IS YOUR EARLY-BIRD PERK FOR MEMBERS?
JBFC Film Family Members and above are invited to arrive to Family Saturdays @ the Lab at 12:30. Show your JBFC membership card to enjoy an extra half-hour of fun. Find out more about JBFC membership levels and benefits online.
WHAT TYPES OF ACTIVITIES CAN I EXPECT AT FAMILY SATURDAYS @ THE LAB?
Each month Family Saturdays @ the Lab features hands-on activities. All of our activities encourage thoughtful and engaged media-production. Past activities include: sound editing in our recording studio, 2D and 3D animation filmmaking, a virtual rock band on iPad instruments, hand-made film strip coloring and live projection, hand-made electric guitars, live green-screening, and an interactive digital puppet show (just to name a few).
HOW DO FAMILY SATURDAYS @ THE LAB ACTIVITIES DIFFER EACH MONTH?
Each Family Saturdays @ the Lab program is designed around a specific theme related to that month’s family film programming. Past themes have included: sound, character, and lighting, among others. Past family films have included: Horsefeathers, Safety Last, The Pink Panther, The Boy in the World, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, and The Muppets.
IS THERE AN AGE LIMIT FOR FAMILY SATURDAYS @ THE LAB?
We do our very best to provide an all-ages experience. Many of our featured activities are best suited for children ages 4 and up. We strongly encourage guardian participation. Your attention, encouragement, and enthusiasm will certainly contribute to your child’s experience at the Media Arts Lab.
CAN I KEEP THE MEDIA I MAKE?
Yes! All digital media creations will be distributed to you after the event via a download link which will be emailed to the address you provide upon your arrival.
WHY ARE THERE NO FAMILY SATURDAYS @ THE LAB FROM MAY THROUGH SEPTEMBER?
We take a warm-weather break from May through September because at that time, our Media Arts Lab is filled with excited campers in grades 3–12! Our Summer @ the Lab program runs Mon. –Fri. from 9:00–4:00. Registration for summer opens in December. Although Family Saturdays @ the Lab goes on hiatus, our family film programming is year-round! See our film calendar to learn what’s coming up.
WHAT KINDS OF CLASSES CAN MY KID TAKE?
The JBFC offers a variety of innovative media and filmmaking programs. For complete course descriptions and schedules, please visit the Courses at the Lab section of our website.
HOW LONG IS EACH CLASS?/HOW MANY WEEKS DO COURSES RUN?
Most of our the Media Arts Lab courses run for either 6 weeks or 12 weeks, depending on the grade level and type of course. Most classes are roughly 2–2.5 hours long. One-day workshops are also available on select Saturdays. For full details please visit the Courses at the Lab section of our website.
HOW DO I REGISTER FOR CLASSES?
To register for a class or workshop go to our education page, and click on Courses at the Lab. You will find full descriptions of our courses, and registration information.
ARE THERE DISCOUNTS OR SCHOLARSHIPS?
Spaces are reserved in every course for students who demonstrate financial need. We encourage students to seek the support that will allow them to participate in Media Arts Lab programs. Full and partial scholarships are available. All JBFC Film Family Members and above receive a 10% discount on courses.
WHERE CAN I SEE EVERYTHING AVAILABLE FOR JBFC KIDS?
Check out the JBFC Kids page on our website to find all upcoming JBFC Kids films, courses, and information about FREE Family Saturdays @ the Lab!
JBFC Kids films programmed by Emily Ohara