The 90th Newbery Film Festival: Promoting Young Filmmakers' Passion for Literature

Explore the magic of literature through imaginative short films at the 90th Newbery Film Festival, inspiring young filmmakers and celebrating award-winning children's books.

on Mar 06, 2024

The 90th Newbery Film Festival: Promoting Young Filmmakers' Passion for Literature | Frontlist

The 90th Newbery Film Festival brings together young filmmakers and book enthusiasts to translate award-winning literature into imaginative short films.

The 13th annual 90-Second Newbery Film Festival brings together aspiring filmmakers and book enthusiasts. This one-of-a-kind event asks children to adapt award-winning children's books into short films. Founded by novelist James Kennedy and librarian Betsy Bird, the festival seeks to commemorate and reimagine the rich tradition of John Newbery Medal-winning books through the imaginative eyes of its youngest fans.
From frustration to creation.

James Kennedy's inspiration for the event stemmed from his personal experience with literary honours. His debut work, while acclaimed, did not secure the Newbery, prompting a satirical critique of the award process on his blog.

This criticism turned into a creative challenge, inspiring young readers and filmmakers to reduce Newbery-winning stories into 90-second films. Since then, the festival has featured a plethora of unique adaptations, including genres and subjects that are diametrically opposed to the original texts, showcasing its participants' enormous imaginative capacity.

Empowering young voices.

The 90-Second Newbery Film Festival encourages literacy and filmmaking abilities through seminars and live shows, while also providing a forum for young filmmakers to have their work recognised. Educators and parents have praised the festival's good impact on children' engagement with literature and comprehension of narrative aspects. The festival has become a channel for creative expression, allowing students to explore and reinterpret literature in ways that resonate with their personal experiences and interests.

Looking ahead.

As the festival expands, Kennedy sees a greater reach, both domestically and abroad. The festival's success highlights the timeless allure of storytelling and the need of offering creative outlets for young people. The festival encourages participants to delve deeply into the concepts and storylines of Newbery-winning books, fostering a love of literature, a sense of community among young creators, and a greater respect for the art of storytelling.

The 90-Second Newbery Film Festival, with ambitions to expand its footprint and continue encouraging young filmmakers and readers, exemplifies the power of reading to generate imagination, creativity, and cross-generational connection.