Shorts are usually a mixed bunch, and the Family Shorts today at the Tacoma Film Festival were exactly that. They also got mixed reactions from the mostly-full audience – going by the noises, the films that engaged the kids weren’t always that cool for the grown-ups. Some are rescreening during the Animated Shorts at 4:15 p.m. tomorrow at School of the Arts. In a nutshell, here goes:

“Lost and Found”: This animated tale of a serious boy and a determined penguin, based on the book by Oliver Jeffers, thoroughly deserves its 2009 BAFTA award. Painted in gorgeous ‘50s-era hues with Jim Broadbent doing the solemn narration, this is a sweet dream-come-true of every little boy who loves the ocean.

“Sparks in the Night”: Shot by 13-year-old Ben Kadie from Bellevue and starring his teenage buddies, this clever noir detective spoof rakes in every cliché in the book for a fine three-minute laugh.

“Summer”: Set “Fantasia”-like to Vivaldi’s violin concerto of the same name, “Summer” matches a tragic firefly love-story to the dramatic music. Bring tissues.

“Kabamir”: This one’s weird. As a child’s imagination invades his home, bringing fairy-tale monsters to life, the special effects leave a lot to be desired.

“Small Potatoes”: Four cutesy vegetables sing a Teletubby version of the Beatles in homage to the power of imagination while saccharine graphics float by. ‘Nuff said.

“The Incredible Space Adventures of V-33”: Lonely claymation hero-robot creates companion with ironically tragic end. Rather dull.

“Magellan”: This exploration of puberty angst, bullying and individuality could have been much better in eight minutes rather than 18: Weak acting and too-obvious scenes need heavy editing.

“Ormie”: This jostled “Lost and Found” for my family’s Best-Of award: An adorable and determined animated pig tries every trick under the sun to achieve cookie nirvana, with a funky four-minute jazz score.

“Free Parking”: As three kids meet their mom’s challenge to play something other than video games, they come up with a magic Monopoly board. The triteness of the plot is lessened by the sparkiness of the three actors and clever twist at the end.

“For a Fistful of Snow”: Another claymation, featuring a Wild North standoff between two snow-slinging snowmen who fail to see the obvious. The Marlboro-Man music adds to the ham-and-cheese, but somehow it’s not all that thrilling.

“Lost and Found,” “The Incredible Space Adventures” and “Fistful of Snow” screen again at 4:15 p.m. tomorrow at SOTA. “Free Parking” screens again at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at UWT. The Tacoma Film Festival runs Oct. 7-14 at various downtown venues. Tickets: $8.50/$6.50 matinee. 253-572-6062, www.tacomafilmfestival.com