Young film fans will be doing the Showcomotion again this summer as the children's film festival returns to the Showroom Cinema in Sheffield in July.
 | | Still from Russian cartoon film Alosha. |
The programme this year includes some well-known names, mixed in with films for young people from around the world. Familiar favourites The opening night gala on 30th June features the animated zoo caper Madagascar, with animal voices from Ben Stiller, Chris Rock and David Schwimmer. Sacha Baron Cohen, otherwise known as Ali G, will be playing a lemur. Sticking with the animal theme,听 tots' favourite penguin Pingu will be cropping up in Stinky Pingu, one of the shorts in TV Treats (2nd and 4th July) . Other familiar faces include Angelina Ballerina, Fireman Sam and Bob The Builder. It could be a handy way to introduce little 'uns to the cinema experience. Other well known names on the bill include Danny Boyle's Millions: the Trainspotting director's first foray into children's films with a crime comedy. Eight to 13-year-olds could get one-up on their friends with a sneak preview of C大象传媒's new drama The Playground, due to air on the 大象传媒 children's channel this autumn but showing at the festival on 8th July. The programme's producers will be at the special screening to hear what Sheffield children and parents think of the series, which is based around a group of nine to 12-year-old friends who hang out at their local park. Joining in The chance to join in as well as watching the films, animations and shorts on offer is one of the main highlights of the festival. For younger kids, this means family fun weekends with the obligatory face-painting, arts and crafts. Parents of under-5s might be familiar with the names Naomi, Kemi and Beth. The presenters of Channel 5's Milkshake! will be saying hello to their fans in person on the 8th and 9th of July.
 | | Norwegian film Through My Thick Glasses |
For teenagers, the emphasis is on being a film-maker. Young people who attend the Vision Mix conference on 30th June will get the chance to make a film about skating, in one day and then screen it in the evening. There are also no less than 104 films made by young people with the help of schools and youth organisations on show. Films4Lives Festival organisers are announcing a new initiative this year - a young people's rights film festival in which 45 short films compete for UNICEF UK AWARDS. Films4Lives will run as a special section of Showcomotion (2nd and 3rd of July) and the audience will be voting for the best film. Local contenders include Rebecca's Difference, a film about a young cancer patient at Sheffield Children's Hospital and two short films made by the NSPCC Sheffield Young People's Centre. | 
