Movies open the world. This holds a special truth for children. This month the fourth edition of El Meu Primer Festival (“My First Festival”) takes place in Barcelona. With some of the biggest delights in film and animation that the whole family can enjoy, this children’s film festival is a treat and a perfect daytime activity. Setting out to entertain, educate, stimulate creativity and wake up the critical spirit, the selection proves to do the job, ranging from stellar classics to Japanese animation to independent worldly wonders.

I was pleased to see that t21-featured Abuela Grillo, a lovely animated adaptation of an indigenous Bolivian legend from the Ayoreos and testament to the struggle for water rights in Bolivia and worldwide, is part of the A Window onto the World program. My First Festival offers an outlet for all of us to dive back to childhood and enjoy the simplicity of watching great films and animation on the big screen. There is definitely something for everyone to enjoy and let you be surprised.

November 19–27

elmeuprimerfestival.com