My family, including my 75-year-old mom, love the Loft's Tucson International Children's Film Festival—now in its fourth year. We missed the opening weekend due to vacation, but plan to catch up this week.

The festival continues through Sunday, Aug. 1. Every day this week you can see a movie, 10 a.m., for free. We're also happy Mrs. Tiggy Winkle's Toy's staff is back hosting and bringing special prizes.

See you Sunday for The Neverending Story. They don't mention any special contests for this one, but there's a guy who works at an undisclosed Circle K I frequent who happens to look like the Luck Dragon. I'd love to bring him.

Oh, and here's a little thing I found on what happened to the Neverending Story kids and other cast members.

Remaining schedule:

Wednesday, July 28: THE INDIAN IN THE CUPBOARD (1995, 96 mins., rated PG), with free copies of the book for those in attendance (while supplies last)!

The classic young adult novel by Lynn Reid Banks comes to cinematic life in this thrilling adventure tale of a lonely boy who discovers a magical wooden cabinet that can bring his plastic toys to life, including a six-inch tall Iroquois warrior named Little Bear.

This screening is made possible by the generous support of Bookmans Entertainment Exchange and the Pima County Public Library!

Thursday, July 29: LOONEY TUNES CLASSIC CARTOON DAY! (1950s, approx. 80 mins., Not Rated/All ages)
Celebrate your favorite Warner Brothers characters with great vintage 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 Beanstalk Bunny, A-Lad-in-His Lamp, Dr. Jerkyl’s Hide, Duck Amuck and lots more ... 80 minutes worth, to be exact. Beep Beep!

Friday, July 30: THE THIEF OF BAGDAD (1940, 106 mins., Not Rated/All ages)
Often hailed as one of the greatest fantasy films of all time, this ripping adventure yarn, inspired by The Arabian Nights, tells the story of brave Prince Ahmad and his scrappy sidekick Abu, who must battle the evil Jaffar in order to win back Ahamd’s royal crown as well as the heart of a beautiful princess. Filled with flying horses, magic carpets and giant genies, this live-action Technicolor classic has entranced viewers of all ages for decades.

Saturday, July 31: WALLACE AND GROMIT AND THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT (2005, 85 mins., rated G)
Wacky scientist Wallace and his heroic dog Gromit race to save the day when their sleepy English village is menaced by a giant were-rabbit on the prowl for tasty vegetables … and the annual vegetable contest is only days away! A hilarious claymation classic, and winner of the 2006 ACADEMY AWARD for Best Animated Feature!

Sunday, Aug 1: THE NEVERENDING STORY (1984, 102 mins., rated G)
A boy visualizes his favorite fantasy novel, THE NEVERENDING STORY, detailing the adventures of a young warrior and his heroic journey to save the empire of Fantasia from an evil nemesis called The Nothing, in this magical ‘80s adventure film from director Wolfgang Peterson.