Join us for VIFF Kids Club – our monthly family matinee series with film-inspired crafts and special concession snacks before the show! Doors open at 11:00 am for activities, with the film screening at 12:00 pm.
This Month’s Film
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is a heartwarming, funny, and imaginative film for all ages. It follows Marcel, a tiny shell with a big heart, who lives with his grandmother Connie in a big house once full of family. When a documentary filmmaker discovers Marcel, they team up to search for his long-lost relatives. Blending stop-motion charm with touching storytelling, it’s a gentle tale about hope, family, loss, and finding connection and friendship in unexpected places.
This Month’s Activities
Before the film gets started, kids will have the opportunity to create Marcel-themed crafts, inspired by the film.
Please note: VIFF Kids Club is designed for families to attend together. Adults can only attend if they’re bringing a child, and children can only attend if accompanied by an adult
Does your family have a film idea for Kids Club? Let our staff know after the movie, or submit your idea online!
What you’ll scope out in this small marvel of a mockumentary is how Marcel copes with loss of family, loneliness and sudden media fame, and how he relates, on 60 Minutes, to Lesley Stahl. I can’t wait to see it and him again.
Joe Morgenstern, Washington Post
Pack a hankie. But don’t miss this strange, special little film.
Peter Debruge, Variety
The cinematic equivalent of a hug.
Monica Castillo, The Wrap
Dean Fleischer-Camp
Jenny Slate, Dean Fleischer Camp, Isabella Rossellini, Joe Gabler, Shari Finkelstein, Samuel Painter, Blake Hottle
USA
2021
English
Open to youth!
$10 youth tickets available
Book Tickets
Indigenous & Community Access
Indigenous Access Tickets Community Access Tickets Ticket Donation Requests
Credits
Executive Producer
Philipp Engelhorn, William Byerley, Nion NcEvoy, George Rush, Michael Raisler
Producer
Elisabeth Holm, Andrew Goldman, Caroline Kaplan, Paul Mezey, Dean Fleischer Camp, Jenny Slate, Terry Leonard
Screenwriter
Dean Fleischer Camp, Jenny Slate, Nick Paley
Cinematography
Bianca Cline
Animation
Kirsten Lepore
Editor
Dean Fleischer Camp, Nick Paley
Original Music
Disasterpeace
Also Playing
All That's Left of You
Jordan's submission for the Academy Awards, All That's Left of You makes the most of its epic format to chronicle seven decades of Palestinian history while tracking the psychological impact of cycles of exile and oppression on three generations.
Spring After Spring
Three daughters strive to live up to the standards set by their mother Marie Mimi Ho, and keep Vancouver Chinatown's Spring Parade going through thick and thin, in this enormously affectionate local documentary by Jon Chiang.
Song Sung Blue
Lightning and Thunder (Hugh Jackman and Oscar nominee Kate Hudson), are Milwaukee husband and wife Neil Diamond tribute act who experience soaring success and devastating heartbreak in their musical journey together. Based on a true story.
Mr. Nobody Against Putin
Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary, and Special Jury Prize Winner, Sundance, 2025, this exposé shot by a Russian primary teacher shows how the Putin propaganda machine works to militarize children.