European Children's
Film Association
Association Européenne du Cinéma
pour l'Enfance et la Jeunesse
Giancarlo Zappoli has been Artistic Director of the Castellinaria – Bellinzona Youth Film Festival since 1998. After 28 years of selecting and presenting films targeting not only young audiences but also the general public, his companion Filippo Demarchi (Head of Industry at Castellinaria) felt the time was right for a hymn of praise.
Continue reading “Giancarlo Zappoli, a life dedicated to cinema”
It is no small matter to include a prestigious event such as the Giffoni Film Festival in the list of festivals that hand out ECFA Awards. In return, the festival immediately added a wonderful title to the list of nominated films.
Continue reading “Giffoni’s ECFA Award for TALES FROM THE MAGIC GARDEN”
Following the recent transition to Greece, CIFEJ wanted to present the new course it intends to take, and found the SCHLINGEL Festival to be the perfect platform for this. In his presentation, Secretary General Vassilis Karamitsanis paid tribute to some of the cornerstones of the past and outlined the plans for the future.
In Germany, a new collective is forging stronger recognition for the work of film mediators under the name AG Filmvermittlung – Freie Filmvermittler:innen. The association unites people who work (often freelance) in film education. Its mission is to ensure film literacy becomes an integral part of cultural education.
Continue reading “AG Filmvermittlung: Film Education United”
There’s no season like the festival season. Make it YOUR season with the ECFA Journal.
“When you think about the festival, you think about the best season of the year”In the Czech town of Zlin, every year a festival pulls up like a giant steam engine – and almost as old as the steam engine! At their 65th edition, the Zlin Film Festival still proudly wears its honorary title as ‘Europe’s oldest and largest children’s film festival’. This steam train is so big that it needs two drivers. Marketa Pasmova and Jaroslava Hynstova are much-loved faces on the international film circuit, but what qualities do you need to keep such a festival mastodon running?
“We’re used to fighting for recognition”Calling your company ‘Bear with me Distribution’ sounds like an apology, as if you’re asking for patience. Which we unfortunately don’t have. Because we can’t wait to see a new distribution company, specialising in animated short films that appeal to young audiences! Managing Director Lucia Dubravay Trautenberger: “Our mission is to bridge the gap between artistry and accessibility, captivating both international festival-goers and the hearts of children.”
“I just want to be there when it happens”Over just 7 editions, the Athens Int’l Children’s Film Festival has firmly established itself on the map of European festivals. It seems to be growing fast, but it is a controlled growth – this festival evolves by the book, without skipping pages, but it is a page-turner! Think of everything a festival needs – films for every audience segment, workshops, a space for digital and analogue play and experimentation, an industry section, decentralisation… and you’ll find it in Athens, on a large or small scale. There is a comprehensive story, a way to make all segments fit together according to an overarching idea. For that, you need someone with vision to guard the bigger picture.