Watch Kids' Reviews of
MR. MCBOB

I recommend Pierre Schantz's short film Mr. McBob for the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival. It's a simple Lego stop motion animation film based on an event that happened in Pierre's life. In the film, Pierre is having bad days in school until his teacher brings an animation video for the class to watch. This gets Pierre interested in animation and he wants to make one for the class. Pierre's film uses many items from home like a toy clock, pictures, an of course Legos. The animation of the Legos are only one item he uses. I wanted to see more movement from the students sitting at their desks but, this is a very short film, so that might not have been possible. I think Pierre is to be commended for his work with this type of animation. I gave Mr. McBob 4 out of 5 stars. This is a basic Lego stop animation film that would be great for ages 4 to 8. They would enjoy an animation that is different from the ones they would see on TV or the movies.

This is an impressive film by a student filmmaker. It's well constructed in terms of its storyline, has good visuals, good audio quality and keeps your attention. It's a perfect film for festival play and encourages kids to create their own short films.

For years, school had been anything but exciting for 9-year-old Pierre. It was always the same boring routine. Until one day, his fourth grade teacher took a break from the traditional schoolwork. Mr. McBob showed the class something different, something creative, something, "Outside the box," which sparked Pierre's interest and ultimately changed his life. Based on a true story, 12 year old student director Pierre Schantz reveals how he was first inspired by his 4th grade teacher to begin making films.

"Mr. McBob" premiered and won 1st place at the Irvine International Film Festival on January 11, 2014. Also, won 1st place at the Oceanside Int'l Film Festival, the Audience Choice award at We Like 'Em Short Film Festival and a Youth 17 & Younger award at The Indie Fest. "Mr. McBob" screened at the FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival™ (RIIFF) 2014, the World Arts Film Festival, the Blue Plum Animation Film Festival, The Orlando Film Festival and the Outside The Box Bakersfield Film Festival. In addition "Mr. McBob" won 1st place in the National PTA Reflections Art Program 2014 at the district and county level, and qualified for California's State Competition. In 2015 "Mr. McBob" was the winner of the Sir Edmund Hillary award at the Mountain Film Festival and will screen again at the Albany Film Fest 2015 and Phoenix Comicon Film Festival 2015.