This year’s festival returns on April 26, 2025 with workshops, free films, special guests, and more! Tickets are on sale now.
We’re excited to announce the return of the highly anticipated 14th Annual Tumbleweeds Film Festival for Kids, taking place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Viridian Event Center in West Jordan.
Presented in partnership with Salt Lake County Library, the 2025 festival embraces the theme “Bringing Stories to Life”, featuring a globally diverse selection of films that captivate and inspire all ages and celebrate the magic of storytelling on screen. Every film in the lineup is adapted from beloved picture books, chapter books, or comics from around the world—many of which can be found at local libraries. Film screenings begin Saturday at 9:00 AM and continue throughout the day.
Beyond the big screen, this year’s festival offers eight engaging workshops for budding young creators. Kids can step into the world of filmmaking through hands-on sessions that are designed to spark creativity and give them an exciting behind-the-scenes look at movie-making magic. Offered for ages 8-17, these immersive workshops give young creators the chance to learn from filmmaking experts, inspire their storytelling skills, and level up their filmmaking techniques. Workshops are $25 a class and feature topics such as screenwriting, character design, special effects, podcasting, stop motion animation, and more.
This year’s festival is thrilled to welcome special guests, including youth actor Skyler Peters and the team behind PBS Utah’s This Is Utah TV series. Additionally, festival goers can enjoy free, interactive fun at the Tumbleweeds Festival Clubhouse, which opens at 9:00 AM and offers engaging lobby activities, crafts, and immersive experiences for the whole family. Local organizations and artists will bring the space to life, offering memorable moments for both the young and young at heart.
“Tumbleweeds Film Festival is all about igniting a love for storytelling in youth,” said Festival Director Julie Gale.“Whether they’re watching films, crafting their own stories in workshops, or engaging in hands-on play, it’s a day full of creativity and fun for the whole family. Our goal is to make learning an exciting and immersive experience.”
2025 SPECIAL GUESTS:
Audiences can learn from local, industry pros as our special guests pull back the curtain on their creative process. Special guests will share their insider knowledge and invaluable skills.
Ever wondered what it’s like to be a young actor? Now’s your chance to find out! Join youth actor Skyler Peters as he shares his experiences on set. Then participate in a live Q&A where you can ask Skyler your burning questions about acting in movies.
Bringing Stories to Life with the PBS Utah This is Utah Team
Join the all-female team for PBS Utah’s This is Utah TV series and learn how they discover unique stories around our state. In this engaging presentation and Q&A, audiences can expand their creative thinking about making and telling great stories, especially in our beautiful backyard of Utah.
2025 FILMS:
Tumbleweeds Film Festival for Kids has been a cornerstone of Utah Film Center’s commitment to contributing to a larger film ecosystem in the community, bringing international cinema and storytelling to young audiences. Its partnership with the Salt Lake County Library further affirms this dedication by making all festival films free to the public. While there is no cost to watch movies at the festival, reservations for films are highly encouraged as space is limited. Please visit tumbleweedskids.org/film-program to learn more.
Puffin Rock and the New Friends
Recommended for all ages
After the final Little Egg of the season disappears under strange circumstances, Oona and her friends race against time to try to save it before a big storm hits Puffin Rock and puts the island in danger.
Recommended for ages 10+
12-year-old girl Nina experiences the healing power of writing and the miracle of storytelling.
Black Bold & Brilliant Kids – The Quilt: A Living History of African American Music
Recommended for all ages
Aunt Cynthia guides her niece Lauren through the rich history of African American music, from slavery-era songs to Blues, Jazz, Soul, R&B, and more.
Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds
Recommended for ages 10+
Sisters Juliette and Carmen are pulled into a fairy tale book and transformed into cats! To return home, they must journey through the mystical Kingdom of the Winds with the help of the mysterious wizard Sirocco.
Recommended for ages 10+
Naughty twins are punished and sent to summer school run by an evil headmaster. They form the Marble Gang, guided by intelligence, bravery, and an unbreakable faith in friendship, they uncover a mysterious secret hidden deep within the school.
Tumbleweeds Shorts Celebration 2025
Recommended for ages 6+
This 55-minute program showcases diverse animated and live-action short films from around the world—including captivating stories from right here in Utah!
2025 WORKSHOPS:
These dynamic workshops are led by industry experts who are passionate about inspiring the next generation of creators. Designed for aspiring filmmakers, animators, or content creators, these sessions are tailored to create a safe learning environment for kids to be innovative and further develop their content-making skills. Workshops require early registration.
Camera and Lighting Movie Magic
Recommended for ages 12+
Join Utah Film Center as we teach you how to use your camera and lighting to make movie magic. This interactive workshop will give you tips and tricks to make your home movies tell amazing stories and look good as a movie in the theaters.
Character Design for Animation
Recommended for ages 8+
Join Space Station Animation for an interactive workshop on character design for animation. You will learn from professional animators how to make your characters for animated stories come to life and how to design your characters to enhance your storytelling.
How to Write Stories for the Movies
Recommended for ages 8+
Do you have a story you want to make into a movie? Join Utah Film Center as we teach you step-by-step how to take a story idea and transform it into a screenplay to make a movie. This funny, hands-on workshop will make you want to write stories where anything is possible in the movies.
Making a Mini Live-Action Movie
Recommended for ages 8+
Join Utah Film Center as we teach a three-step workshop explaining each of the broad steps that go into creating a feature-length movie, namely Pre-Production, Production, and Post-Production.
Recommended for ages 8+
In this hands-on workshop, UEN will introduce young filmmakers to the art of creating simple yet impressive special effects. From practical effects to basic digital tricks, participants will learn how to add that extra “wow” factor to their films.
Recommended for ages 8+
Join Utah Education Network for an exciting workshop where you’ll discover the magic of quick podcasting tools! In this interactive session, young creators will be guided through the essentials of podcasting, from recording and editing to publishing their very own episodes.
Special Effects Makeup for Beginners
Recommended for ages 10+
Some of our favorite movie stories feature spooky creatures, monsters, and even zombies! This hands-on workshop will teach kids how to make zombie, monster, and creature makeup using simple items around the house.
Stop Motion Animation with Spy Hop
Recommended for ages 8+
Join Spy Hop and dive into the basics of stop-motion filmmaking in this hands-on workshop! Learn about story structure and storyboarding and bring your vision to life by filming with LEGO bricks.
ABOUT TUMBLEWEEDS FILM FESTIVAL FOR KIDS
Tumbleweeds Film Festival for Kids is a festival experience with films, workshops, and activities for kids of all ages. Tumbleweeds programs highlight stories and young protagonists from around the world that both entertain and illuminate the world around us.
The festival also offers field trips for Utah students in grades 1-12. Teachers can opt to attend online or in-person events depending on their geographic location and schedule. All field trips include a Utah state standards-aligned study guide and opportunities for pre- and post-event activities. Over its 14 years, the festival and its field trips have reached nearly 33,000 Utahns. For more information, visit tumbleweedskids.org.
Tumbleweeds Film Festival for Kids is a program of the nonprofit Utah Film Center. The Film Center is publicly funded by Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts and Parks Program, Salt Lake City Arts Council, Utah Division of Arts and Museums.The Festival is made possible due to our lead sponsors and partners: Utah State Board of Education, Professional Outreach Program in the Schools (POPS), Utah Education Network (UEN), Salt Lake County Library, George S. & Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, and S. J. and Jessie E. Quinney Foundation.
