Thanks to DVDs and the Internet, many kids today think movies are only to be watched on small screen while sitting comfortably at home. But there is great pleasure in seeing a film on a big screen, surrounded by other people in a real theatre. And thanks to the 15th edition of the Montreal International Children's Film Festival, families can enjoy a panoply of films, some geared to kids as young as age 2, from March 3 to 11, 2012 at the Cinema Beaubien in the eastern part of Montreal. The festival kicks off with Les Contes de la Nuit, an animated film that follows the imagined worlds of three different characters. Festival goers will also have the chance to see the Oscar-nominated “Une Vie de Chat,” the story of a Parisian cat who must save a little girl from a kidnapper. Or families can dress warmly and attend an outdoor screening of the movie Le Vilain Petit Canard (The Ugly Duckling) at Molson Park, across from the theatre on March 8 at 5: 30 p.m.

During the festival, more than 15 films will be presented each day. Many films are in French and those that aren't will have a narrator providing real-time French translations during the screening. As well,  filmmakers and other people in involved in a particular movie will give short presentations after some of the screenings. For a complete list of events, check out the festival's website, www.fifem.com. Don't miss the different categories such as animated short films and the “second look'” films, which includes a free screening of Monsieur Lazhar, recently nominated for an Oscar.

Tickets for most movies are $8 but you can purchase a pass for $70, giving you access to 10 films. Tickets can be purchased at the Beaubien theatre or online at https://www.cinemabeaubien.com/Logon.aspx. The Cinema Beaubien is located at 2396 Beaubien St., E., near the Beaubien metro station.

For more information, visit www.fifem.com, call (514) 967-8893 or email info@fifem.com.