Yipee! The Tucson International Children's Film Festival returns to the Loft for its third summer, from Saturday, July 25, through Sunday, Aug. 2, each day 10 a.m. And the best part about the fest, besides the fact that it is FREE (free popcorn, too), is the lineup. This is the best thing the Glassman Foundation sponsors (cause I still can't figure out the whole downtown family campaign thingy). Plus, the staff from Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle's are back, too, with give-aways and good cheer.

Before the schedule came out, I was hoping this film might make the cut and it did—Howl's Moving Castle. But there are a few others you might want to call in sick from work for and bring the kid if you must (and you should). It's Tucson during the summer—the time when cinema has the power to bring the whole family together cause it's too hot outside.

Here's the schedule:

Saturday, July 25: Sing-A-Long WIZARD OF OZ (1939), everyone's favorite movie from "over the rainbow," with Oz-themed goodie bags, audience participation and maybe even a few surprises for all those with courage, heart and brains (not to mention red ruby slippers)!

Sunday, July 26: HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE (2004), beloved Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki's classic tale of a young girl's adventures in a magician's mysterious moving castle!
**Dubbed in English.

Monday, July 27: EGON AND DONCI (2009), a brand new animated sci-fi comedy from Hungary, showcasing the hilarious misadventures of space traveler Egon and his trouble-prone cat,

Donci.
**This foreign feature contains very minimal dialogue (subtitled), with most of the story told through sound effects.

Tuesday, July 28: LOONEY TUNES ON THE BIG SCREEN!
Celebrate your favorite Warner Brothers characters with classic Looney Tunes cartoons screened from glorious 35 mm film prints! See Bugs, Daffy, Roadrunner, Porky and the whole gang up to their old tricks in such favorites as What's Opera Doc?, One Froggy Evening, Little Beau Pepe, Greedy for Tweety and lots more ... 80 minutes worth, to be exact. Beep Beep!

Wednesday, July 29: JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH (1996), the magical animated tale of an orphan boy and a giant peach, adapted from the classic children's book by Roald Dahl, and directed by Coraline director Henry Selick!
**The PIMA COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY will be handing out FREE copies of the book before the movie (while supplies last), and leading a short discussion on turning the book into a film after the movie!

Thursday, July 30: RACE FOR YOUR LIFE, CHARLIE BROWN (1977), the fun-filled Peanuts movie that sends Charlie, Lucy, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts crew to summer camp, where they face everything from mean bullies to rampaging rapids. "Good grief," will you have fun!

Friday, July 31: AZUR AND ASMAR (2008), the visually stunning animated French fairy tale about two young princes and their quest for the legendary Djinn-fairy. From Michel Ocelot, acclaimed director of Kirikou and the Sorceress!
**Dubbed in English.

Saturday, August 1: GULLIVER'S TRAVELS (1939), master animator Dave Fleisher's wonderfully colorful (and musical) version of Jonathan Swift's classic tale, chronicling Gulliver the Sailor's adventures among the little people of the island of Lilliput. BRAND NEW 35 MM FILM PRINT! Don't miss your chance to see this rare classic on the big screen!
PLUS! Vintage 1930's cartoon shorts (on 35 mm!) starring Popeye, Superman and Betty Boop before the feature!

Sunday, August 2: Sing-A-Long MARY POPPINS (1966), the Oscar-winning classic featuring the world's most "Supercalifragilistic" magical nanny and some of Disney's catchiest songs ever! With magical goodie bags for all and a whole lot of singing in the aisles, it's enough to make even a poor chimney sweep jump for joy!