Each week the folks at Cinema Circus show a series of short films on Wednesday evening at the Chilmark Community center. The films begin at 6 p.m. but the circus — complete with jugglers, face painters, stilt walkers, food and music — gets underway at 5 p.m.

The short films are programmed each week around a central theme, introduced in the first film by Professor Projector. This week’s theme is inspiration.

An advanced screening of the films was arranged with young cineastes. This week’s reviewers are Clarissa and Luca Rachmiel.

Professor Projector: Inspiration (Dir. Scott Barrow / USA / 2013 / 5 min.).

In this live action movie, Professor and Mr. Peeps are trying to find inspiration to make a movie. The Professor wants to make a movie about a sandwich that invades the world. Mr. Peeps wants to make a movie about chickens. It’s a very funny film with a duck that communicates and can even turn the movie camera on!

Lokomochine (Dirs. Nikolai Neumetzler and Ulrike Schulz / Germany / 2011 / 8 min.).

Two inventors are inspired by friendship and books to make a new machine. We got scared when they both got sucked down the machine at the same time but couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. Luca gave it 100 stars; making inventions is his favorite thing. The animation was beautiful.

Music Box (Dirs. Mixtape Club / U.S.A. / 2010 / 4 min.).

This was a live action movie with a lot of action and rhythm! There’s not much of a plot, but the movie made us feel happy and excited because it was so energetic. The people in this movie are inspired by making music with unusual instruments and tools. Appropriate for all ages!

Ströslbrösl (Dir. Irmgard Walthert / Switzerland / 2012 / 1 min.).

This is a short animated movie made with lots and lots of different kinds of paper. The director likes the challenge of just using paper to tell the story. Worth watching! Super!

Twirl (Dir. Nathaniel Winckler / U.S.A. / 2012 / 3 min.).

A strange movie with 3D animation about music speakers that come to life. It’s all about being plugged in!

A Sea Turtle Story (Dir. Kathy Shultz / Canada / 2011 / 8 min.).

This movie is the best one so far! It’s a movie about the cycle of life. A mommy sea turtle lays eggs in the sand. It’s very sad and emotional because some of the baby turtles get eaten. But one survives and lays her own eggs. The movie uses animation, claymation, paper and plastic. It’s got very bright colors.

Elmer’s Nest (Dir. Jackie Marion / U.S.A. / 2012 / 4 min.).

This is a cute, animated movie about a happy, fuzzy bird named Elmer who gets inspired to make a really cool nest out of all sorts of interesting trash. One of our favorites!

Abiogenesis (Dir. Richard Mans / New Zealand / 2011 / 5 min.).

Wow! A very sophisticated science fiction animation. A transformer spaceship goes to a lifeless planet and makes life by creating a big tree that shoots out plants and flowers. Could be a little scary for young kids but Luca thought it was very interesting. Clarissa thought it was like the robot had all this money — the green liquid in his belly — but didn’t know where to spend it. He flies around looking for the best place.

Sky Color (Dirs. Gary Goldberger, Peter H. Reynolds, and John Lechner / U.S.A. / 2012 / 7 min.).

We loved Skycolor. It was definitely our favorite. It has beautiful, animated artwork about children making a mural for the school library. Marisol, the main character, discovers you don’t need one color of paint to make “Skycolor.” It’s very educational and creative.

Migration of Trees (Dir. Joanna Lurie / France / 2005 / 3 min.).

We were a little confused by this movie. There are little creatures from the trees that look like leaves and then like squirrels and then turn into dandelions. The soundtrack is very exciting to listen to. There are no words. It was not our favorite.

Ailema (Dir. Cecilia Frugiuele / U.K. / 2012 / 10 min.).

This movie was unique because it was live action, with some animated drawings. It’s about a little girl named Amelia whose mind sees letters and numbers differently than other children. This movie made us sad when the other children in class laugh at Amelia because she can’t spell correctly. Amelia can’t spell but she makes beautiful drawings on the wall in her bedroom. She’s very creative. She’s happy to be an artist and doesn’t mind when the children laugh.

The Review on the Reviewers

Names: Clarissa and Luca Rachmiel.

Ages: 8 and 6.

School: Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School in New York city, (2nd and 1st grades).

Pet: Queenie, Betta fish.

Something new you are learning: West African dance. Fishing.

New place you would like to explore: Australia. Duarte Pond.

New food you recently tried: Oysters. Scallops.

Favorite thing about Martha’s Vineyard: Coca Cola stream at Lambert’s Cove.

What do you want to do/be when you grow up?: Marine biologist. Inventor.