At the Shrine Auditorium Dec. 5-9 and the Los Angeles Theatre Dec. 14-15.

• Wednesday, Dec. 5
  9:30 a.m.: As part of its educational mission, the JVAFF will host Kids’ Day, an exclusive event dedicated to young people. More than 3,000 students will attend for free. An episode of “Captain Planet” will be followed by a question and answer period with NASA and JPL experts. Morning pass for all films and events for $9 (ages 6-14 free with valid school ID). In the Shrine Expo Hall.11 a.m.: A special NASA presentation will delve into the thrilling world of space exploration. Ages 20 and under free with valid school ID.
• Thursday, Dec. 6
  9:30 a.m.: A “Captain Planet” episode followed by a Q&A with NASA and JPL. Ages 6-14. Tickets $7 or free to students ages 20 and under with valid school ID.10:30 a.m.: The documentary The Realm of the Great White Bear will screen in the Shrine Expo Hall. Ages 15 years and up. Tickets $7 or free to students ages 20 and under with valid school ID.

  1 p.m.: The opening of the official documentary competition starts with Tea Road to the Skies. A journey across the roof of the world, winding more than 2,500 tortuous miles across 20 mountain chains and two desert plateaus. Shrine Expo Hall. Tickets $9.

  2:15 p.m.: The documentary Wings Over Antarctica. In early March 2007, three Spanish parachute jumpers flew over Antarctica in wingsuits – a feat that no one had achieved before. Tickets $9.

  3:30 p.m.: The documentary The Meadow looks at the flower meadow, an ocean of colours and fragile shapes that offers a home to countless species of animals. Shrine Expo Hall. Tickets $9.

  6 p.m.: Opening night gala hosted by actor Malcolm McDowell and presided over by astronaut Buzz Aldrin. The evening will begin with a green carpet arrival.

  7 p.m.: Show and tribute to Ted Turner, Jean-Michel Cousteau, Tony Curtis and Tippi Hedren. Movie premiere of Amazon Trek.

• Friday, Dec. 7
  9:30 a.m.: Episode of “Captain Planet” followed by a Q&A. Shrine Expo Hall. Ages 6-14. Tickets $7 or free to students with valid school ID.10:30 a.m.: Oil and Water tells the story of two kayakers who combined their passion for the water with their desire to educate people about sustainable energy. Shrine Expo Hall. For all audiences. Tickets $7 or free to students ages 20 and under with valid school ID.

  1 p.m.: Sharks at Risk screens in the Jules Verne movie lounge. Shrine Expo Hall. Tickets $9.

  2:15 p.m.: African Bambi, told from the omniscient point of view of a mother giraffe, is a story of a young Grant’s gazelle on the plains of Africa in the Tanzanian Serengeti. Shrine Expo Hall. Tickets $9.

  3:45 p.m.: Ocean Voyagers explores the familiar themes of motherhood and parenting in a world as unfamiliar as it is breathtaking. Narrated by Academy Award winner Meryl Streep. Shrine Expo Hall. Tickets $9.

  5 p.m.: Unsalted follows filmmaker and surfer Vince Deur on a road trip around the Great Lakes as he meets the daredevils who have surfed these waters for nearly 40 years. Shrine Expo Hall. Tickets $9.

  6:30 p.m.: Borneo’s Pygmy Elephants highlights one man’s mission to save this species from poachers; the film includes incredible footage revealing the most intimate secrets of elephant family life. Shrine Expo Hall. Tickets $9.

  5:30 p.m.: Four Wings and a Prayer takes a road trip along the flight path of the Monarch butterfly from Eastern Canada to Mexico. Narrated by Academy Award winner Kristin Scott Thomas. Documentary selection. Shrine Auditorium. Tickets $10.

  7:15 p.m.: The documentary In the Shadow of the Moon brings together for the first, and possibly the last, time the survising crew of every Apollo mission that flew to the moon. A presentation by Academy Award winner Ron Howard. Documentary selection. Shrine Auditorium. Tickets $10.

  7:30 p.m.: The documentary The Last Gorillas reveals Dr. Vedder’s groundbreaking work on the ecology of gorillas. Shrine Expo Hall. Tickets $9.

  9 p.m.: The documentary The 11th Hour looks at the last moment when change is possible. Hosted by Leonardo DiCaprio, the film explores how we impact the Earth’s ecosystems. Documentary selection. Shrine Auditorium. Tickets $10.

• Saturday, Dec. 8
  10 a.m.: The Journey of Fluke follows a recycled raft to raise awareness about synthetic debris and the importance of wetlands. Shrine Expo Hall. Tickets $7 or free to students ages 20 and under with valid school ID.10:45 a.m.: Laurie Maker, In Love With Cheetahs showcases a 30-year love affair with the world’s fastest land animal. Shrine Expo Hall. Tickets $7 or free to students ages 20 and under with valid school ID.

  11 a.m.: Premiere of the film The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep follows a lonely boy who discovers a mysterious egg that hatches a sea creature of Scottish legend. Shrine Auditorium. Tickets $10.

  1 p.m. The tribute to legendary film director John Ford kicks off with the documentary Becoming John Ford. Shrine Expo Hall. Tickets $9.

  2 p.m.: American premiere of the documentary Red and White, which journeys into the American Wild West from Buffalo Bill’s last gleaming hopes to the Native Americans’ resurrection. Shrine Auditorium. Tickets $10.

  3p.m.: The John Ford film My Darling Clementine, considered one of the greatest classic Westerns of all time. Shrine Expo Hall. Tickets $9.

  3:30 p.m.: The documentary The World of American Indian Dance demonstrates ancient as well as new struggles between intertribal cultures, progress, tradition, spirituality and commerce. Shrine Auditorium. Tickets $9.

  5 p.m.: The documentary Jane Goodall’s Return to Gombe travels with the celebrated primatologist as she spends a week with the chimps she’s known for 43 years. Shrine Expo Hall. Tickets $9.

  6:15 p.m.: The documentary The Little Buddhas and the Tigers ventures into the heart of the Thai jungle to witness how young Buddhist monks live side by side with orphan tigers. Shrine Expo Hall. Tickets $9.

• Sunday, Dec. 9
  10 a.m.: “Captain Planet” episode followed by a Q&A. Shrine Expo Hall. Tickets $7 or free to students ages 20 and under with valid school ID.11 a.m.: “An Inconvenient Truth” for kids. Slide show. Shrine Expo Hall. Tickets $7 or free to students ages 20 and under with valid school ID.

  12 p.m.: The classic film Journey to the Center of the Earth. Scheduled appearance by Pat Boone. Shrine Auditorium. Tickets $10.

  1 p.m.: An afternoon aboard the USS Enterprise NCC 1701 begins with the Star Trek HD episode “The Children Shall Lead.” Each episode will be introduced by a special guest. Shrine Expo Hall. Tickets $15.

  2 p.m.: Star Trek episode “Tomorrow is Yesterday.” Shrine Expo Hall. Tickets $15.

  3 p.m.: Star Trek episode “Space Seed.” Shrine Expo Hall. Tickets $15.

  4 p.m.: Star Trek episode “Operation Annihilate!” Shrine Expo Hall. Tickets $15.

  5p.m.: The Jules Verne Awards Ceremony honors the best exploration documentaries. Plus NASA’s 50th anniversary and a tribute to William Shatner. Shrine Auditorium. Tickets from $10.

  8:30 p.m.: The 25th anniversary screening of the dystopian masterpiece Blade Runner with former cast members. Shrine Expo Hall. Tickets from $10.

  Los Angeles Theatre
• Friday, Dec. 14
  7 p.m.: Alien Night reunites fans with two legendary creatures on the big screen. Alien the original director’s cut and Alien Vs. Predator 2 with an exclusive preview and panel with the creators. Also, a screening of Predator. Tickets $15.
• Saturday, Dec. 15
  1 p.m.: Documentary Global Warming. Tickets $10.1:45 p.m.: Premiere of the futuristic action-adventure, animated feature Ex Machina. Special appearance by director Shinji Aramaki and writer Kiyoto Takeuchi. Tickets from $10.

  6 p.m.: The “Heroes” event begins with a tribute to comic creator Stan Lee. Meet the cast and creators of the popular television series and watch the premiere of the next unseen episode on the big screen. Tickets from $10.