Skip to main content
  • Featured
  • Calendar
  • Film
  • Music
  • Dance
  • Opera
  • Kids
  • Visual Art
  • Comedy
  • Classes
  • Galas & Events
  • Community
  • Sign Up
  • My Account
  • Log In
  • Log Out
  • Cart
  • Visit
  • Programs
  • Education
  • Membership
  • Support BAM
  • About
  • Featured
  • Calendar
  • Film
  • Music
  • Dance
  • Opera
  • Kids
  • Visual Art
  • Comedy
  • Classes
  • Galas & Events
  • Community
  • Visit
  • Programs
  • Education
  • Membership
  • Support BAM
  • About
  • Sign Up(current)
  • My Account(current)
  • Log In(current)
  • Log Out(current)
  • Cart(current)
  • Kids
  • | Film

Free To Be Me (Ages 9+)

Feb 3—Feb 4, 2024
    Part of
  • BAMkids Film Festival 2024

In partnership with Northwest Film Forum

It can sometimes be scary to be unapologetically yourself! These bold, inspiring shorts explore moments in which brave characters dazzle the world by showing their true colors. Kids’ passions, talents, and diverse backgrounds shine through in these international gems that celebrate individuality.

Please note: This year's festival is entirely film focused and does not include any live performances or workshops.



Head in the Clouds
(2023)
Dir. Rémi Durin, 10min
France
In French with English subtitles
New York premiere

Alfonso, a young squirrel, always has his head in the clouds. He loves watching them float by and sometimes even takes snapshots. His parents and friends find it hard to take this hobby seriously, but cloud-gazing is not always easy. In fact, Alfonso sometimes has to be as brave as some of the great explorers of our times.



Gaps (2023)
Dir. Ruth Carnegie, 11min
US
In English
New York premiere

A young girl from a close-knit family finds herself at a crossroads between keeping her gapped front teeth or risking it all for the seemingly “perfect” smile.



A Tiny Voyage (2022)
Dir. Emily Worms, 8min
France
In French with English subtitles
New York premiere


John sees an extraordinary sight: Titi, his parakeet, is opening the door of his cage all by himself! Yet the bird doesn’t fly away… So John decides to help Titi overcome his fears and the pair set out on a tiny voyage.



Jojo - A Toad Musical (2022)
Dir. Chelsea J. Jolly, 9min
US
In English
New York premiere

This creative and musical portrait follows JoJo Nyaribo, a young nature lover and wildlife advocate, as he explores the meaning of biodiversity and stewardship in his own backyard.



Blèh (2022)
Dir. Tim Alards, 4min
Netherlands
Nonverbal
New York premiere

In the eyes of an imaginative preschooler, telephone users are like zombies.



Joyce’s Neighborhood (2023)
Dir. Richard O’Connor, 3min
US
In English

Mary Mills grew up as an only child in the 60s in a quiet neighborhood near Santa Monica, California. Although Mary didn’t have siblings to play with, she was never lonely. There were plenty of children nearby and they all wanted to be at her house to hang out with Mary’s mother, Joyce Carter Mills.



One Week To Go - Emilie (2023)
Dir. Eva Krol, 15min
Netherlands
In Dutch with English subtitles
East Coast premiere

Emelie has been almost completely blind for six months due to a brain tumor. She really wants to walk to school on her own again. However, she can only do so with a white cane, and she has to cross a few dangerous intersections. Will she be able to walk to school safely all by herself?



The Rainbow Dung Beetle (2022)
Dirs. Ellen Mowat & Cole Dupzyk, 7min
US
In English
New York premiere

Accustomed to camouflaging himself with mud to hide from predators, Desmond the dung beetle learns from his new neighbors that his true colors can be used to his advantage.



Shark or Hyena (2023)
Dir. Britt Dunse, 15min
Germany
In German with English subtitles
East Coast premiere

Set on a fictional North Sea island, a young girl sets out on an adventure to look for the invisible elf who guards her family’s farm in this courageous story about the power of trust and magical connection.



The Girl with the Red Beret (2023)
Dir. Janet Perlman, 5min
Canada
No dialogue, singing in French
New York premiere

A girl takes a wild ride on the metro in Montreal.



The Rock Pool Waltz
(2021)
Dir. Marlon Denning, 8min
Australia
In English

During Covid lockdown, 14 year old filmmaker Marlon, records his affinity with nature to ease his loneliness, which leads to an incredible friendship.

UPCOMING Screenings

      RUNNING TIME

      95min

      VENUE

      Peter Jay Sharp Building
      BAM Rose Cinemas

      TICKET INFORMATION

      General Admission: $14
      Members: $9
      Children: $10

      Leadership support for
      BAM Access Programs provided by
      the Jerome L. Greene Foundation

      JL Greene

      Leadership support for
      BAM Film provided by
      the Ford Foundation and
      The Thompson Family Foundation

      • Share the Brooklyn magic! Donate to BAM today at BAM.org/support

      MORE BKFF

      • Kids | Film

        What a Wonderful World (Ages 3—5)

        Feb 3—Feb 4, 2024

        What a Wonderful World (Ages 3—5)

        Feb 3—Feb 4, 2024
        Featuring aliens, robots, and a very awkward cactus, these sweet and silly shorts celebrate all the wonder and curiosity our world holds.
        More
        Kids | Film

        What a Wonderful World (Ages 3—5)

        Feb 3—Feb 4, 2024
        These sweet and silly shorts celebrate all the wonder and curiosity our world holds.
      • Kids | Film

        Magical Friendships (Ages 6—8)

        Feb 3—Feb 4, 2024

        Magical Friendships (Ages 6—8)

        Feb 3—Feb 4, 2024
        Lighthearted short films celebrate those special bonds we make with others and prove that together we can accomplish just about anything.
        More
        Kids | Film

        Magical Friendships (Ages 6—8)

        Feb 3—Feb 4, 2024
        Characters find friends in unexpected places in these fabulous, far-fetched shorts!
      • Kids | Film

        Home Sweet Home (Ages 3—5)

        Feb 3—Feb 4, 2024

        Home Sweet Home (Ages 3—5)

        Feb 3—Feb 4, 2024
        Loveable characters learn to overcome small challenges, share and care for one another, and find time to enjoy nature in these gleeful, sweet stories of home.
        More
        Kids | Film

        Home Sweet Home (Ages 3—5)

        Feb 3—Feb 4, 2024
        Animated shorts celebrate adventures and friendship in the place that matters most.
      • Kids | Film

        All Together Now! (Ages 6—8)

        Feb 3—Feb 4, 2024

        All Together Now! (Ages 6—8)

        Feb 3—Feb 4, 2024
        Lighthearted short films celebrate those special bonds we make with others and prove that together we can accomplish just about anything.
        More
        Kids | Film

        All Together Now! (Ages 6—8)

        Feb 3—Feb 4, 2024
        Lighthearted short films prove that together we can accomplish just about anything!
      • Kids | Film

        Adventurous Creatures (Ages 6—8)

        Feb 3—Feb 4, 2024

        Adventurous Creatures (Ages 6—8)

        Feb 3—Feb 4, 2024
        These warm and fuzzy short films follow friends who prove that with determination and passion they can do just about anything.
        More
        Kids | Film

        Adventurous Creatures (Ages 6—8)

        Feb 3—Feb 4, 2024
        Characters prove that with determination and passion they can do just about anything.
      • FILM SERIES

        BAMkids Film Festival 2024

        Feb 3—Feb 4, 2024

        BAMkids Film Festival 2024

        Feb 3—Feb 4, 2024
        Celebrate courage and creativity with an imaginative collection of the year’s best short films for kids, featuring outrageously fun and inspiring tales from around the world.
        More
        FILM SERIES

        BAMkids Film Festival 2024

        Feb 3—Feb 4, 2024
        Brooklyn’s favorite BAMkids tradition returns with imaginative shorts from around the world.

      SUPPORT BAM

      • BAM Membership: Sign up
        MEMBERSHIP

        BAM Membership ($85+)

        BAM Membership ($85+)

        Enjoy half off stages and screens as a member. With valuable discounts, advance access to tickets, and invitations to special events, BAM Membership is your license to see more for less.
        JOIN
        BAM Membership: Sign up
        MEMBERSHIP

        BAM Membership ($85+)

        Enjoy half off stages and screens as a member. With valuable discounts, advance access to tickets, and invitations to special events, BAM Membership is your license to see more for less.
      • SUPPORT

        BAM Patrons ($2,000+)

        BAM Patrons ($2,000+)

        Priority access to premium seats, personalized ticket services, exclusive invitations, and more.
        MORE
        SUPPORT

        BAM Patrons ($2,000+)

        Priority access to premium seats, personalized ticket services, exclusive invitations, and more.
      • SUPPORT

        Young Producers ($500+)

        Young Producers ($500+)

        Young Producers are a dynamic group of patrons who share a unique passion for BAM programming and play an integral part in supporting BAM’s work.
        More
        SUPPORT

        Young Producers ($500+)

        Young Producers are a dynamic group of patrons who share a unique passion for BAM programming and play an integral part in supporting BAM’s work.

      Follow Us

      • Open BAM on Instagram
      • Open BAM on Youtube
      • FAQ
      • Visit
      • Donate Now
      • Membership
      • Press
      • Contact Us
      • Accessibility
      • Privacy Policy

      Brooklyn Academy of Music, 30 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
      info@BAM.org
      BAM is a 501(c)(3) | EIN 11-2201344​
      © Brooklyn Academy of Music, Inc. 2025, BAM®, Brooklyn Academy of Music®, Everybooty®, Next Wave® and Teknopolis® are trademarks of Brooklyn Academy of Music, Inc.