European Children's
Film Association
Association Européenne du Cinéma
pour l'Enfance et la Jeunesse
What is the status of film production for children and youth in the Nordics? Are the historically praised Nordic funding schemes still going strong? In October 2023 film professionals from six Nordic countries and regions met in Copenhagen to share their findings and experiences at The Pan Nordic Industry Think Tank on Children’s Media, organised by NoJSe and funded by MEDIA – Creative Europe.
The Dutch Taartrovers (Cake Robbers) have done wonderful things, which is why ECFA was delighted to involve them in our projects (such as the first edition of the Workshop Warehouse). But now they have done something they have never done before: curating their first exhibition about film! Lichtspielplatz (Light-playground) is a collaboration with the DFF (German Film Institute & Film Museum) in Frankfurt, where the exhibition is stationed. The exhibition will be open until 12 May and will then be available to other interested parties. You too can easily invite a gang of Cake Robbers too! Continue reading “Taartrovers curates exposition with DFF (Frankfurt)”
In 2020 the short film THE KICKSLED CHOIR (by Torfinn Iversen, Norway) was a real award magnet. The film – shortlisted for the Oscars in 2021 and taking home awards from just about every festival it screened at – tells of a boy who witnesses a racist incident involving his father. In a wintry village, preparing for Christmas, he stands up for his own convictions, although this increases tensions with his father. It looks like this beautiful short film is now getting an extension: THE KICKSLED CHOIR – the feature film is currently being prepared by Norwegian producer Fjordic Film.
Continue reading “New Norwegian features on the horizon: THE KICKSLED CHOIR and DANCING QUEEN 2”
Several festivals have the habit of inviting their guests for a filmed interview, posting the clips online. Such videos mainly serve local audiences but ECFA would like to offer them a chance for greater visibility. Festivals that have clips or podcasts available are hereby invited to distribute them via the ECFA website.
The Antwerp Youth Film Festival (formerly known as JEF festival) comes up with something new every year, while preserving previous successes. A classic festival highlight was the ‘Experiential Screenings’ and for the first time the event had a ‘festival square’ with an inflatable cinema and game arena.
Continue reading “Youth Film Festival Antwerp creates Inflatable Festival Village”
Two of the most significant industry initiatives in children’s film have recently launched their calls for the next edition. Cinekid (Amsterdam) invites you for the Script LAB & Junior Co-Production Market; the Young Horizons Co-production Forum (Warsaw) is looking for feature films and TV series for young audiences.
Continue reading “Calls for Cinekid for Professionals and Young Horizons Industry Days are open”
The Ket & Doc formation trajectory not only launched a revival of young audience documentaries in Flanders, but also guarantees five new titles every year. The powerful new crop premiering at the Antwerp Youth Film Festival is now suited and booted to conquer festivals around the world. Hang on for a super strong selection!
Having the status as a major Scandinavian children’s film festival lends itself to opening with a big premiere. At the BUFF festival in Malmö that became LARS IS LOL, a Norwegian film by Eirik Sæter Stordahl.