Ever since Europe has gone into quarantine, the Olympia Film Festival started broadcasting one quality young audience film per day through its Facebook page.
Continue reading “Olympia facilitates unique online screening”
Author: Gert Hermans
Anu Aun about PHANTOM OWL FOREST
“An outrageous but not so comfortable dress code”
Since Eia’s parents have little time for her, the 10 year old girl is forced to spend the Christmas holiday with her grandfather on a remote farm, in the middle of the snow covered Estonian forest. There she discovers the beauty of nature and wildlife, threatened by a businessman who has a plan to destroy the primeval forest, inhabited by mysterious owls. While fighting for the protection of Phantom Owl Forest, Eia unwraps a well-kept family secret.
Producer Milena Klemke about TOO FAR AWAY
“Boys in general love to be on the pitch”
Two kids arrive at the same time in a new school, Ben whose family had to move after their house was sold to a mining company, and Syrian refugee Tariq. They meet not only in class, but also on the football pitch, both aspiring to the same position as the goal scoring striker. We met Milena Klemke, producer of TOO FAR AWAY at the Filem’on festival in Brussels.
Festival Interview: Claire Shaw about 30 years of Cinemagic
“A flagship arts event in the city of Belfast”
Several festivals that are nowadays among the leading events in the European children’s film circuit were founded 30 years ago. Cinemagic is one of them. There must have been something in the wind back then, as most of these festivals have since developed in a similar way: ever-growing, with a more professional profile and extra attention for the industry.
Richard Heap about THE RUNAWAYS
Turning donkeys into prima donna’s
Angie and her younger siblings live in a cabin by the sea. Their father hardly makes a living vending donkey-rides at the beach. For this family there is nothing like an evening of dark ale and folk singing in the pub to forget about life’s hardships. But that night Uncle Blythe returns from prison, harbouring a grudge over a long-standing family debt. Not much later the kids find themselves riding two donkeys over the moors under the drizzling rain, trying to escape from Blythe. At the Filem’on Festival we asked director Richard Heap about the exact locations of the film.
Floor van der Meulen about THE LAST MALE ON EARTH
Rhino and mankind
Sudan is the last of its kind. A northern white rhinoceros, of which there are only three left – two females and this 40 year old bull. The animal is a star, the Kenyan conservancy where he spends his last days, is like a pilgrimage site where thousands come to take selfies and pet the colossus. Extinction as an attraction. “It was surreal to touch something that will soon disappear,” says Dutch director Floor van der Meulen.
Kato De Boeck about PROVENCE
“That summer I turned silent”
Every summer vacation Camille’s family sets off on a camping trip to the French Provence. This year her brother Tuur is paying extra attention to a couple of girls at the campsite. Camille’s admiration turns into jealousy: what if Tuur meets a girl that he will love more than he loves her? Over the last year, PROVENCE has collected festival awards as if they were autumn leaves.
Director Frank Mosvold about ELLA BELLA BINGO
The ELLA BELLA BINGO project has been talked about for years and stood in the spotlight at various Works in Progress. Expectations were high for this animated feature about the little girl with her sporty bike. Director Frank Mosvold held a board position at the Kristiansand Festival for many years. For ECFA Journal he exclusively writes about the genesis of his film, which is now ready to enter the children’s film market for the youngest audience.