Films For Families At Sag Harbor Cinema

Following the success of the screenings of “Alice in Wonderland,” “Wolfwalkers” and “My Octopus Teacher,” Sag Harbor Cinema will establish a regular series of Saturday and Sunday matinées for children and families.

“One of the nicest surprises of our opening phase was to see so many children coming to the movies,” said the cinema’s artistic director, Giulia D’Agnolo Vallan. “They are the future of our cinema, and the future of film, so I was happy to imagine a program that would encourage their movie-loving instincts. Some of my best childhood memories are in front of the big screen, on Sunday afternoons. We’ll be showing classics and cartoons, of course, but also silents and some documentaries. I am thinking of an expanded notion of kids and family — after all in the earlier stages of cinema, most films were intended to be watched and enjoyed by everyone.

“Last year, when the pandemic hit, we were exploring a collaboration with the NY Children Film Festival, that, since our doors are finally open, we are now in a position to revisit,” she added. “Two of the films already selected for the program will be shown in collaboration with the Children’s Museum of the East End.”

The Kids and Families matinées will be shown each Saturday and Sunday, starting July 9. For tickets and showtimes, go to sagharborcinema.org.

Upcoming Family Films:

“Song of the Sea” July 9 and 10

Dir. Tomm Moore

Ireland, 2014; 93 mins, in English

Rated PG

Based on the Irish legend of the Selkies, “Song of the Sea” tells the story of the last seal-child, Saoirse, and her brother Ben, who go on an epic journey to save the world of magic and discover the secrets of their past. Pursued by the owl witch, Macha, and a host of ancient and mythical creatures, Saoirse and Ben race against time to awaken Saoirse’s powers and keep the spirit world from disappearing forever.

“Babe” July 17 and 18

Dir. Chris Noonan

USA, 1995; 90 mins, in English

Rated G

An adaptation of British writer Dick King Smith’s novel “The Sheep-Pig,” this early animatronics marvel is an ode to the power of aspirational dreams. Babe, an orphaned piglet, is chosen for a "guess the weight" contest at a county fair. The winning farmer, Arthur Hoggett (James Cromwell), brings Babe home and houses him in the barn with his border collie named Fly, her mate Rex and their puppies. While trying to fit in with the other barnyard animals, Babe learns the skill of sheep herding through Fly’s teachings and enters a competition.

“The Red Turtle” July 24 and 25

Dir. Michaël Dudok de Wit

France/Japan, 2016; 80 mins

Rated PG

A collaboration between Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli and Dutch animator Michael Dudok de Wit, this lovingly drawn story of a man shipwrecked on a tropical island inhabited by turtles, crabs and birds, is an immersive journey into the subtlety and wonder of nature’s life, light, and colors, while at the same time touching on the milestones of the human experience. Nominated for an Academy Awards for Best Animated Film. The screening will be in collaboration with The Children Museum of the East End.

“The Iron Giant” July 30 and 31

Dir. Brad Bird

USA, 1999; 90 mins, in English

Rated PG

In this animated adaptation of Ted Hughes's Cold War fable — a story the poet wrote for his own children — a giant alien robot (Vin Diesel) crash-lands near the small town of Rockwell, Maine, in 1957. Exploring the area, a local 9-year-old boy, Hogarth, discovers the robot and soon forms an unlikely friendship with him. When a paranoid government agent, Kent Mansley, becomes determined to destroy the robot, Hogarth and beatnik Dean McCoppin (Harry Connick Jr.) must do what they can to save the misunderstood mechanical creature. After being turned into a concept album by musician Peter Townshend, “The Iron Giant” became the first feature of animator Brad Bird (“Ratatouille,” “The Incredibles”), who was captivated by the mythological qualities of the tale.

Coming up in August:

The Little Fugitive

Dir. Morris Engel

USA, 1953; 80 mins, in English

When a 7-year-old boy (Richie Andrusco) is tricked into believing he killed his older brother, he gathers his meager possessions and flees to New York’s nether wonderland: Coney Island. Upon and beneath the crowded boardwalk, Joey experiences a day and night filled with adventures and mysteries, resulting in a film that is refreshingly spontaneous and thoroughly delightful.

A Town Called Panic

Dir. Stéphane Aubier and Vincent Patar

Belgium, 2009; 75 mins, in French with English subtitles

Rated TV-PG

“A Town Called Panic” is an internationally produced stop-animation film following the misadventures of Indian and Cowboy as they attempt to celebrate Mr. Horse’s birthday. Their outlandish journey brings with it consistent entertainment for audiences of all ages. Screening in collaboration with The Children Museum of the East End.