A magical weekend of films for the young

On Saturday’s program, film goers will get to go "Around the World" and enjoy some of the best live action and animated short films from the recently wrapped Children’s Film Festival Seattle, The festival is curated by Vashon resident Elizabeth Shepherd and was presented at Northwest Film Forum about a month ago. Shepherd generously puts together a special show for Vashon Film Society and the Vashon Theatre every spring that imports programming from the acclaimed Seattle festival to the island.

With offerings from film makers in Russia, Canada, France and beyond, audience members will be taken an international flight of fancy to see snowmen, marmots and a boy and his cat flying in a knitted red plane. One film depicts a boy whose cello practice transports him to a magical place while others show how a child’s imagination can solve problems big and small. Three films have subtitles, and the total running time of the shorts program is 61 minutes. "Around the World" plays at 1:30 PM on March 24.

Sunday’s screening showcases the charming silent film version of "A Little Princess" with live harp accompaniment by Vashon’s own Leslie McMichael. This 1917 movie was the very first film rendition of the beloved children’s novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett and is perfectly cast with America’s Sweetheart, Mary Pickford as heroine Sara Crewe. The Vashon Theatre will present "A Little Princess" with live harp score at 4 PM on March 25.

Harpist-composer McMichael debuted her original harp score for "A Little Princess" at last year’s Children’s Film Festival Seattle, and like her first silent film score for "Peter Pan," she has toured and played live accompaniment for the Pickford film since its 2011 premiere. In May, she will perform at the American Film Institute’s Silver Theatre near Washington, D.C. where both silent films will receive screenings with McMichael’s original harp composition played live.

Festival director Elizabeth Shepherd said, "Leslie’s score, filled with cleverly repeating themes and stunning interludes, breathed new life into this film from the dawn of cinema, and her energetic performance, alternating between Celtic, electric and concert harps, was also enchanting and brought audiences to their feet at the end of the screening."

For tickets to "Around the World" and "A Little Princess," call the Vashon Theatre at 463-6845, or drop by the box office.