Bring the kids along to the Barbican for some of the best in children’s animation at the London Animate the World film festival.

Why you should go
The Animate the World festival is aimed primarily at the wee ones, so those expecting gory anime will be out of luck. For small children who think that Dora the Explorer is the height of sophistication, however, the featured films will not disappoint. The films are from all around the world, including new cartoons from France, Italy, Germany, the USA, Japan and Britain. Some films are subtitled, so reading skills, or a very patient parent who won’t mind being shushed, are a must.

Don’t miss
Must see films at Animate the World include a screening of the Oscar winning Disney Pixar film Up 3D; the magical French film Eleanor's Secret, which is being shown at the opening gala breakfast party; and Spirit of the Forest, featuring the voices of Angelica Huston and Ron Perlman. As well as plenty of UK premieres, there's also the chance to catch films that might have passed you by the first time round. Adult animation fans might want to check out The Adventures of Baron Munchausen and Summer Wars, two films that have attained cult status since they were first released.

Workshops
Many of the Animate the World films are accompanied by workshops, where kids can get busy exploring behind the scenes aspects of the films, so act like a big kid again and help them out. Techniques that will be demonstrated include claymation, special effects animation and character creation, and there's also the Film Garden where families can relax and watch specially selected short films. Expect plenty of creations for the fridge, shelves and maybe even the DVD cabinet.

Japanimation
Also on the bill for teens and adult film fans are a series of anime and manga films, such as Dante's Inferno. Japanese film expert Jasper Sharp will also be giving a fascinating insight into the genre at his Origins of Anime talks.

Karel Zeman
As a special treeat for alternative animation fans, the 2010 festival at the Barbican is hosting special screenings of The Invention of Destruction, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen and other classic animated films by Czech artist Karel Zeman. One of the Czech Republic's most celebrated animators, Zeman was a pioneering artist whose use of 2D animation, stop motion and live action in his films has an enduring legacy in the work of modern film makers. If you want to see two of his most popular films on the big screen, head to the Barbican on on Sunday 23rd May.

Animate the World takes place at the Barbican on from Saturday 22nd May – Thursday 27th May 2010. Nearest tube: Barbican. For more information and to book tickets, click on the link below.

Barbican Official Site

More events in London