5th ECFA Award (2016) for BIRDS OF PASSAGE
A memorable title was added to the ECFA Award Palmares. With BIRDS OF PASSAGE, for the second time the brothers Olivier (director) and Yves (producer) Ringer took home the title of ‘Best Young Audience Film of the Year’.
Already four years ago Olivier Ringer was the winner of the first ECFA Award ever for his film ON THE SLY. Now the members of the European Children’s Film Association (ECFA) have chosen his BIRDS OF PASSAGE (Belgium & France) to win the ECFA Award 2016. Congratulations!
The award was given out in a ceremony during the Children’s Film Community Party (Treffen der Kinderfilmszene) at the “Vertretung des Freistaates Sachsen beim Bund in Berlin” on February 13th, during the International Berlin Film Festival.
Almost 60 members of ECFA, children’s film experts and professionals from all over Europe, have casted their votes to one of the shortlisted films, awarded by ECFA Juries at ten festivals throughout the year 2015. BIRDS OF PASSAGE (already collecting awards in 18 festivals, and probably many more to follow) was followed by SONG OF THE SEA, by Tomm Moore.
Both Olivier (director) and Yves Ringer (producer) were in Berlin to collect the award. Yves Ringer: “Winning the award for the second time is a tremendous recognition. It means a lot to us as ECFA represents humane, cultural and educational values that are dear to our heart.” Olivier added: “It is important to make family films with a strong emotional impact on both children and parents. With the resources at our disposal, we can’t compete with the blockbusters on the market. But what we can do, is telling a story as adequate as possible.” Olivier came with even more surprising news: actress Léa Warny, sitting in a wheelchair, will soon undergo a surgery that might cause a break-through in her situation. Maybe it will be possible for her to even carefully walk again in the future. Good news putting all possible awards in the shadow!
Yves & Olivier Ringer sent us this clip after they received the ECFA Award 2016 for their film BIRDS OF PASSAGE:
Films nominated for the ECFA Award 2016
ECFA Award at Europees Jeugdfilmfestival in Antwerp & Bruges (Belgium): “Jack” by Edward Berger, Germany, 2014.
ECFA Award at International Children’s Film Festival FIFEM in Montreal (Canada): “Operation Arctic” by Grethe Bøe–Waal, Norway, 2014.
ECFA Award at BUFF – International Children & Youth Film Festival in Malmö (Sweden): “X + Y” by Morgan Matthews, UK, 2014.
ECFA Award at Ciné-Jeune de l’Aisne in Saint-Quentin (France): “Song of the Sea” by Tomm Moore, Ireland, Luxembourg, Denmark,… 2014.
ECFA Award at the Kristiansand International Children’s Film Festival in Kristiansand (Norway): “Song of the Sea” by Tomm Moore, Ireland, Luxembourg, Denmark,… 2014
ECFA Award at the International Film Festival for Children & Youth in Zlín (Czech Republic): “Birds of Passage” by Olivier Ringer, Belgium & France, 2015.
ECFA Award at Lucas International Children’s Film Festival in Frankfurt am Main (Germany): “About a Girl” by Mark Monheim, Germany, 2014.
ECFA Award at KINOdiseea – International Children’s Film Festival in Bucharest (Romania): “Birds of Passage” by Olivier Ringer, Belgium & France, 2015.
ECFA Award at the Oulu International Children’s & Youth Film Festival in Oulu (Finland): “Operation Arctic” by Grethe Bøe–Waal, Norway, 2014.
ECFA Award at the International Young Audience Film Festival Ale Kino! in Poznan (Poland): “Life According to Nino” by Simone van Dusseldorp, The Netherlands, 2014.
ECFA Award at Olympia International Film Festival for Children & Young People in Pyrgos (Greece): “Seven Ravens” by Alice Nellis, Slovak & Czech Republic, 2015.