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Amazing Animations + Music with Tara Franks (U*)

Preschool Pics

All in pink, a small bird with long wavy wings flies toward a branch, on which a pair of other small birds are sitting.

Get your groove on in our cinema with a fun music play session and a selection of short films, curated with our youngest audience members in mind!

We’re delighted to welcome back Tara Franks, the creative force behind Tots Tunes, cellist and musical director extraordinaire. She’ll take us through the paces of music she’s picked out from all over the world to get us dancing and shaking to the beat! 

Followed by a toddler-friendly mix of international short films, perfect for young audience members in the early stages of their big screen adventure. Full programme of film titles below.

Tagged with: Cinema Preschool Pics

Approx. event runtime: 55mins

Film Programme

Jasmine and Jambo – Music with Style
The delightful duo Jasmine and Jambo live in a surreal, music-themed land and in this story, they find a minor key and a major key can sound very different.  
Spain 2024 Dir Sílvia Cortés 7min

Animanimals: Ladybird
Two ladybirds live side by side, but one of them is grumpier than the other - can they ever be friends?
Germany 2022 Dir Julia Ocker 3min

The Adventures of Baby Bee’s Boot 
Set in a colourful garden, this sweet story follows what happens when Baby Bee loses a boot and must get help from all sorts of creatures to find it again. 
UK 2026 Dir David Burns 7min

 

First Flight
This charming animation, full of beautiful textures, sees a baby bird learning to use its wings. 
Germany 2025 Dir Adrian Jaffé 3min

The Little Bird and the Bees
A little bird is pursued by a sneaky – and hungry – fox, but finds help from some buzzy friends. 
Switzerland 2020 Dir Lena von Döhren 4min

Animanimusical
The zany animals of the Animanimal world come together for a sing-song, but there’s always one voice that seems to stand out from the rest.  
Germany 2024 Dir Julia Ocker 3min

Useful Information

Adults/Children: Designed for families/nursery groups to attend together, these events will be open to preschool-aged children from 12 months up to 4 years and their carers. Adults can only attend with accompanying children, and children with a grown-up. We suggest that there should be a minimum of 1 adult to every 4 children. 

Tickets: £2.50 Under 18s / £5.00 Over 18s. Tickets are needed for children over 18months and their adults. 

Seating:  Booster seats for children of 18 months and above are available on a first come, first served basis. Attendees of under 18 months may be seated on an adult’s lap for the duration of event. The auditorium has flip seats – so please always supervise children in seats and never leave them unattended. 

Screening environment: The lights in the screening will be lightly dimmed and the sound of the films will be reduced. Movement and noise from young film fans is expected in these screenings but we do respectfully request that accompanying grown-ups do not use mobile phones/devices in the auditorium and ensure children are always supervised – especially on the stairs. If your child needs a break from the screening at any time, you are free to move in and out of the auditorium and there are books and games in the foyer for you to use.   

Age recommendation: Films will all be rated a U by the BBFC or classified as a U* by the local authority - but assessing suitability of any film screening is always the responsibility of parent/guardian. Please see www.bbfc.co.uk for more information on film ratings and content guidelines. If you would like a more nuanced description of any film content in this programme, please email [email protected] at least 5 working days before the screening. 

Prams and buggies: We have limited space and are unable to accommodate prams and buggies in the auditorium at Preschool Pics screenings. Prams and buggies must be left outside the auditorium (at owners’ risk). 

Baby-changes / High chairs: There are 5 baby changes in our Cinema 2&3 building (3 in our accessible toilets and 1 each in our male/female toilets). There are up to 5 high-chairs available in our café which are available on a first come, first served basis.

Food and drink: You are welcome to bring packed lunches/snacks/drinks for your child to consume; however, if you are seated in the main café area, we ask that grown-ups please make a purchase.

Spares / Spills: If you delve into your bag and find you’re short on supplies, please let us know! We have a selection of spare baby wipes, nappies, nappy bags, bum cream and the odd spare outfit too in case of spills and leaks. 

Books / Activities:  There are a selection of books/activities/toys left out in the café before and after the screening. These are used at customers’ own risk and please always supervise young children. 

Parent and Baby Screenings: If your child is under 12months, we host our Parent and Baby Screenings on Monday and Saturday mornings.

Family Film Club: Aimed at 5+ cinemagoers and their families, our weekly Family Film Club takes place on Saturday mornings during term time to screen the best new releases, archive classics and international gems. 

Whilst you’re here: The Barbican Library on Level 2 is open Mon – Sat and hosts regular Rhyme Time sessions and Monster Art Clubs; please check their website for more detail. The Fortune Street Park is a 5-minute walk from Cinema 2&3 with an entrance on Whitecross Street and is a great place for a picnic and to burn off some energy off after a screening! 

Cinema 2

Location
Barbican Cinema 2 & 3 are located on Beech Street, a short walk from the Barbican’s Silk Street entrance. From Silk Street, you’ll see a zebra crossing that will take you across the road to the venue. 

Address
Beech 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.