Best of BAMkids Film Festival: Ages 3—5

A selection of the most popular films for ages three to five from this year’s BAMkids Film Festival, including Tsuru, The Naughty Seat, and Honorable Mention winner Lena's Farm: Full Nest.

BAMkids invited a group of amazing kids to preview and assist in selecting films for select programs. A huge thanks to:
Subira Ambrose
Leilani Freeman-Minnis
Luna Freeman-Minnis
Jahleel Justin Joseph
Brynn Longobardo
Piper Longobardo
Zen Gosain
Zia Gosain

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First Flight (2025)
Dir. Adrián Jaffé, 3min
Germany
Nonverbal

Three baby birds, one big challenge: their first flight! But as the frogs begin their peculiar performance, the sky turns into a whirlwind of improvisation—some birds twirl, some hover, and others just hope for the best.

Meevil the Weevil: Breakfast of Champions (2024)
Dir. Kyle Arneson, 3min
US
Nonverbal

Meevil the Weevil is a little bug with big dreams of being a stunt person—but the first job is to organize breakfast.

Tsuru (2024)
Dir. Pedro Anias, 6min
Brazil
Nonverbal

A sleeping sheet of paper sets off on a transformative journey after being awoken by Tsuru, a Japanese origami bird.

Lena's Farm: Full Nest (2025)
Dir. Elena Walf, 5min
Croatia, Germany
Nonverbal

The squirrel's nest is warmly padded for the cold winter with all kinds of stolen goods. But when a flood breaks out and forest animals flee to Lena's farm, the squirrel would like to help them.

Ananasi (2025)
Dir. Anna Bawa, 4min
Sri Lanka, Russia
In English
East Coast Premiere

Three happy animals eat a pineapple, grow a pineapple, and dance a LOT!

Tummy Tom and the Lost Teddy Bear (2024)
Dirs. Joost Van Den Bosch & Erik Verkerk, 6min
Screenplay and narration by Burny Bos
Belgium and The Netherlands
In English

Tummy Tom and Cat Mouse search far and wide for a missing teddy, meeting new friends along the way.

The Naughty Seat (2025)
Dir. David Johnson, 7min
UK
Nonverbal

A little penguin is sent to the naughty seat for misbehaving at the dinner table—but it isn’t long before they have company.

Open Éire (2025)
Dir. Walter Giampaglia, 2min
Ireland
Nonverbal

Dáire, who aspires to be an animator, sits on his bedroom floor doodling images of the life he sees around him, and the things he reads about. As he doodles, his drawings come to life! Follow him on a humorous trip taking in the sights, smells, and sounds of Ireland’s culture and heritage, from farming to hurling, music, and dance, helped along by famous historical figures and beautiful maritime heritage.

Gotta Get Up and Dance (2025)
Dir. Jenny Hersch, 2min
Music and lyrics by Aline Shader
USA
In English

Do you dream about dancing? Join ILO and BO as they dance their way through the morning, filling their world with rhythm, color, and song!

The Cow (2024)
Dir. Maria Mac Dalland, 7min
Denmark
In English

Pixie comes to the rescue to make sure Cow has some cool, clean water to drink.

The Big Athlete (2024)
Dirs. Melina Aylén Andrada Bustos, Emilio Zapata Vellio, Nicole Camila Zelaya Aragón, 4min
Argentina
Nonverbal

Pepe, an enthusiastic hamster inspired by TV athletes, trains to be a runner. When a mishap sends him flying from his cage, he spots a marathon outside and sets out to escape his home to join it and fulfill his dream.

A Little Puffy Fart Revue (2025)
Dirs. Meike Fehre & Sabine Dully
Germany, 7min

Every art form has its stars, and some are louder—and funnier—than others.