For everyone who is a kid at heart, the East Lansing Children's Film Festival is a dream come true. Scheduled for this weekend and showcasing an array of features and shorts geared toward children, the festival is an offshoot of the East Lansing Film Festival.

"Usually we have a lot of families come out. Kids, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends and babysitters," festival Director Jerri Puemer said.

"There is just such a great response, and people are sad that it's only once a year. They want to see more films like this."

Puemer said the Children's Film Festival, now in its sixth year, has gained a great deal of popularity. Nearly 1,400 people visited last year's festival.

The children's festival is a bit of a rarity. Although film festivals are held year-round, many do not specifically target children.

"There are a number of film festivals like Sundance that are for adults. There aren't a lot for children," volunteer Kevin Green said. "One of the most important elements is that it offers sheer entertainment.

"This attracts student films from across the nation. It competes with children's festivals across the country."

Another aspect of the festival which sets it apart from others is the diversity of its submissions.

"The festival is international. We have 15 countries represented," Puerner said. "What makes the festival unique is that we mix mass-produced films with independents.

"We have nine Wallace and Gromit films as well as youth-produced films. We don't make a difference between mass-produced films and independent and hobbyist films."

Many of the festival's entries are produced by the children the festival aims to draw. Films made by children from kindergarten through 12th grade are welcome to compete for awards.

"You're blown away by what some of the students submit. Some are just funny and cute. Some are awe-inspiring," Green said.

In an effort to educate children in the ways of film, the festival will feature workshops in flip-book animation and green-screen special effects, an activity that will place participants in a scene from "Star Wars."

"We show the kids that animation is something that they can do themselves through the workshops," festival programmer Christine Nichols said. "There is a feeling of community and family. We offer high-quality films that appeal to children and their families alike. It's an alternative to your standard cartoon."

Along with the educational value of the festival, Green pointed out the overall entertainment-based nature of the event.

"This is not just for children," he said, "Why do adults pay full fare for Disney movies? This is an extension of that."