LEWISTON – The Lewiston Public Library invites the young and the young-at-heart to a free matinee showing of award-winning nature movies from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, in Callahan Hall.

The afternoon will feature four informative and entertaining documentaries drawn from the roster of the International Wildlife Film Festival of Missoula, Mont.

In “Be the Creature: Orangutans,” noted TV naturalists Chris and Martin Kratt travel to the remote Indonesian island of Kalimantan (formerly Borneo) to experience first-hand the life and death struggle of one of the most endangered primates on the planet: the orangutan. They watch as humans pursue and capture the vulnerable creatures to expand the exotic pet trade.

But they also see that humans can be helpers when they visit a sanctuary for sick and orphaned orangutans. The Kratt brothers join the baby orangutans at “orangutan school,” where they take on the role of teacher, introducing their young charges to such wilderness survival skills as swinging in trees, running from poisonous snakes and finding termites in a rotten log.

Three short-subject films will complete the program. “Spirit Mandala” is a look at the perplexing similarities between human beings and animals, while “Ride of the Mergansers” offers a blend of natural history, humor and suspense as the camera captures a brood of day-old ducklings’ first foray from their nest.

In “Habitat and Niche,” wildlife video is alternated with scenes featuring school-age kids to illustrate concepts such as habitat fragmentation, invasive species and adaptation.

Environmental educator Jocelyn Hubbell will be on hand to engage youngsters in a learning exercise midway through the afternoon.

Saturday’s movie matinee is part of the Lewiston Public Library’s Wildlife Film Weekend, which features screenings of other nature films from 7 to 9:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday. While admission is free, popcorn and beverages will available for purchase at all three shows, with proceeds earmarked to support future educational programming presented by the library and the event’s co-sponsor, the Stanton Bird Club.

Susan Hayward, bird club president, said, “This series should appeal to both nature fans and film buffs of all ages. The films beautifully enhance the topics included in this year’s programs for our junior naturalists and junior stewards.”

The series was underwritten by Laskoff and Associates law firm of Lewiston. It is part of LPL’s ongoing Cornerstones of Science program.

More information on the weekend, including a full schedule of the movies being shown and descriptions of each, is available via the library’s Web site at www.lplonline.org, or by calling 784-0135, ext. 210.