21st International Film Festival for Children and Young Audience SCHLINGEL

26.09.2016 to 02.10.2016

Chemnitz

Yellow Flowers on Green Grass (© Film production)

This year an ecumenical jury has awarded prizes at the International Film Festival for Children and Young Audience "Schlingel" in Chemnitz for the first time. Thereby INTERFILM and SIGNIS reinforce their support of films for children and youth. Until now, the only ecumenical jury of a film festival for children and youth operated at the film festival in Zlín (Czech Republic) which is the oldest of its kind, founded already in 1961.

The prize winner of the Ecumenical Jury is "Hunt for the Wilderpeople", directed by Taika Waititi (New Zealand, 2016), which also won the Junior Film Award. A Commendation was awarded to the children's film "Meester Kikker" (Mr. Frog), directed by Anna van der Heide (Belgium, Netherlands, 2016). The European Children's Film Award went to "Korunní Prince" (Crown Prince) by Karel Janák (Czech Republic, 2015). Several prizes were awarded to the Vietnamese children's film "Tôi Thấy Hoa Vàng Trên Cỏ Xanh" (Yellow Flowers on Green Grass) by Victor Vu (Best Child Actor, Main Award of the Department of Private Broadcast and New Media of the Saxon Free State, Commendation of the Children's Film Jury). "Buffalo Rider" by Joel Soisson (USA, Thailand 2015) was awarded with the Prize of the City of Chemnitz, "My Name is Emily" by Simon Fitzmaurice (Ireland 2015) won the Award of the Youth Film Jury.

"Schlingel" is organised by the Saxon Service for Children and Youth film in Chemnitz since 1991, cooperating since 2006 with the State Institution for private broadcasting and new media of Saxony.

Link: Festival-Website

Auszeichnungen

Prize of the Ecumenical Jury, SCHLINGEL 2016

Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Directed by:

Taika Waititi

New Zealand

2016

When Ricky, a grumpy boy of 13, arrives in his new foster home far away in the wilderness of New Zealand, he is the one to be surprised by the roughness of the environment and his new parents.

With an unusual cast and a strong focus on the awesome landscape, Hunt for the Wilderpeople is reminding us of the aim of education: to help children find their autonomy. The attitude of the grown-ups questions our relation towards animals and nature.

This film, made for a younger audience, with a gripping story and hilarious moments, puts you on an unusual path where Ricky finds self-confidence and freedom. A rough story where human beings can find their right place only with the help of others. (Photo: © Film production)

Commendation of the Ecumenical Jury, SCHLINGEL 2016

Meester Kikker

Mr. Frog

Directed by:

Anna van der Heide

Belgium, Netherlands

2016

A modern fairy tale where child fiction and adult reality come together in a pleasant adventure. The likeable teacher sometimes transforms into a frog and the class learns to get together to protect him. Mister Frog gives a positive image of school and education, and the soft special effects and the colourful light add to the charm of this joyful film for a very young audience. (Photo: © Film production)

More about the festival

Diversity of Reactions, Harmony in Judgements

Magali van Reeth, member of the 1st Ecumenical Jury at the International Film Festival for Children and Young Audience in Chemnitz 2016, reports about her experience.