Saved events

Animal Friends Shorts Programme (U*) + Small World Cinema: Matchbox Habitats

Family Film Week

A squirrel pokes his head out of the tree

Get creative and make mini animal habitats with Small World Cinema before watching our specially chosen programme of three brand new animations with stories of animals and their unlikely friendships,
 

We're delighted to welcome Small World Cinema who will be hosting an craft workshop in the Cinema Café before the screening. Founder, Saskia van Roomen will help you to get creative and make mini animal habitats inspired by the films. 

And then come into the cinema to see a trio of new short films for the perfect chance to introduce international cinema to a young audience. With differing moods, artistic styles and tones these are tales full of the magic and power of friendship. 

Approx. total runtime with introduction: 60mins

 

Age recommendation: 5+ 
 

Please note: Two of the films in this programme are in French with subtitles. English subtitles will be read aloud by a voice over artist via headsets for children. Headsets can be collected on entry to the cinema if required.


Please note: This screening is for families to attend as a group. Adults (over 18s) can only enter auditorium if they are bringing a child. Children (under 18s) can only attend if accompanied by an adult. Babes in arms of 18months and under can be brought in on adults’ laps, but children over 18months need a seat purchased for them.

Ticket prices

* Excludes £1.50 booking fee

Booking fees

£1.50 booking fee per online/phone transaction.

No fee when tickets are booked in person.

Booking fees are per transaction and not per ticket. If your booking contains several events the highest booking fee will apply. The booking fee may be reduced on certain events. Members do not pay booking fees.

Full Programme

10:30am Small World Cinema Presents Matchbox Habitats
 

11:30 Animal Friends Shorts Programme
 

Capybaras

A family of Capybaras hiding from local hunters, find unexpected refuge in a nearby chicken coop. Based on his award-winning picture book, director Alfredo Sodeguit, has created a striking story of how accepting others enriches us all. 


Dir Alfredo Sodeguit, France/Chile 10min No dialogue
 

Head in the Clouds 

Painterly visuals tell the story of Alphonse, a plucky squirrel, who loves to photograph clouds but sometimes the animals around him don’t understand his hobby. Hand drawn animation at its very finest. 

Dir. Rémi Durin France 2024 11min French with English subtitles. 
Subtitles read aloud by voice over artist via headsets for children if required.

The Drifting Guitar 
 

A travelling weasel who sells neckties is constantly wandering from place to place, but when she ventures into the forest and meets a friendly hedgehog, they discover a lost guitar and their destinies changes forever. This intricately realized stop-motion animation is a stunning fable of friendship that won a Cristal award at Annecy Film Festival.

Dir Sophie Roze France, Switzerland 2025 30min French with English subtitles
Subtitles read aloud by voice over artist via headsets for children if required.

 

Useful info

The film screening will allow movement/noise from young film fans, but please be mindful of other audience’s experience (and please switch off phones!)

If your little one needs a break from the screening, please note we do have a selection of books, games and toys in the cinema foyer for you to use. 

The Family Film Week programme aims to screen films from a range of countries, styles and times, introducing a young audience to historical/archive content as well as the latest new releases.

Keep in the loop

Find out about upcoming family events with our weekly newsletter
 

Cinemas

Location
Barbican Cinema 1 is located within the main Barbican building on Level -2. Head to Level G and walk towards the Lakeside Terrace where you’ll find stairs and lifts to take you down to the venue floor.   

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.