Children’s International Film Festival 2025 (CHIFF 2025) brings a world of wonder to Melbourne and Sydney this June and July, featuring 24 films that will ignite young imaginations. Among these are three from France, each offering beloved characters or fresh takes on classic stories. Bambi’s timeless tale gets a stunning reimagining. Lovable bear and mouse duo Ernest and Celestine return for more heart-warming adventures. We get an inspiring glimpse into the childhood of iconic artist Frida Kahlo. Screened in English, these enchanting films make it the perfect opportunity for Australian families to experience the magic of cinema from around the globe.
Bambi, a Tale of Life in the Woods
Country: France
Runtime: 85m
Director: Michel Fessler
Language: English
Adapted from Felix Salten’s 1923 novel Bambi, a Tale of Life in the Woods, this new telling of Bambi’s story retraces the first years of a fawn’s life, and the trials he must face in the woods.
From the very first days of his life as a young fawn, Bambi marvels at everything that surrounds him. His tender and loving mother teaches him the key things he needs to know to survive, and he makes many friends among the forest animals as he grows. When autumn arrives and Bambi is suddenly orphaned, he must continue learning how to protect himself from the many dangers of the wild.
Made with real animals, which were treated with compassion and care, this classic tale is a hymn to nature, teaching us that we must always remain hopeful in the face of life’s challenges.
Ernest and Celestine: Spring Tales
Country: France
Runtime: 65m
Director: Aurélie Raphaël
Language: English
After delighting CHIFF audiences in 2024 in the feature film Ernest and Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia, CHIFF is thrilled to present more adventures about the unlikely best friends Ernest the grizzly bear and Celestine the mouse.
Spring Tales is a new collection of four charming stories from the most recent series of the French television series Ernest and Célestine, which capture the beauty of spring. Ernest and Celestine enter each other into talent contests without telling the other; Celestine attempts to recreate a scent that Ernest remembers from his childhood when the seasons changed; there is a mystery about who is doing spring-themed drawing all over town; and Ernest is upset when Celestine is invited to a mouse-only flower festival.
These sessions include the bonus episode The Mouse Club, where Celestine convinces a reluctant Ernest to go to the beach.
Countries: France, Canada
Runtime: 82m
Directors: Karine Vézina, André Kadi
Language: English
This traditionally animated film brings the vibrant world of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo to life for a whole new generation of children. Focusing on Frida’s childhood growing up in Coyoacán, Mexico City at the start of the last century, it is the story of a little girl who viewed the world around her in a way that would inspire her to become one of the most distinctive and important painters in the world.
Sparkling and bursting with life, everything interests young Frida. When difficulties arise, she faces them with an overflowing imagination. She adapts to living with disability, discovers her artistic style, learns about politics and begins to explore her identity. Throughout the film Frida discovers and is inspired by the culture and traditions of her ancestors while also learning about the power of forgiveness, acceptance and resilience.
KEY INFO FOR CHIFF 2025
WHAT: Children’s International Film Festival (CHIFF 2025)
WHERE:
Melbourne: Cameo Cinemas, Belgrave; Classic Cinemas, Elsternwick; and Lido Cinemas, Hawthorn
Sydney: Ritz Cinema, Randwick
WHEN: 7 June – 20 July 2025
HOW: Purchase you tickets for these films via the links above.
HOW MUCH: Ticket prices are as follows:
- Single Admission $16.50 (Valid for adult, child, senior, and concession admission).
- Member Tickets $14.50 (Max two discounted tickets per member. Valid for all types of memberships.)
- Family Pass $56 (Two adults and two children or one adult and three children.)
Discounted tickets are available for groups of 20 or more ($13 per ticket) Make an enquiry by emailing [email protected]
Have you been to CHIFF before? WIll you go to CHIFF 2025?
