Sprockets fest fit for a 'King'

Toronto event slates Verhoeff adaptation

By JENNIE PUNTER

'Spirit of the Forest'

TORONTO -- Sprockets, the Toronto Film Festival's annual offering of pics for toddlers to teens, announced its slate of 70 films on Tuesday, including the North American preem of medieval tale "The Letter to the King," helmer Pieter Verhoeff's adaptation of the bestselling Dutch youth novel.

Fest kicks off April 18 with "Spirit of the Forest," Spanish CGI studio Dygra Film's sequel to "The Living Forest," with Sean Astin, Giovanni Ribisi and Ron Perlman voicing critters in peril.

Opening weekend includes North American preem of Nicole van Kilsdonk's Dutch teen comedy "How to Survive Myself?" and the international preem of "Wild Chicks and Life," the third installment in German Vivian Naefe's award-winning film series.

Notable pics include C. Karim Chrobog's documentary "War Child," about Sudanese former child soldier-turned-hip-hop artist Emmanuel Jal; Yves-Christian Fournier's French-Canadian teen drama "Everything Is Fine"; and Sri Lankan helmer Somaratne Dissanayake's drama "King Siri."

Sprockets will screen 29 features and 41 shorts April 18-24 and present nine prizes.