European Children's
Film Association
Association Européenne du Cinéma
pour l'Enfance et la Jeunesse
In the realm of cinematic storytelling for young audiences, PomPom Film emerges as a new production company, led by Croatian director and producer Marina Andree Škop, whose portfolio spans over 25 years of experience in producing and directing. (Photo: SPACEHEAD)
“A camera that feels like the sea”Lena’s life is suddenly turned upside down when her father dies in a shipping accident. Together with him, two crew members went down. When Lena feels that her father might be blamed for the drama, she is captivated by a strange thought: perhaps a mysterious sea monster lurking in the North Sea is driving ships into the abyss… While SEA SPARKLE takes us from the shore deeper and deeper into the ocean, the film also digs deeper into the young girl’s emotional confrontations with her friends and family.
“This is our vain vision on heroism”In 1926, Italian engineer Umberto Nobile received a phone call from the famous Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen: would he be willing to build an airship and go on an expedition to the North Pole? And yes, his dog Titina can join. As good companions they start their journey, but as the expedition continues both proud men are more and more at each other’s throats. Titina sits in her basket and observes… as the only one on board keeping her cool.
“Not all people are good”When nine year old Babs gets a piglet as a gift from her mysterious Grandfather Tuitjes, her mother – a hardliner vegetarian – isn’t exactly pleased. Babs does everything she can to teach ‘Oink’ some manners, so she can keep him. As occupied as she is with her mission, little does she notice how a villain has evil plans for her beloved pig.
Screening for a hearing-impaired audienceIt was a remarkable moment during the BUFF Festival: the enthusiasm for OKTHANKSBYE (Nicole van Kilsdonk, the Netherlands) concerned not only the film, but especially the Q&A. The audience, which mainly consisted of deaf and hearing-impaired youngsters, made clear to screenwriter Lilian Sijbesma how delighted they felt to recognise themselves in the main characters. According to festival programmer Daniel Lundquist, this special screening was no coincidence.
“My aim is to be a small, friendly fly”More than a talented gymnast, Whitney is a popular YouTube star with a million followers. Among them is Yara from Germany, one of her biggest fans. The two girls – one seemingly unreachable, the other one in devoted idolatry – live in different continents but are connected by their screens. Joya Thome brings them together in a documentary about teenagers finding out who they are and what they want from life.
“Highlighting the generational trauma of my people”Jub Clerc is a Nyulnyul and Yawuru film director and screenwriter from Australia. This year, her feature film debut SWEET AS won the Crystal Bear for Best Film in the Generation KPlus section at the Berlinale. “A film that touched us by virtue of the personal stories of the characters and its impressive backdrops. You can see how various characters grow together“, according to the jury’s citations.
“Not showing any adults insinuates some kind of utopia”A group of Achuar children roam the rainforest along the boards of the Pastaza river, on the Ecuador–Peru border. Nature is their habitat, playground and workshop. They harvest vegetables and fruit, go out fishing in a small boat, they hunt forest animals, play at a waterfall, and watch videos on their smartphones. These kids run their daily lives almost autonomously. Portuguese filmmaker Inês T. Alves, stranded in this isolated community, observed them with a camera, catching glimpses of their daily lives that unfold on the rhythm of the floating of the river.