Northwest Film Forum

Challenges can bring out the best in us. The kids in these live action films face uphill battles that are long and steep, and they shine in the face of adversity. Meet a warrior child who must embrace her unique identity, a boy who becomes a superhero to his friend, a son who must stand up for his father, and a girl who faces loneliness and danger in order to get an education.

A Place in the Middle
(Dean Hamer, USA, 2014, 24 min) In English and Hawaiian.
Ho’onani, who is 11, dreams of leading the hula troupe at her inner-city Honolulu school. The only trouble is that the group is just for boys. 

The Amber Amulet
(Matthew Moore, Australia, 2013, 22 min) In English.
The story of a kid, a beagle, an amulet made of amber and how they all work together to help a woman who is broken.

Layla’s Melody
(Jens Pedersen, Denmark, 2013, 16 min) In Dari and Pashto, with English subtitles.
A girl from a war-torn village in Afghanistan now lives in Kabul, away from her mother. But she is happy to be going to music school.

Hear This!
(Soulaima El Khaldi, Netherlands, 2013, 15:13 min) In Dutch and Dutch sign language, with English subtitles.
Tristan’s dad is his soccer hero. It makes sense that he should coach his son’s team, but the club doesn’t see it that way.

For ages 11+

Notes for parents: Issues in this meaty but very inspirational program include gender identification, domestic violence (which is discussed but does not happen on camera), divorce and oppression of girls and women. Limited coarse language and smoking in one film. 

Trailers:

The Amber Amulet

A Place in the Middle