Internationally acclaimed ventriloquist Nina Conti takes the bereaved puppets of her mentor Ken Campbell on a pilgrimage to Venthaven, the resting place for puppets of dead ventriloquists. She gets to know her latex and wooden traveling partners along the way, and with them deconstructs herself in this ventriloquial documentary requiem.

** Preceded by Emiliana Torrini's music video Heartstopper, directed by David Lea

With Noah Hathaway, Barret Oliver

Bullied in his ordinary life, young Bastian hides away in a book shop, where he is drawn into the mythical world of Fantasia while reading a book called The NeverEnding Story. Fantasia is in peril, though, as the Nothing threatens to destroy it, and its only hope is Bastian's imagination. Filled with awesome puppets, creatures of all shapes and sizes, music by the legendary Giorgio Moroder, and special effects the likes of which are not seen today on the big screen.  8+

With Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum

Directed by Neil Berkeley

This funny, irreverent, and inspiring documentary is a portrait of the artist Wayne White, one of the creators of the beloved children's television show Pee-wee's Playhouse, whose design style and quirky sensibility have led him on a fascinating career path from puppets to props to the world of fine art.

* Q&A with Wayne White

** Preceded by Robot Adventure's on Planet Earth, directed by Curtis L. Wiebe

With Mel Gibson, Foster

Once a successful toy executive and family man, Walter Black (Gibson) finds himself deep in depression when a beaver hand puppet enters his life and helps him rediscover himself. Jodie Foster directs and co-stars in this touching drama.

* Special Video Introduction by Jodie Foster, 
** Preceded by the WORLD PREMIERE of Cicada Princess, directed by Mauricio Baiocchi

Follow Dante on a travelogue through the underworld in this dark comedy adapted from the 2004 graphic novel of the same name. A full-length work created entirely in the style of toy theater, Dante's Inferno combines paper puppets and beautiful illustrations. Puppet Theater, comic book, and indie film fans be advised, the artistry is gorgeous. Featuring Paul Zaloom as lead puppeteer, and a voice cast that includes actors from Upright Citizens Brigade, 30 Rock, Arrested Development, and Aqua Teen Hunger Force.
** Preceded by Happy Time Murders - Teaser, directed by Brian Henson, Henson Alternative   

The Muppets are in the Big Apple hoping to make their dreams on Broadway come true. Join Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie and all the usual (and no-so-usual) suspects. If they can make it here, they can make it anywhere! Come see old friends on the big screen, with appearances by Art Carney, Joan Rivers, Liza Minnelli, Brooke Shields, and more.  3+

Mother Goose has taken the day off and Father Goose must do all her chores, including storytelling! Try as he might, Father Goose just can't get the stories right. Father Goose's Tales is a funny modern retelling of nursery rhymes, stories, and children's songs using the art of shadow puppetry. Jim "Nappy" Napolitano is an internationally recognized puppeteer who has performed for the PBS show Between the Lions, Disney's The Book of Pooh, and Nickelodeon in A Show of Hands.

John Kennedy 

Be inspired to make your own puppets by a screening of puppeteer/filmmaker John Kennedy's short puppet film The Sure Sheep, which follows a little sheep named Tad who overcomes his fear of playing his banjo in front of others to save his farm. Participants make their own puppets and then perform with their creations in front of the camera. John Kennedy has worked as a puppeteer in film and television for more than 17 years. Some of his many credits include Sesame Street, Dinosaurs, Telling Stories with Tomie DePaola, Muppets Tonight, The Country Bears, and more.