The University of Hawai'i's free KIDS FIRST! Film Festival, presented by UH-Manoa Outreach College, will get under way Sunday with a family feature film, "Moondance Alexander."

This year, the festival partners with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawai'i to reach more local and visiting families. In addition to the six Sunday afternoon screenings at the UH Manoa campus art auditorium — this Sunday to July 20 (except July 6) — two of the films will have repeat showings at the Sheraton Waikiki satellite venue. "Moondance Alexander" will repeat at 7 p.m. June 29 the Sheraton Waikiki; "Alice Upside Down" (showing June 22 at UH-Manoa) will repeat at the Sheraton Waikiki at 7 p.m. July 6.

The KIDS FIRST! FIlm Festival, a project of the Coalition for Quality Children's Media, travels to more than 100 locations nationwide each year. In its ninth year, the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival offers sneak peeks at new films from major studios, classic films, independents and shorts in a variety of styles including animation and live action.

The films are evaluated by juries of adults and kids and must meet the KIDS FIRST! criteria of: no gratuitous violence, no racial or cultural bias, no inappropriate content, and no condescension towards children.

All of the films are free, with door prizes given at many of the screenings. For complete information, visit www.outreach.hawaii.edu/summer All screenings are at the UH-Manoa Art Auditorium. In addition, Moondance Alexander will have a repeat screening on June 29 at 7pm at the Sheraton Waikiki; Alice Upside Down will have a repeat screening at the Sheraton Waikiki on July 6 at 7pm.

"Moondance Alexander"

3 p.m. Sunday, UH-Manoa (also, 7 p.m. June 29 the Sheraton Waikiki)

For audience age 8 and older

94 minutes

Spunky 12-year old Moondance Alexander (Kay Panabaker, Nancy Drew) has a hard time making friends, but a chance meeting with a wild pinto changes her life. With the help of a down-and-out show rider (Don Johnson), Moondance discovers that sometimes fitting in is less important than moving on and riding it out. With figure skater, Sasha Cohen. Best Film, Newport Beach Film Festival.

"Knights of the South Bronx"

3 p.m. June 15, UH-Manoa

For audience age 9 and older, parental guidance

90 minutes

With Ted Danson. "A heartwarmer…uplifting." – The Hollywood Reporter. Based on true events, a middle-aged, inner-city schoolteacher discovers a way to reach out to his skeptical students through the game of chess. Against all odds, he inspires his students to become champions, not only at chess, but in life! Parents: a few scenes with violence and drugs.

"Alice Upside Down"

3 p.m. June 22, UH-Manoa (also, 7 p.m. July 6, Sheraton Waikiki)

Sneak Peek!

For audience ages 8-12

90 minutes

With young superstars Alyson Stoner (Cheaper by the Dozen) and Lucas Grabeel (High School Musical); Luke Perry and Penny Marshall. Best Comedy Feature, International Family Film Festival. Based on the books by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. Eleven-year-old Alice finds her life seriously disrupted when her widowed father moves the family to a new town. Having a rough time adjusting to her new life, Alice gets a little unexpected help and charges forward towards her future.

"Dooby Dooby Moo"

3 p.m. June 29, UH-Manoa

Critter Tails (shorts)

For audience ages 3-7

Total running time: 69 minutes

When Duck finds out about a talent show at the county fair, he and the animals on the farm start rehearsing to win! Narrated by Randy Travis, with a wild vocal performance by Jon Carroll. Based on the book by Doreen Cronin.

"The Ugly Duckling and Me: School Days"

Everyone knows the Hans Christian Anderson story about the ugly duckling that changed into a swan. Here's the story that happened in between, when a weird looking little duckling named Ugly was adopted by a city rat named Ratso.

"The Tails of Abbygail"

A live action film starring six dogs and two horses! One day while home alone, a cute and very curious little Jack Russell Terrier named Abbygail uncovers a fortune cookie that magically brings all her stuffed animals and toys to life. They embark on an adventure of fun, safety and new friendships.