European Children's
Film Association
Association Européenne du Cinéma
pour l'Enfance et la Jeunesse
“I never thought I had so much focus in me”I am Yfendo van Praag, 17 years old and I DON’T WANNA DANCE is like a snapshot of my life. You discover who I am and what I do. My character Joey is taken from his family. He would prefer to live with his mother, but encounters obstacles: should he choose for himself or invest in their relationship?
“We were cool in our underground hideout”Root vegetables may not be the most elegant of all, but the title character in THE TURNIP looks beautiful. While the roots are teeming with hungry insects, a farming family tries with all their might to harvest the crop.
“A beautiful noise all over Bangladesh”In the most wonderful colours, Amitabh Reza Chowdhury’s RICKSHAW GIRL depicts all kinds of injustice in the villages and towns of Bangladesh. Naima, a young girl who wants to help her ailing father, encounters abuse of power, discrimination and social inequality while cycling the streets of Dhaka with her rickshaw.
“How social hatred was born in modern Tunisia”When 12 year old Gadeha has a traffic accident, his mother can’t afford the medical treatment and is relying on the help of a random family she meets at the hospital. After Gadeha’s recovery, he and his family move into the home of their benefactors, where he befriends his ‘new brother’ Oussama. However, the secret that Gadeha’s mother is keeping might disturb the fragile balance.
“A bridge between African and European art”A child, a buffalo and a beautiful mask are the ingredients of the animated short KUUMBA UMBO. Belgian-Russian director Ekaterina Ogorodnikova explains how these elements together form a story about an African boy growing up to be a man.
“Improvising is not very economical”How to do an interview about a 3.5 minute short film consisting only of transforming objects, seemingly without logic or structure? Well… by finding someone who can tell fascinating things about a 3.5 minute short film consisting only of transforming objects. Like Alexander Isert.
On 18 February ECFA announced the winners of the annual ECFA Awards for Best European Children’s Film, Children’s Documentary and Children’s Short Film. Winner of the Feature Film Award was COMEDY QUEEN (by Sanne Lenken), the Documentary Award went to WHY DIDN’T YOU STAY FOR ME? (by Milou Gevers), the Short Film Award saw an ex aequo, awarding both THE RIGHT WORDS (by Adrian Moyse Dullin) and LUCE AND THE ROCK (by Britt Raes).
Continue reading “ECFA Awards 2023 for Best European Children’s Films”
Registration for ECFA’s special trade fair in which educators will actively participate and inspire each other with creative ideas is open until 15 March. To ensure the best workshop experience, places are limited – therefore: don’t hesitate and fill in the form. Register yourself quickly before it’s too late!