European Children's
Film Association
Association Européenne du Cinéma
pour l'Enfance et la Jeunesse
Isn’t it a bit nerdy, a festival where the introduction speeches emphasise the restoration techniques that were used, and where restoration studios get more applause than directors? Among the audience you will find cinephiles, representatives of film schools and film museums, and children! Within this huge festival, a young audience section stands out not only for its unique programming, but also for the astonishing diversity of its audience.
The thing with magic dragons is that they can appear everywhere, ready to fuel a few fires. Drac Magic is everywhere – they have a hand in every step of the film dissemination process and they actively give shape to the theoretical and social framework in which they desire to work. Their ideas are outspoken, and so are their actions. Celebrating their 50th anniversary, they’re still true to Drac Magic’s initial ideals, but flexible enough to have them evolving according to the needs of today.
Claudio Gubitosi: “Changing the idea about the South“Everybody knows the Giffoni Film Festival, one of the biggest children’s film events, but little do we know about the beating heart of the festival, the founder and director Claudio Gubitosi. What we all know about the festival in Southern Italy is this: it’s welcoming young people from around the globe through exchange projects, it’s big in numbers, premieres and screenings, it attracts famous Hollywood stars as festival guests and… it’s celebrating its 50th anniversary!
“The golden rule of children’s cinema: get rid of the adults”Creeping footsteps in the museum garden, skilful fingers fumbling on the frame of a painting… Not just any painting, but a masterpiece by Monet. The next day it turns out the painting has been stolen and Julka and Olek start their investigation. Since Julka’s aunt is falsely accused of theft, the duo quickly needs to reveal the true identity of the thief. They get unsolicited help from Felka, though with her comes trouble, jealousy and rivalry.
“Boys room or ladies room, it doesn’t matter for me”Wen Long is neither a boy nor a girl… she is intersex; at her birth it was unclear whether she was a boy or girl. Her parents leave the choice up to her. As an intersex person, it is difficult to know where you’re standing in a world distinguished between men and women. During the JEF festival, we had a talk with director Lara Aerts, Wen Long and her parents.
“We found a small airfield that had a few old planes scattered around”Anyone who gets a kick out of airplanes and aerobatics will certainly get their money’s worth in Lior Chefetz’ debut film. But SKY RAIDERS is not just about the roaring of engines. It is also the story of a boy learning to cope with his father’s death, an old man who sees the past revived, and a beautiful bond between a boy and a girl.
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ECFA has announced the results of their annual ECFA Awards. In an award ceremony, streamed live from the Zlin Film Festival studio, prizes were handed out to MARONA, FORWARD: TOMORROW BELONGS TO US, and MATILDA AND THE SPARE HEAD. All winning directors were present to collect their awards.
Continue reading “ECFA Awards 2021 for Best European Children’s Films”