Interviews – European Children's Film Association

Eirik Sæter Stordahl about LARS IS LOL

“Our teacher would have us dancing all the time”

On the first day of the school year, 11-year-old Amanda is asked to be a mentor for her new classmate, Lars, who has Down’s syndrome. It’s the last thing she wants. Amanda is convinced that Lars will embarrass her. But to Amanda’s surprise, she and Lars develop a special friendship — one she risks losing when she’s pressured to turn against him. Norwegian director Eirik Sæter Stordahl’s film shows great affection for its characters and for the actors playing them – he knows how to make them shine.

Rasmus Sivertsen about 30 years Qvisten Animation Studio

“A weird Norwegian cocktail”

It is not so much the 30-year history of Norwegian animation studio Qvisten that deserves a round of applause, it is the constant supply of new and exciting animated films for all segments of young audiences that I am impressed by. And by the presence of co-founder and top-director Rasmus Sivertsen, every inch a gentleman. I don’t know how many inches there are in Rasmus Sivertsen, but there’s for sure a lot of gentleman in him.

Soleen Yusef about WINNERS

“I couldn’t trust my own mouth”

Eleven-year-old Mona and the rest of her Kurdish family have fled Syria and ended up in Berlin. Mona is sent to a notorious primary school, a place of chaos and tension. Teachers are having a nervous breakdown and frustration among students is increasing by the day. Mona doesn’t speak a word of German, but luckily she can speak football. So did Soleen Yusef – talking about her film is like talking about her life.

Gunnbjörg Gunnarsdóttir about VICTORIA MUST GO

“All the research I did on guns and hitmen”

Victoria is the new stepmother of Hedvig and Henrik, a pair of posh kids, who can barely get their father’s attention anymore, all the while succumbing to the new rules of the annoying Victoria. And therefore… VICTORIA MUST GO! They come up with a brilliant plan: they will hire a hitman! Even more striking than the absurd story, which constantly balances on the edge of what is morally acceptable, is the art design of this Norwegian film.

Tanya Doyle about EAT / SLEEP / CHEER / REPEAT

“An Irish person will never get a cup of tea”

If you’re hoping for the Dallas Cowboys, rather expect the Galway Gallopers, a cohort of young cheerleaders training to take on the world – and make sure they look good doing it. Tanya Doyle followed them for five years and made EAT / SLEEP / CHEER / REPEAT an uplifting and deeply honest coming-of-age documentary about belonging, self-acceptance and having fun.

Mara Eibl-Eibesfeldt about THABO AND THE RHINO CASE

“Baby rhinos love to take a nap”

How much would you like to have a chat with a baby rhino? Very much, especially after having seen THABO AND THE RHINO CASE, in which you meet the animal in all its droll charm. Yet I’d rather talk to director Mara Eibl-Eibesfeldt, who comes with stories about filming in Africa, about poachers and snakes, and… about filming a baby rhino!

Winfried Oelsner about MAX AND THE SENIOR SQUAD

“A sentence that seemed to come out of nowhere”

Just as Lisa-Marie Dickreiter & Winfried Oelsner had published the third volume of their children’s book series MAX AND THE SENIOR SQUAD in 2016, film producer Martin Richter got in touch. He saw the potential for a family film that could connect generations. His son’s enthusiasm had drawn him towards the adventures of Max and his gang of senior citizens, who live in a retirement home. Ever since the film was successfully released in 2020, it has been screened constantly on German television.

Marta Prokopová about EVERYTHING WE MISSED

“I heard a boy whispering: Kubko is coming”

Slovak director Marta Prokopová does everything she can to keep the memory of her beloved dog Kubko tangible. She made a film about it, an affectionate story about a hard-working woman who barely has time for her dog. Until an unexpected catastrophe leaves them reliant on each other. The warm feelings for her now-deceased friend are palpable in everything Marta says and does.