newportFILM Screens ERNEST & CELESTINE and MAIDENTRIP Today

newportFILM will present 2014 Oscar Nominated Animated Feature Ernest & Celestine and Maidentrip today, February 18 at the Jane Pickens Theater at 49 Touro Street in Newport.

Ernest & Celestine is presented by Clare Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Newport and supported by Bright Ideas Preschool, RaNew Salon & Jane Pickens Theater.

Deep below snowy, cobblestone streets, tucked away in networks of winding subterranean tunnels, lives a civilization of hardworking mice, terrified of the bears who live above ground. Unlike her fellow mice, Celestine is an artist and a dreamer - and when she nearly ends up as breakfast for ursine troubadour Ernest, the two form an unlikely bond. But it isn't long before their friendship is put on trial by their respective bear-fearing and mice-eating communities. Fresh from standing ovations at Cannes and Toronto Ernest & Celestine joyfully leaps across genres and influences to capture the kinetic, limitless possibilities of animated storytelling. Like a gorgeous watercolor painting brought to life, a constantly shifting pastel color palette bursts and drips across the screen, while wonderful storytelling and brilliant comic timing draw up influences as varied as Buster Keaton, Bugs Bunny and the outlaw romanticism of Bonnie and Clyde. Bringing it all together is the on-screen chemistry between the two lead characters - a flowing, tender and playful rapport that will put a smile on your face and make your heart glow.

The event begins at 1:00pm with family entertainment. At 1:30pm, the film begins. From 2:00pm-6:00pm there will be a post-party at Orange Leaf. 10% of proceeds will benefit newportFILM youth.There will be frozen yogurt, raffles, and giveaways.

Tickets are $5 for children and $8 for adults. They can be purchased at www.newportFILM.com or at the door.
The Winter Festival button price is $3 for children and $5 for adults. They can be purchased at the door only.

Ernest & Celestine is recommended for ages 4+. It runs for 80 minutes and is rated PG.

Maidentrip is presented by Team One Newport & Gill North America.

Born on a boat and raised in shipyards, Laura Dekker grew up with one dream: to sail around the world alone. At thirteen, her daring plot sparked resistance from Dutch authorities and a global storm of media scrutiny. A year later, she won the right to set sail. Now, far from land, family, and unwanted attention, Laura spends her pivotal teenage years exploring the world alone in search of freedom, adventure, and lost childhood dreams. Jillian Schlesinger's debut feature amplifies Laura's brave, defiant voice through a mix of Laura's own video and voice recordings at sea and intimate vérité footage from locations including the Galapagos Islands, French Polynesia, Australia, and South Africa.

The event begins at 6:00pm with pre-film appetizers compliments of The Clarke Cooke House. At 7:00pm, the film screening begins. At 8:30pm, there will be a post-film Q&A with director Jillian Schlesinger.

Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at www.newportFILM.com or at the door. The Winter Festival button AND student price is $10 and can be purchased at the door only.

This is a family film and is recommended for ages 10+. There are occasional swears (like sailors do) and some subtitles.