Skopje, 2 January 2025 (MIA) — The Cinematheque is offering a series of matinee screenings of family-friendly and kids movies this January, including the first Macedonian animated feature film, Goce Cvetanovski's "John Vardar vs The Galaxy" (2024).

According to the Cinematheque in a press release, the other movies to be shown will be Dougal Wilson's "Paddington in Peru" (2024), Gojko Berkuljan's "Planeta 7693" (2024), Caroline Attia, Ceylan Beyoğlu, Olesya Shchukina, Haruna Kishi, Camille Alméras, and Natalia Chernysheva's "Animal Tales of Christmas Magic" (2024), Thorbjørn Christoffersen and Anders Matthesen's "Checkered Ninja 2" (2021), Steve Majaury and Andrea Sebastiá's "SuperKlaus" (2024), and Pablo Berger's "Robot Dream" (2024).

The January film programming "aims to bring the youngest closer to the art of film and to awaken their interest in cinema as a special experience," organizers said.

"These screenings are not just entertainment," the release says. "They are also an opportunity to learn, develop their imagination and build their emotional intelligence.

"Today's children, growing up in the digital age, deserve to experience the magic of cinema, the place where the world of fantasy comes to life on the big screen."

According to the Cinematheque, encouraging kids' love of movies helps them understand the importance of art and storytelling.

The showings begin on Jan. 9. mr/