Best Feature Film for Children
Ballad From Tibet
dir. ZHANG WEI, China
BALLAD from TIBET is a story about a group of Tibetan kids embarking on an odyssey, each for a different reason. Thupten, with one eye partially working and the other completely dysfunctional, wants to see the world before his life goes completely dark.
HALKAA
dir. Nila Madhab Panda, India
Halkaa (Relief) is a unique take on a slum child’s heroism, aspirations and dreams. The child protagonist, Pichku fights for the basic problem that he faces everyday; defecating in the open among others.
The Witch Hunters
dir. Rasko Miljkovic, Serbia, Macedonia
10-year-old Jovan has had cerebral palsy for as long as he can remember. His condition has shaped his everyday life and made him think of himself as invisible to others – particularly his parents and classmates. In the world of his imagination, however, to which he escapes frequently, he is free to be who he wants and possesses the hero superpowers that everybody dreams of.
STOP THE HORNED VIKINGS!
dir. Ilia Belostockiy, Russian Federation
Harvie and the Magic Museum
dir. Martin Kotík, Inna Evlannikova, Belgium, Czech Republic, Russian Federation
Harvie is a smart but a bit lively boy with one ambition, to finish the last level of his computer game. Once in the Gamers Hall of Fame, his absent-minded father, Mr. Spejbl, would finally be proud of him. But finishing the game turns out to be only the start of a real adventure that takes Harvie, his dog Jerry, and his friend Monica deep into the forgotten realms of the city’s old puppet museum.
Backstage
dir. Andrea Sedlackova, Slovakia, Czech Republic
The third wish
dir. Vít Karas, Czech Republic
Kindly, mischievous and humorous story about the troubles of a lovesick teenager called Albert which takes place in a twinkling pre-Christmas spa town lorded over by a renowned international hotel belonging to a somewhat self-centred hotelier by the name of Bosák. Albert, whose parents perform in the hotel’s magic show, loves Joanne – his best friend Eman’s sister. Joanne, who prefers to be called Jo-Ann, has no time for Albert and like other girls in town is head over heels in love with the school’s heartbreaker – Bosák junior.
The Last Warrior
dir. Dmitry Dyachenko, Russian Federation
Ivan, an ordinary guy, who, by mere chance, is transferred from modern Moscow to fantasy land of Belogorie. This parallel world is inhabited by characters of Russia fairy-tales, magic is an inherent part of ordinary life and disputes are settled by an enchanted swords fight. Ivan turns up in the middle of the battle between light and dark forces, although it’s unclear why, by everyone’s opinion, he has the leading role in these events.
Blue Wind Blows
dir. Tetsuya Tomina, Japan
Ao lives with his mother and little sister Kii on Sado Island in Japan. He misses his father, who recently disappeared without a trace – although not much is spoken about it. While their mother tries to deal with the loss in her own way, Ao and Kii run across the island and scream at the ocean. In the mysterious Sayoko, who inconspicuously swipes books from the school library, Ao finds a confidant. Few words are needed between the two reticent, dreamy children: together, they at once feel less alone. Against the striking backdrop of an industrialised coastal town, Tetsuya Tomina‘s poetic film tells a tale of dreams, loss and monsters.
Supa Modo
dir. Lukarion Wainaina, Kenya, Germany
Nine-year-old Jo loves action films and dreams of being a superhero. Her biggest wish: to make a film and star in it. In her fantasy she can forget that she is terminally ill. When Jo‘s sister can no longer bear seeing the cheerful girl spend her precious remaining time in bed, she encourages Jo to believe in her magic powers, and the whole village to make Jo’s dream a reality. This moving drama by Kenyan filmmaker Likarion Wainaina, created as part of a master class hosted by the German Kenyan production collective One Fine Day Films/Ginger Ink, is about the power of the imagination and an unusual means of saying farewell.
Wallay
dir. Berni Goldblat, France, Burkina Faso, Qatar
Ady, a 13 years old boy, no longer listens to his father who raises him alone. The latter, running out of resources, decides to entrust Ady to his uncle Amadou for the summer. Uncle Amadou and his family live on the other side of the Mediterranean sea… in Burkina Faso! There, at 13 years, one must become a man but Ady, persuaded to go on holidays, understands things differently…
