European Children's
Film Association
Association Européenne du Cinéma
pour l'Enfance et la Jeunesse
“Once they went on a walk, holding hands”Probably 7 year old Juice has never heard the word ‘Alzheimer’ before, but she surely realises something is changing about Grandma Lovely. As if her thoughts are all the time slipping through her fingers. Now Juice has a mission: to help Grandma Lovely to retain as many memories as possible. In the seclusion of a quiet countryside home, every memory becomes a small treasure.
“What does a rabbit see when it goes into the magician’s hat?”How to find tenderness in a cold and grey world? The atmosphere on the streets in the opening scene of WHERE RABBITS COME FROM, directed by Colin Ludvic Racicot in his studio in Montreal, is both cosy and hostile. Like Montmartre on a dark evening… a very dark evening! In this depressing, dystopian world, a widowed rabbit father defies the authorities to bring a sense of wonder into his daughter’s life.
With everyone being curious about the winners of the ECFA Awards, members should not forget that the result is in their hands. With 29 titles nominated in 3 categories, it all comes down to their votes to decide who will be the winners in the Feature, Short and Doc category. Results will be announced on 17 February 2024 during the Berlinale. ECFA members can start binge watching nominated titles and cast their votes. (Photo: DANCING QUEEN)
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.