Press room

Family Film Week

24 October– 01 November 26

Barbican Cinema

• A Shuffle of Shorts (U*) + Pre-film Dragon Wings and Things Crafting – Sat 24 Oct
• Howl’s Moving Castle (U) - Sun 25 Oct 
• Arco (PG) + Pre-film ‘Build Your Own Future’ activity with RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) - Tue 27 Oct
• Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (12A) + Quiz – Tue 27 Oct
• Matilda (PG) - 30th Anniversary + bookmark-making in the foyer – Wed 28 Oct
• Preview: Papaya (U*) + Pre-film collaging activity with Small World Cinema – Thurs 29 Oct
• Maya Give Me a Title (U) - Fri 30 Oct 
• Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster (PG) + Intro from curators Alex Davidson and Susie Evans – Fri 30 Oct
• Relaxed Screening: Minions and Monsters (U) + Pre-film drawing demo – Sat 31 Oct
• Singin’ in the Rain (U) + Intro from curator Susie Evans – Sat 31 Oct 

The Barbican’s annual celebration of cinematic discovery for young people is back for another year – designed to welcome family audiences to our venue for an extra special big screen experience at half term. As well as newer animated films from all over the world, the season introduces family classics that have continued to make audiences think, giggle and gasp for decades. Catering for a range of ages, the screenings are complemented by drawing demos, organised making activities, self-led crafting and even a quiz to keep the excitement bubbling, while spending time at the Barbican. Family Film Week builds on the Barbican’s commitment to engaging young audiences with Cinema, as does our other cinema strands Preschool Pics, Family Film Club and Parent and Baby screenings. 

A quote from Susie Evans, the curator for Family and Children Cinema at the Barbican: 

"I'm so delighted that the Barbican's Family Film Week is back for another October half term - every year we have a blast watching movies on the big screen, crafting, quizzing and creating! Audiences will be able to catch up on titles they may have missed earlier in the year, as well as trying out international gems not seen before in our venue - look out for films from Brazil, France, Japan, Germany and more - as well as a few archive classics to introduce some cinema history to the proceedings! It's going to be an eclectic mix of events designed to spark joy and discovery - perfect for keeping young ones (and grown-ups!) happy during the school holidays."  

To kick-off the week on Saturday 24 October, A Shuffle of Shorts! + Pre-film Dragon Wings and Things Crafting introduces young audiences to our favourite short films from around the world with a range of styles and stories. With papercut, drawn and painted animation as well as stop motion, families can embrace tales of bats, dragons, mice, squirrels and more that isn't on offer anywhere else. And before the film, the audience members have a chance to get involved in making a pair of dragon-wings (and other things!) during our pre-film craft activity, themed around the short Once Upon a Time in Dragonville (France 2024).

On Sunday 25 October, Family Film Week is excited to introduce the Studio Ghibli masterpiece Howl's Moving Castle (Japan 2004) to a new audience of young film fans. After finding herself changed from a young girl to an elderly lady, Sophie runs away from her home and ends up taking a job cleaning mystical wizard Howl's moving castle. As they begin to become friends, Howl and Sophie soon see their strength and friendship tested as Howl's enemies threaten to destroy him. Unseen on cinema screens for several years, Family Film Week is delighted to present this complex and painterly animation, packed with Ghibli's trademark intricate beauty and excitement, adapted from the Dianna Wynne Jones’ magical novel.

Further on into the half term, on Tuesday 27 October, Family Film Week is welcoming back the fantastic team from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) – Lil Adams and Edie Parfitt – to host a pre-film creative paper crafting activity: ‘Building Your Own Future’ before the wonderful sci-fi animation Arco (France 2025). In the year 2932, a family of time-travellers live in peaceful treetop houses. But when the youngest member of the family, 10-year-old Arco, steals away to explore alone, he ends up stranded in 2075. This adventurous animation is a breath of fresh air and presents young audiences a hopeful vision of the future. Nominated for multiple awards, it's unmissable on the big screen. 

Later that day, the most recent story from the Star Wars universe is presented in the way it is meant to be seen – on the big screen! In Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (US 2026), the pair are off on their adventures, taking names and hunting down baddies for the New Republic. But, when an operation goes awry, the dynamic duo is drawn into the crosshairs of both new and familiar foes in what is a thumping cinematic treat. And to start off the proceedings we’ll be offering the audience the chance to take part in and on-stage quiz ahead of the film, designed to separate the Mega Fans from the Moof Milkers and the Know-it-Alls from the Nerf Herders!

As the week continues, a classic family favourite returns to our screens with the 30th anniversary release of Danny DeVito's Matilda (US 1996) on Wednesday 28 October. A warm-hearted gem, this adaptation invites Roald Dahl lovers to embark on the wonderfully mischievous adventure of a young girl with magical powers and a terrifying headteacher – the one and only Miss Trunchbull. And for all the bookworms in the audience, come along before or stick around after the film, to take part in the self-led bookmark activity, with materials, textiles and decorative paper provided by the Barbican team.

We are also delighted to welcome back the Small World Cinema team for a pre-film collage-making activity ahead of our preview screening of Papaya (Brazil 2025) on Thursday 29 October. A uniquely unusual non-verbal film packed with colour and energy, the story follows the journey of a papaya seed as it heads out into a changing world, facing different environmental challenges on the way. And on Friday 30 October, Michel Gondry's utterly charming DIY animation Maya Give Me a Title (France 2024), places his daughter Maya centre stage as he creates zany stories and surreal stop motion with paper cut outs and scotch tape. 

After the successful partnership last year, Family Film Week is buddying up with the Barbican's All Kaiju Attack! Season with Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster (Japan 1964), giving families a chance to witness a slice of historic monster mayhem and classic creature special effects with this archive gem, introduced by curators Alex Davidson and Susie Evans.

And on Halloween, Family Film Week will be embracing Hollywood (Holly-ween?) and screening two films that feature stories set within the sparkling world of starlets, glitz and glamour. Audiences are encouraged to come along in their favourite costume or their Hollywood finest! First up, at 11am is a Relaxed screening of Minions and Monsters (US 2026) – a hilarious origin story landing in 1920s Hollywood, featuring careening chases, Kaiju-mania and some fantastic cinematic cameos. On stage before the film, there will also be a drawing-demo with writer and illustrator Flavia Zorrilla Drago where audiences can have a go at creating their own monsters. During the screening, audiences will be able to continue drawing and doodling as the film plays in an environment tailored specially for a neurodiverse audience, as well as those who find a more informal setting beneficial. And with this Hollywood themed Halloween, Family Film Week closes Saturday with the ultimate 'film within a film', Singin' in the Rain (US 1952) – a perfect opportunity to introduce the next generation of cinemagoers to a stone-cold classic on the big screen.

Screenings and Events:

A Shuffle of Shorts! (U) + Pre-film Dragon Wings and Things 

Full shorts programme online (approx. runtime in cinema 65min)

Sat 24 Oct, 11am (Pre-film activity from 10am)

Cinema 2 

Come along for our opening Family Film Week screening and try out some fantastic animations from around the world – selected to introduce our young audience to a range of different styles and stories. And from 10am, why not swing by the Cinema Café to make a pair of dragon-wings or things with workshop leader Clara Petersen, using paper and textiles in our pre-film craft activity themed around the short film ‘Once Upon a Time in Dragonville.’

Full shorts programme online (approx. runtime in cinema 65min)

Howl's Moving Castle (U)

Japan 2004, Dir Hayao Miyazaki, 119min (Dubbed in English)

Sun 25 Oct, 1.15pm 

Cinema 2

Adapted from Dianna Wynne Jones’ magical novel, this Ghibli masterpiece, follows a young girl’s transformation into an old woman by the Witch of the Waste. After finding herself changed, Sophie runs away from her home and ends up taking a job cleaning the wizard Howl’s moving castle. Howl and Sophie begin to become friends, however, soon their strength and friendship are tested as Howl’s enemies threaten to destroy him.

Arco (PG) + Pre-film 'Build Your Own Future' activity with RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects).

France 2025, Dir Ugo Bienvenu, 88min. In English.

Tue 27 Oct, 11.30am (Pre-film activity from 10am)

Cinema 2

In the year 2932, a family of time-travellers live in peaceful treetop houses. But when the youngest member of the team – 10-year-old Arco – steals away to explore alone, he ends up stranded in 2075. There he meets Iris, a young girl supervised by robot technology, and the two must navigate their new friendship in a world where extreme weather events threaten everything around them.

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (12A) + Quiz 

US 2026, Dir Jon Favreau, 132min. (Event runtime approx.: 152min)

Tue 27 Oct, 2pm

Cinema 2 

Mando and Grogu are off on their adventures, taking names and hunting down baddies for the New Republic. But when an operation to find Commander Coin (formerly of the Galactic Empire) goes awry, the dynamic duo is drawn into the crosshairs of The Hutt cartel and must use every weapon in their arsenal to survive. With incredible world building, jaw dropping visual effects and an absolute banger of a score by Ludwig Göransson, this is a cinematic treat for Star Wars fans new and old! 

And before the film, we’ll be hosting an on stage quiz designed to separate the Mega Fans from the Moof Milkers and the Know-it-alls from the Nerf Herders!

Matilda (PG) - 30th Anniversary + Bookmarks in the foyer

US 1996, Dir Danny DeVito, 108min. 

Wed 28 Oct, 11.30am

Cinema 2

Matilda’s parents are only interested in themselves and her older brother, so from a young age she takes herself off to the library to read, discovering new worlds between the pages. But when Matilda is sent to school, it becomes clear that her abilities aren’t limited to just reading and she discovers magical powers that she can use to take on the bullies of the world – including the terrifying headteacher, Miss Trunchbull.

Before the film from 10.30am and after the screening has finished, families can get involved with a self-led creative activity: the café will be stocked with crafting materials, textiles and decorative paper – and lots of examples – to enable audiences to design and make their own film themed bookmarks to take away. 

Preview: Papaya (U) + Pre-film collaging activity with Small World Cinema 

Brazil 2025, Dir Priscilla Kellen, 74min (no dialogue)

Thu 29 Oct, 11.30am

Cinema 2 

One plucky papaya seed reaches the ground and refuses to put down roots, deciding instead to adventure onwards deeper into the rainforest. But soon the seed must navigate the challenges of not only the natural world, but also the encroachment of agricultural activity on the surrounding areas.

Courtesy of AX1 Films

Before the film, Small World Cinema will be in the café to support a free pre-film collaging activity for families from 10am. 

Maya Give Me a Title (U)

France 2024, Dir Michel Gondry, 61min. In French with English subtitles. Subtitles read aloud live via optional headsets for children. 

Fri 30 Oct, 11.30am

Cinema 2

Michel Gondry – director of The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (amongst others) – lived in a separate country to his young daughter, Maya, for many years, but to keep their connection strong, he would create animations and films for her based on prompts she gave him. The result was a hilarious journey featuring Maya as the star, using stop motion, paper cut outs and scotch tape – featuring cat bandits, earthquakes, police chases and more! 

Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster (PG) + Intro from curators Alex Davidson and Susie Evans

Japan 1964, Dir Ishirō Honda, 93min. In Japanese with English subtitles. Subtitles read aloud via optional headsets for children. 

Fri 30 Oct, 2pm 

Cinema 2

Godzilla meets his most iconic nemesis, King Ghidorah, for the first time in this action-packed kaiju extravaganza, with thunderous support from a wingless Mothra and Pteranodon-like Rodan. But will Godzilla, up until now, a malevolent force, fight as part of a team to save the world or will he leave the humans to their fate?

Relaxed Screening: Minions and Monsters (U) + Pre-film drawing demo with writer-illustrator Flavia Zorrilla Drago

US 2026, Dir Pierre Coffin, 90min. Captioned.

Sat 31 Oct, 11am

Cinema 2 

An ancient tribe of Minions moves from villain to villain searching for the perfect boss and after many years, end up in silent-era Hollywood where they are overnight sensations on the silver screen. However, with the advent of sound movies, the Minions can’t hold onto their stardom and are driven to desperate lengths to rediscover their onscreen magic. Travelling to a kaiju island to find the ultimate monster for their comeback movie, three of the film obsessed yellow pals accidentally unleash a beastly force like no other that threatens to destroy Hollywood and everything they hold dear.

On stage before the film, writer-illustrator Flavia Zorrilla Drago will lead a drawing demo on how to create your own monster. 

Relaxed Screenings: A relaxed event takes place in an environment that is specially tailored for a neurodiverse audience, as well as those who find a more informal setting beneficial. For more information on how the screening is relaxed, please visit the webpage here.

Singin' in the Rain (U) + Intro from curator Susie Evans 

US 1952, Dir Stanely Donen and Gene Kelly, 103min (+ intro 10-15min)

Sat 31 Oct, 1.45pm

Cinema 2

Gene Kelly stars as the conceited silent movie megastar, Don Lockwood, who gets taken down a peg or two when sound movies arrive and put him out of a job. But a chance meeting with Hollywood newcomer, Kathy Seldon (Debbie Reynolds), kick starts a new career trajectory and a new romance. Aided by their best friend, Cosmo (played with impossible athleticism by Donald O’Conner), Don and Kathy work behind the scenes to save their studio by reinventing the talkies for a new generation of cinema goers – all under the watchful eye of Lina Lamont, a wonderfully villainous starlet who’s out to get them.

*Locally classified. Assessing the suitability of any film is the responsibility of parent/guardian. Please see www.bbcfc.co.uk for more information on film ratings and content guidelines. We recommend that families research film titles thoroughly before committing to attend.

Useful Information: Family Film Week takes place in Cinema 2 in the Barbican’s cinema building on Beech Street and we aim to create as welcoming a space as possible to attend. Books, games, toys and activities are left out for families to use both before and after all screenings. There are five baby-change facilities within the building and five high-chairs available in the café on a first come, first served basis. We have a stash of nappies, nappy bags, wipes and spare children’s clothes in case of accidents away from home! All film screenings will be introduced live by a curator to welcome the audience to the venue.