European Children's Film Association
Association Européenne du Cinéma pour l'Enfance et la Jeunesse
ECFA in Persons
Margret Albers, Erfurt and Gera/Germany
Since 1996, Margret Albers, born in 1967, has been managing director of the Golden Sparrow Foundation („Stiftung Goldener Spatz“). Besides other activities, this foundation organizes the German Festival for Children’s Films and Television which takes place every two years in the Thuringian cities Erfurt and Gera.
The Festival and the touring programme with award winning films present a big variety of forms and styles for both film and television. „We want to create an awareness that media for children is much more than big brands and that media especially made for children is important within the social and/or cultural framework.
Although the Golden Sparrow Foundation is a national organisation, in Margret Albers’ opinion it is necessary to join in and contribute to international networks as ECFA: „In several European countries – including Germany – children's media is regarded as a minor niche within the media business. To improve this situation of developing children's media on a national and European level it is crucial to exchange experiences and ideas – to simply learn from each other.“
Furthermore Margret Albers sees ECFA as quite helpful to get information about new films and the activities of the festivals. „ECFA’s activities are a good platform – there you have the opportunity for exchange, can work out which issues are common and develop further activities and strategies. Last but not least you meet your colleagues in person.“
From ECFA Margret Albers would like to have more opportunities to meet and discuss important topics, e.g. marketing and distribution.
The Golden Sparrow spreads its Festival-wings bi-annual in April in Erfurt and Gera (Thuringia).
Margret Albers, Erfurt and Gera/Germany
Florence Dupont, Paris
Adam Graham, Leeds/UK
Tonje Hardersen, Oslo/Norway
Gert Hermans, ECFA and Jekino, Brussels
Dick de Jonge, Amsterdam
Petr Koliha, Zlin/Czech Republic
Elisabeth Lichtkoppler, Vienna
Mia Lindrup, Oslo/Norway
Kathy Loizou, Sheffield/UK
Domenico Lucchini, Switzerland
Debbie Maturi, Leeds/UK
Wigbert Moschall, Berlin/Germany
Jerzy Moszkowicz, Poznañ/Poland
Sannette Naeyé, Amsterdam/NL
Elke Ried, Cologne/Germany
Reinhold T. Schoeffel, Frankfurt
Eva Schwarzwald, Italy
Rose-Marie Strand, Stockholm
Lennart Ström, Malmö/Sweden
Felix Vanginderhuysen, Brussels/Belgium
Eszter Vuojala, Oulu Film Center/Finland