No. 2 / 2011 Q: to Game Or Not to Game…? A: to Game! May ECFA’S Annual Conference Review

No. 2 / 2011 Q: To Game or Not to Game…? A: To Game! May ECFA’s Annual Conference Review

EDITORIAL Kristiansand Children’s International Film Festival, Norway, was once again host to the ECFA and Film & Kino annual conference. This year brought us Among its members ECFA counts a to a controversial topic within the film industry, especially when focusing on growing amount of festivals, includ- children and young people. However, it was the precise aim to demystify the ing 3 new festivals signing up in 2011. In that position ECFA recently gaming world and introduce the capabilities of incorporating video gaming into felt the anxiety rising amongst festival programs, educational strategies and industry cooperation. some European children and youth film festivals about the Berlinale’s ECFA Board Member Adam Graham had a strong desire to bring a valuable insight selection policy. According to the into one of the most productive and profitable moving image industries with the inten- rules of an ‘A rated festival’ and tion to share knowledge, training and effective cooperation to move film exhibition for the guidelines for the other Berli- young people into the future. nale sections, Berlin’s ‘Generation’ The world of the moving image no longer belongs solely to the film industry but now (Europe’s leading children’s film fes- also to the industry of video games. The conference aimed to open up this world and tival) always stated that they prefer the opportunities it can bring to festivals, educators and moving image professionals. world and / or European premiers, The aims of the conference were to: as confirmed in a hearing during - Introduce the modern world of gaming including development companies, marketing the latest festival. But they won’t companies and home experiences. refuse films that have already had a domestic release or a domestic - Bring together the gaming and film exhibition industries to the benefit of each other festival premier. Some producers for audience development. and sales agents prefer to be on the - Gaming as an educational tool. The advantages of learning through gaming as art, safe side and therefore refuse to culture, narrative, characterization, consequences of actions, motor skills and media send their film into other, even do- literacy. mestic, festivals desperately hoping - To give film and education professionals experience of what the gaming world can for a place in the Generation pro- bring to their programs. gram. You can’t blame a festival for - To emphasis the ‘thinning of the line’ between film and video games. No longer are its success nor for being ‘wanted’ by these industries separated from each other but come hand in hand both on an indus- the industry people. try level and creative level. However, most agents wait in vain. Places in the Generation program are limited. Considered that quality productions are rather rare and sales agents, producers and distributors already face problems to keep this business prosperous, the Berlinale’s policy puts a certain pressure on the children’s film circuit. In countries with a strong national market for children’s films, Adam Graham, Director of new UK based media education company Ant Creative, festivals might feel its consequences. If producers decide to give specializing in video gaming for social, educational and career opportunities orga- priority to an international festival, nized and moderated the day but started with a different focus than expected. Briefly they somehow put positions on the quizzing the delegates and students from Noroff Instituttet of their experiences of domestic market at stake and limit video gaming it was evident that most did not have personal experience but certainly the possible choices for festival had family members who played and used video gamines regularly. Followed by programmers, especially for those a short film not on video gaming but on education, an RSA film (Royal Society for festivals on the calendar between the encouragement of the Arts) animating part of a lecture by Sir Ken Robinson on September and February. Changing Education Paradigm’s. The film looks at the need and benefits of changing the way we look at education and indeed how children interpret life in the 21st Until Berlinale’s Generation will Century. An immediate hit the film can be viewed at; http://comment.rsablogs.org. communicate in detail about uk/2010/10/14/rsa-animate-changing-education-paradigms/ their most recent regulations, This was to set the foundations of the day by understanding that new ways of ECFA pleads for a mutual respect thinking, new ways of approaching how we do things, especially when concerning amongst children’s film festivals, knowing how they could influence children, are needed to sustain interest and relevance. the youth film industry in general, even on the domestic market. ECFA’s change of address On July 1st, 2011 ECFA’s main office will move to another address (together with Gert Hermans Jekino, ECFA’s hosting company). The new address will be: Rue du Pavillon 3 (Paviljoenstraat 3) 1030 Brussels. All other contact info remains the same.

ECFA Journal No. 2 - 2011 - 1 - sequences of those decisions affect the The News Section: outcome of the narrative for all the char- Films, Festivals, Awards acters involved. Games such as ‘Heavy Rain’ and ‘LA Noire’, both crime drama’s, Cine Junior; Val-de-Marne, can be played individually or in teams, with France the potential to document experiences and Grand Prix: “Sebbe” by Babak Najafi, outcomes throughout the game. Creation Sweden, 2010. Workshops based around the game ‘Little Prix CICAE: “The Colors of the Mark Sample Big Planet 2’ where the game gives you the Mountain” by Carlos Cesar Arbelaez, Key note speaker Mark Sample, Game tools and tuition to create your own levels, Colombia, 2010. Director at Ubisoft, responsible for games and to share them worldwide with Passeurs d’Images Prize: “Flowers of games such as Driver, Bioshock and your own webpage and communities. A pos- Evil” by David Dusa, France, 2010. Assassins Creed presented Digital sible ECFA gaming network of shared levels Grain à Démoudre Award: “Pudana – Convergence: When Games and Movies and games across European Festivals is a Last of the Line” by Anastasia Lapsui Collide. Mark presented an honest and sure possibility! & Markku Lehmuskallio, Finland, open account of the good, the bad and 2009. the ugly of video game film adaptations Ine Bertelsen and Nils-Thomas Okland Young People’s Jury: “Flowers of showing that video games have actually presented a view of video games as art and Evil” & “Soul Boy” by Hawa Essuman, been detrimental to the success of a film their experiences of working with over 3000 Kenya, 2010. in the past. However, a film that set the children in Norwegian Schools discussing www.cinemapublic.org benchmark for digital and 3D cinema, their perceptions of video games. From the also set a benchmark for video game early days of the internet to the present International Filmfestival, adaptation; James Cameron’s Avatar. day Ine introduced a very different form of Generation; Berlin, Germany James Cameron was convinced of the gaming which focused not on narrative or Kplus: Children Jury’s Crystal Bear, impact and importance of the video completion motivations but of artistic enjoy- Best Feature Film: “The Liverpool game to complement his film that he ment and experience. Goalie” by Arild Andresen, Norway, personally worked on the incorporation 2010. Best Short Film: “Minnie Loves of his film world in to the video game The final presentation came from Italy, Mat- Junior” by Andy & Matthew Mullins, world. Collaboration within the film and teo Lollini and Andrea Dressano of the Video Australia, 2010. video game industries are happening to Game Archive at the Cineteca di Bologna. International Jury: Best Feature film: the benefit of each other from sharing An incredibly articulate presentation on the “Tomorrow will be better” by Dorota IP from the outset and sharing skills of comparisons and artistic ideologies between Kędzierzawska, Poland & Japan, programmers, and designers to script video games, film, art and culture. Textual 2010. Best Short Film: “Land of the writers, composers and cinematogra- analysis from book to film and a combina- Heroes” by Sahim Omar Kalifa, Bel- phers. Concluding that collaboration can tion of both for a video game and paintings gium, 2010. only enhance the experience and quality influencing style and content the origins and 14plus: Youth Jury’s Crystal Bear, of both products this is something that importance of video games were laid out. Best Feature Film: “On the Ice” by An- can only benefit everyone involved. Preservation and educational workshops drew Okpeaha MacLean, USA, 2011. are also a key motivation for the Cineteca Best Short Film: “Manurewa” by Sam The new Head of Media at Cinekid Film, di Bologna noting that video games will not Peacocke, New Zealand, 2010. Television and New Media Festival, and should not replace traditional teaching www.berlinale.de Paulien Dresscher, presented their but can be incorporated to increase learning vision for the inclusion and importance potential and ‘bridging the gap’. Reel Fun Film Festival; Calgary, of digital media within their Media Lab. Canada A focus on digital art forms and the All guest speakers were brought together Best of the Fest-Award: “Rising Stars” experience that children gain from the for a vocal panel discussion. Students were by Dan Millican, USA, 2010. extensive and innovative installations very adamant on their learning outcomes Youth Jury Award: “Summer of within a huge ‘warehouse’ throughout from gaming and the topic of ‘educational Eleven” by Joseph Kell, USA, 2010. the festival brought an insight into not video games’ was broached, since the focus www.reelfunfilmfest.com only the enjoyment children gain by in- was on using commercial video games, teracting with media but also the breadth which was discussed in depth and decided International Children’s Film of digital art forms out there and their the subject could also be another day con- Festival (FIFEM); Montréal, relevance to young people today. A truly ference! Canada hands-on working ethic within digital arts People’s Choice: “I am Kalam” by Nila gave the conference another element Overall delegates gave extremely positive Madhab Panda, India, 2010. of the difference including digital and feedback on the subject and contents of the Children’s Jury: ‘Place for Families’ interactive arts into a festival can bring day; Mark Sample was a big hit with the stu- Award: “On the Sly” by Olivier Ringer, programmes and audiences. dents (even signing autographs!), new infor- Belgium / France, 2011. Special Prize: mation and inspiration were two key words in “The Magicians” by Joram Lürsen, Adam Graham started the afternoon by post conference discussions with curiosity of The Netherlands, 2010. presenting his Festival Gaming through video games’ potential and importance within International Jury: Grand Prix de his company Ant Creative. Introduc- today’s culture and art forms. Perhaps we Montréal: “The Liverpool Goalie”; Jury ing the world of interactive gaming and will see digital experiences and interactive Award & Anis Award: “On the Sly”. focusing on two forms of possibilities video games become more evident within www.fifem.com within film festival (and education) future festival programs and education initia- programs; narrative gaming and creation tives throughout Europe. (Adam Graham) Festival di cinema per ragazzi; gaming. Narrative gaming in the form Vittorio Veneto, Italy of video games which now are based Useful Weblinks: www.ubisoft.com, Audience Awards: “Ricky Rapper and on film narrative and characterization, www.ant-creative.co.uk, www.cinekid.nl, the Bicycle Thief“ by Mari Rantasila, where the player must make decisions www.kinokino.no, www.thersa.org, to move the story forward and the con- www.cinetecadibologna.it/archivi/videoludico

ECFA Journal No. 2 - 2011 - 2 - INTERVIEW with Joram Lürsen (THE MAGICIANS, ALFIE THE The News Section: WEREWOLF) “The silent code of secrecy is still standing” Films, Festivals, Awards Now THE MAGICIANS, a father-and-son story with dazzling as well as clumsy conjuring acts started touring European festivals, Joram Lürsen is preparing Finland, 2010; “I Love You Very So his next feature: ALFIE THE WEREWOLF. “It’s about coming out of the closet.”. Much” by Philippe Locquet, France, 2010; „Hangtime“ by Wolfgang Joram Lürsen: “Conjuring is amazing Your next film is about ALFIE THE Groos, Germany, 2009. and astonishing but at the same time it WEREWOLF, an immensely popular Quality Jury’s Award: “Dusk” by Man- makes you smile as the show’s set up is character amongst the youngest chil- ro Smitsman, The Netherlands, 2010; often based on a 50 year old music hall dren. What was the major challenge “The Last Summer of La Boyita“ by tradition. Nowadays some shows are in making that film? Julia Solomonoff, Argentina 2010. really glamorous, like David Copperfield’s Lürsen: “It’s a ‘coming out of the closet’ Award Città di Vittorio Veneto: „A performances or the Dutch Hans Klok’s story for children. What happens to Alfie Thousand Time stronger“ by Peter shows in Las Vegas. Conjuring tickles the is rather extreme: on the night of his 7th Schildt, Sweden, 2010. imagination but also has to do with truth birthday he finds out there is a werewolf www.vittoriofilmfestival.com and illusion, just like cinema.” hiding inside him and he has to learn how to deal with that, just like his par- International Children’s Film How did you work your way into that ents and peers. The script emphasises Festival; New York, USA environment? the aspect of ‘learning to deal with being Best Feature Film: “Aurelie Lürsen: “We contacted Hans Klok, a different’. Laflamme’s Diary“ by Christian Lau- style icon in his genre. He was really co- rence, Canada, 2010. operative and the film leans on his input. Best Short Film: “Marcel the Shell He was at present, coaching during the with Shoes On“ by Dean Fleischer- entire shooting. It’s his hands you see on Camp, USA 2010. screen, even when the actors perform the Special Jury Award Live Action: tricks his hands are in the close-ups. His „Chalk“ by Martina Armati, UK, 2010. mentor, meanwhile an old man, trained Special Jury Award Animation: „The the young actors Thor Braun (Ben) and Little Boy and the Beast“ by Jo- Java Siegertsz (Sylvie).” hannes Weiland & Uwe Heidschoet- Alfie the Werewolf ter, Germany, 2009. They shared their tricks with you? HSBC Environmental Award: „Mia Lürsen: “Almost every trick is for sale The story fully applies to young chil- and the Migoo“ by Jacques-Rémy but it’s an old agreement in the conjur- dren’s fantasy: a bit frightening, taking Girerd, France, 2008. ing world to act as if it’s all strictly secret, place in the middle of the night and with Parents’ Award: „The Yellow Balloon“ even when you can unveil most tricks on a super hero aged 6–8 years. The major by Robert Castillo & Ben Thompson, the internet or in TV-shows. Once you challenge was: finding the right balance USA, 2010. know how it is done it becomes even between adventure, horror and humour. Audience Awards: 3-6 years: „Ormie“ more dazzling as you get more respect Adventure comes first!” by Rob Silvestri, Canada, 2010; 5-10 for the artist’s light-fingeredness. But the y: „Don’t Go“ by Turgut Akacik, Tur- silent code of secrecy is still standing.” It’s about a werewolf! How do you key 2010; 8-14 y: „Marcel the Shell keep that sweet? Lürsen: “Alfie doesn’t look at all like a with Shoes On“; 12-18 y: „Pixels“ by dog or a wolf, more like an oversized Patrick Jean, France, 2010. cat. Werewolves have a dangerous, www.gkids.com bloodthirsty reputation. Indeed Alfie swallows a living chicken, which leaves Europees Jeugdfilmfestival him with a guilty conscious. The pro- Vlaanderen; Antwerp & Bruges, ducer was scared it would be too fright- Belgium ening, but we didn’t want to make it too Professionals Jury’s Awards: Best slack neither. ‘Not frightening enough…’ Feature Film: „Skellig“ by Annabel that would have been really silly.” Jankel, UK, 2010. Best Short Film: „Heartstrings” by Rhiannon Evans, This seems the kind of film that is re- UK. ally influenced by its special effects. ECFA Award: „Ways to Live Forever“ by Gustavo Ron, UK 2009. The Magicians Lürsen: “With a € 3,5 million budget this wasn’t such a big production but 10 % Children’s Jury (Antwerp & Bruges): THE MAGICIANS isn’t just about con- of the film was made in the computer. „The Crocodiles Strike Back” by juring but also about family life. 20 people have worked on it for half a Christian Ditter, Germany, 2010. Best Lürsen: “Ben was born in a sloppy fam- year. The scenes in which Alfie runs and Short Film: „The Girl and the Hunter” ily. The children do not feel adapted to jumps like a dog were entirely animated by Jadwiga Kowalska, Switzerland, society and now their dad is jobless there in 3D in the computer. The consequence 2010. isn’t much money coming in. Meeting was a very tight time schedule. When Young People’s ‘Cut the Crap’ Award: Sylvia confronts him with the other side you know that rendering a shot is done „Simple Simon” by Andreas Öhman, of the coin: a prosperous, well-organized at a 6 minute per frame rate, it takes 2 Sweden, 2010. family with parents having no time nor months before you can take a look at ‘Film Fun in Bed’ Award: „Mobile” by interest in their children. He finds out the all the shots. That process is even more Verena Fels, Germany, 2010. reason why he likes his family so much is time consuming than editing.” (GH) www. jeugdfilmfestival.be exactly because they are a bit different. Let’s call it ‘the charm of the arrears’.” The full version of this interview can be Youngabout - International found on www.ecfaweb.org/projects/film- Film Festival for Young People; making. Bologna, Italy

ECFA Journal No. 2 - 2011 - 3 - The News Section: FOLKETS BIO launches 6 compilations for the youngest audience Films, Festivals, Awards Sweden has a long tradition in the theatrical release of short film Best Feature Film: “Hands Up” by compilations, screened in both multiplexes and arthouse cinemas. Romain Goupil France, 2010. Traditionally those programs were distributed by the Swedish Film www. youngabout.com Institute and Folkets Bio. The situation in a way changed since THE LITTLE GHOST LABAN came along, bringing with him a box BUFF - International Children office success. Now suddenly there is a growing interest in producing, and Youth Film Festival; Malmö, distributing and screening such 40-45 minute programs for the youngest audience. Sweden Young People´s Jury: „I Miss You” by That is why Folkets Bio decided to launch a new project in 2011: 6 brand-new short Anders Grönros, Sweden, 2010. film compilations, brought together under the flag of ‘Knattefilm’ c/o Folkets Bio, aka Swedish Church Award: „Spork” by J.B. as ‘Toddler Films’. The goal is to have 25 cinemas involved under this brand before Ghuman Jr., USA, 2010. the end of the year, branded and packaged with a pink monkey logo and special ECFA Award & City of Malmö’s Knattefilm trailers. Participating cinemas receive teasers, balloons and merchan- Children Film Award: „The Liverpool dising (like t-shirts and books, supplied by publishing companies) which they can Goalie”. whether sell or donate to the audience. County Council of Skåne Short Film Award: „Jenny” by Ingvild Søderlind, The ambition is to make the brand bigger (more well known) than individual titles. Norway, 2010. Children go to the cinema for Knattefilm c/o Folkets Bio, not to see one particular title. Sydsvenskan’s & BUFF’s Honorary In that way a permanent flow of films for a very specific audience is guaranteed. Award: Swedish directors Hanna Heil- born and David Aronowitsch. Titles for Knattefilm’s first 3 compilations are: ‘Marskatterna och leksaksbilen & www.buff.se Bulten’ (Marscats and the Toycar & The Bolt), ‘Här kommer Pino & Köttbullarna’ (Here comes Pino & Meatballs) and ‘Molly Monster’. (Rose-Marie Strand) Augsburger Kinderfilmfest; Augsburg, Germany Children’s Jury Award: “Der Himmel hat vier Ecken” by Klaus Wirbitzky, Germany 2011. Adults’ Jury: “Zoomers” by Christian E. Christiansen, Denmark, 2009. www.filmfest-augsburg.de

International Children’s Film Here comes Pino & Meatballs Festival; Lucknow, India Best Feature Film, 1st: “I am Kalam”; Initiatives for young Nordic filmmakers 2nd: “The Direction” by P.R. Ramadas In the Journal’s February issue, we announced national replacements for the Scan- Naidu, India, 2010. dinavian Dvoted project for young filmmakers. In April two Nordic online film com- Best Animated Film: “The Ugly Duck- munities were launched. The Norwegian Filmport.no was launched as a pilot project ling” by Garri Bardin, Russia, 2010. while the Finnish Kelaamo also runs as a beta version. Both platforms operate in www.cmsfilms.org/iecff their national languages and serve as a developing tool for young film talents, organ- isations and resource centers that are interested in communicating with young film- Sprockets - International Film makers. Both online features include discussion forums where filmmakers can show Festival for Children; Toronto, their films, share experiences and get some guidance in film production. Professional Canada filmmakers and others from the film industry will be available as mentors for Filmport Audience Choice Best Feature Film: „A users. Both Kelaamo and Filmport will be closely linked to regional film and resource Cat in Paris“ by Jean-Loup Felicioli & centers working with talent development. Alain Gagnol, France, 2010. Best Short Film: “The Gruffalo“ by Jakob Schuh & Filmport is supported by the Norwegian Film Institute. Kelaamo is supported by the Max Lang, UK, 2010. Ministry of Culture Education and managed by ECFA member Koulukino. Young People’s Jury: Best Feature Film: „Snowmen” by Robert Kirbyson, USA, 2009. Best Short Film: “The Gruf- falo“; Student Choice Award: „Finding Kind“ by Lauren Parsekian, USA, 2010. www.sprockets.ca

Ciné Jeune – Festival Interna- tional ; Saint-Quentin & Depart- ment of Aisne, France Prix de la ville de Saint-Quentin: “Tom- boy” by Céline Sciamma, France, 2011. ECFA-Award: “Tomboy” & “Hold Me Tight” by Kaspar Munk, Denmark, 2010. Young People’s Jury Grand Prix: “Themba – A Boy Called Hope” by Ste- fanie Sycholt, South Africa / Germany, 2010.

ECFA Journal No. 2 - 2011 - 4 - PRODUCTION NEWS The News Section: IN FOCUS: WHEN SANTA FELL TO EARTH Films, Festivals, Awards Short film Award: Animated film for Christmas still remains filmmakers’ number one favorite subject for serving the children -6: “Mouse for Sale” by Wouter young audience. Don’t they ever get tired of an old Santa pulled by eight reindeer Bongaerts, Belgium, 2010. Animated and jolly elves making toys at the North Pole? If you would appreciate a little film for children 7-11: “Ben Hora” by variation on the Santa Claus mythology, perhaps you can find it in WHEN SANTA Nicolas Bianco-Levrin & Julie Rem- FELL TO EARTH, a fresh take on how Santa gets to everyone in one night. Even bauville, France, 2010. Short Film for being a comedy with a crazy twist, in this film Santa is treated with all the re- young people 12+: “The Tuner” by spects required. When the Great Christmas Council has outlawed the old magical Olivier Treiner, France, 2010. ways, commanding all Santa’s to get rid of their elves and replace their reindeer www.cinejeune02.com with snowmobiles, young Santa Niklas Goodfellow joins forces with two kids, a dog and a pack of elves, to avoid that fate. The last thing Ben and Charlotte Reel 2 Real – International Film expected was a real Santa to fall from the sky in the middle of a thunderstorm and Festival for Youth; Vancouver, crash-landing in their neighbourhood. Canada WHEN SANTA FELL TO EARTH is currently in post-production. Based on a book Youth Jury Award (8+): “Eep!”, The by the internationally acclaimed author Cornelia Funke (the ‘Wild Chicks’-series, Netherlands, 2009. Inkheart…) the release of this € 6,5 million budget film is scheduled for November Youth Jury Award (13+): “The First 24th, 2011. It is the film’s ambition to make sure we don’t forget the ‘real’ Christ- Movie” by Mark Cousins, Canada / UK mas in the middle of a commercial hustle and bustle. / Iraq, 2009. Adult Jury Award: “7 or Why I exist” by Just like other Funke-adaptations WHEN SANTA FELL TO EARTH is produced Antje Starost & Hans Helmut Grotjahn, by Uschi Reich’s Bavaria Film and distributed by Constantin Film. The interna- Germany, 2010. Edith Lando Peace tional sales is handled by Sola Media, having quite some busy Prize: “One Big Hapa Family” by Jeff days coming up with the domestic Chiba Stearns, Canada, 2010. releases of LOTTE AND THE www.r2rfestival.org MOONSTONE SECRET in Estonia and FREDDY FROGFACE in Denmark, International Children’s Film both by the end of May. Festival (KICFF); Kristiansand, Norway Contact: [email protected] ECFA Jury & Film&Kino Jury: “Lost in www.sola-media.net Africa” by Vibeke Muasya, Denmark, 2010. FICC Jury’s Don Quixote Award: “Jit- © R. von der Heydt / Bavaria Filmverleih ters” by Balvin Z, Iceland, 2010. Audience Award: “The Magicians“. THE MONSTER OF NIX ‘The Monster of Nix’ is truly driven by www.kicff.no ‘The Monster of Nix’ by Dutch filmmaker music. “To my amazement, we recorded Rosto is a 30-minute long animated the score with some genuine musical International Festival of Ani- musical telling the story of a troubled heroes,” says Rosco, who composed mated Films, ‘Tricks for Kids’; boy fighting the destructive force of the music. Contributing to the score is Stuttgart, Germany an all-devouring monster in the village the Dutch Metropole Orkest, American Tricks for Kids Award: “Duck, Death of Nix. An existentialist dark fairy tale, eyeball art rockers The Residents and and the Tulip“ by Matthias Bruhn, Ger- compelling and visually overwhelming French indie band The Dø. Even more many, 2010. suitable for a 10-and-up audience. ‘The surprising names in the voice cast: Tom www.itfs.de Monster of Nix’ premieres at the Annecy Waits gave his raspy voice to Virgil, Animated Film Festival. a terrifying pitch-black swallow. “Tom International Short Film Festi- Waits was always the main inspiration val Oberhausen; Oberhausen, for the dark and theatrical appearance Germany of Virgil,” Rosto explains. “But I never Children’s Jury: „Mobile“ by Verena expected to actually have the privilege to Fels, Germany, 2010. work with him. The result is gobsmack- Youth Jury: “Little Children, Big Words“ ing...” And Terry Gilliam plays a ranger by Lisa James Larsson, Sweden, 2009. who locks himself up in terror in his for- www.kurzfilmtage.de est cabin. “He felt rather uncomfortable about the singing. And that’s exactly how Indie Junior; Lisboa, Portugal I wanted his character to sound: scared Best Feature Film: “My Good Enemy” and insecure. I made him suffer, but got by Oliver Ussing, Denmark, 2010. exactly what I wanted.” Audience Award: “Things you’d Better Check out the amazing visuals on Not Mix Up” by Joost Liewma, The www.monsterofnix.com. Netherlands, 2010. www.indielisboa.com Production: Studio Rosto (The Neth- erlands), Autour de Minuit (France) & CinéTé (Belgium). Sales: Autour de Minuit, +33 1 4281 1728, [email protected] or [email protected] (festival contacts), http://blog.autourdeminuit.com.

ECFA Journal No. 2 - 2011 - 5 - FESTIVALS & EVENTS skype session, before the streaming of The News Section: the opening film FUCHSIA THE MINI Forthcoming Festivals Call for documentaries WITCH. Also the entire short film com- for young people: doxs! petition was available on demand, with Showcomotion - Filmfestival for the young patients as a separate ‘jury- Children and Young People in-bed’, choosing ‘Mobile’ (Verena Fels, Sheffield, UKMay 20th to 29th 2011 Germany) as the award winning title. In www.showcomotion.org.uk total 157 children logged in to participate in the streaming of one or more short 51st International Festival for festival films. Due to the hospitals’ strict Children and Youth; Zlín, Czech policy on patients’ privacy, an intermedi- ary was needed in all the contacts with Republic In 2011 the well-established documen- May 29th to June 6th 2011 the young patients. Furthermore the tary film festival Duisburger Filmwoche www.zlinfest.cz target audience sometimes only stayed is taking place from 7-13 November. in the hospital for a couple of days. For 10 years now, with the festival sec- Animafest - World Festival of Those circumstances turned Bedfilmpret tion ‘doxs!’, the Duisburger Filmwoche is Animated Film; Zagreb, Croatia – more than the festival intended – into specifically aiming at a young audience. May 31st to June 5th 2011 a mainly receptive instead of a partici- It presents a selection of European www.animafest.hr pating event. documentaries for children and adoles- Int. Short Film Festival; cents aged 6-8. For filmmakers partici- The project was supported by Rambla, Children’s Film Festival pating in ‘Doxs!’ can be rewarding: the specialized in multimedia broadcast- “Mo&Friese”; Hamburg, Ger- Grosse Klappe Award now comes with a ing. Live streaming requires quite some many € 3.500 purse. The festival takes place technical and encoding expertise (for June 5th to 12th 2011 at the Duisburger Filmforum, where film- securing the films correctly). But the pro- www.moundfriese.de makers meet the audience for extensive ject’s unique and innovative character discussions. guaranteed the festival some national press covering and support from organi- Kids Festival; Sarajevo, Bosnia- On the occasion of this year’s anni- zations in the service industry. Herzegovina versary, the Federal Agency of Civic June 10th to 14th 2011 Education endows a prize for Political www.kidsfest.ba Documentary for Children and Youth Showcomotion for the first time – an amplification of its Plein la Bobine – Sancy Film continuing activities in media education, Festival for Young People; Mas- like teaching material and symposiums. sif du Sancy, La Bourboule & Le Doxs! therefore will award European Mont-Dore, France films promoting an aesthetical approach June 14th to 19th 2011 to documentary culture and the political www.pleinlabobine.com consciousness of children and adoles- cents. Further information, regulations In spite of the news that was spread Kinderfilmfest; München, and entry form can be found at: www. earlier, in fact the Showcomotion Young Germany do-xs.de/english.html. Preview copies People’s Film Festival, one of the June 24th to July 2nd 2011 can be sent in until June 16, 2011. largest and longest established of its www.filmfest-muenchen.de kind in the UK, will have a 2011 edition, Contact: Doxs/Duisburger Filmwoche, currently (20th - 29th May) running in c/o VHS Stadt Duisburg, Larissa International Youth Film Festival; the Showroom Cinema in Sheffield: two Braunöhler, Steinsche Gasse 31 weekends of public screening book-end- Espinho, Portugal D-47051 Duisburg; [email protected]. June 26th to July 3rd 2011 ing a week of school screenings. “The www.fest.pt festival has moved to slightly earlier in Antwerp festival serves the year and is more compact but aims International Youth Film Festival; young hospital patients to continue the legacy of quality that the name has been synonymous with Seoul, South Korea The European Youth Film Festival in in the past,” says programmer Joan July 7th to 13th 2011 Antwerp (Belgium) came with a brilliant Parsons. “We are really pleased to be www.siyff.com idea to serve a so far neglected festival opening with the brilliant RED DOG audience. Bedridden children in 9 Ant- (Kriv Stenders) and closing with Studio Cartoon Club – International werp hospitals could follow the festival Ghibly’s ARRIETY and we are extremely Festival of Animation Cinema live through the ‘on demand’ Bedfilmpret happy to be back.” and Comics; Rimini, Italy (Film in Bed) Project. July 8th to 30th 2011 Contact & info: Deadline for film entries: May 26th [email protected]; 2011 www.showcomotion.org.uk. www.cartoonclub.it Soon another event will be hosted in Sheffield as well: the CMC (the Chil- Film Festival; Giffoni, Italy dren’s Media Conference, 6th – 8th July July 12th to 21st 2011 2011) is the UK’s premier meeting place Deadline for film entries: June 7th 2011 for children’s content industries. Keynote www.giffoniff.it speaker is Lord Puttnam, a passionate Fuchsia The Mini Witch advocate of digital innovation in education. More info: In the opening ceremony one of the www.thechildrensmediaconference.com. hospitalised patients addressed the audience in the cinema through a live

ECFA Journal No. 2 - 2011 - 6 - FILMS ON THE HORIZON The News Section: New European films for children or young people which are ready to be Forthcoming Festivals discovered for your programmes. More information and more films can be found at www.ecfaweb.org. Producers, distributors and sales agents Lola Kenya Screen – Audiovisual are kindly invited to inform us of their new releases. Media Festival for Children and Youth; Nairobi, Kenya The Garbage Prince The Runway August 8th to 18th 2011 Feature Film, Finland & Norway 2011 www.lolakenyascreen.org Director: Raimo O Niemi Production: Periferia & Flimmer Film Norwegian International Filmfesti- World Sales: Periferia Productions Oy val - Children’s Film Fest; Hauge- 3. linja 5, 00530 Helsinki, Finland sund, Norway phone: ++358 40 541 29 22 August 17th to 26th 2011 E-Mail: [email protected] Deadline for film entries: June 5th 2011 www.periferiaproductions.fi www.filmfestivalen.no www.garbageprince.fi Feature Film, Ireland 2010 Director: Ian Power Nuevamirada – International Film Der Himmel hat vier Ecken Production: Fastnet Films Festival for Children and Youth; Feature Film, Germany 2011 World Sales: Six Sales, Alto de las Caba- Buenos Aires, Argentina Director: Klaus Wirbitzky ñas 5, Las Rozas, 28231 Madrid, Spain September 1st to 7th 2011 Production: Schneider + Groos Film phone: ++34 91 781 73 01 www.nuevamirada.com World Sales: Studio Hamburg Programme E-Mail: [email protected] www.6sales.es Jenfelder Allee 80, 22039 Hamburg, Ger- Lucas - International Children’s many, phone: ++49 40 66 88 5 110 www.poderosapictures.com E-Mail: [email protected] Film Festival; Frankfurt, Germany September 4th to 11th 2011 www.studio-hamburg.de 7 or Why I Exist www.lucasfilmfestival.de www.der-himmel-hat-vier-ecken.de AniFest ROZAFA; Shkoder, Lionel Feature Film, Switzerland 2011 Albania Director: Mohammed Soudani September 12th to 18th 2011 Production & World Sales: Amka Films Deadline for film entries: July 1st 2011 Productions SA,Via Sole 2, 6942 Savosa, www.anifestrozafa.com Switzerland, phone:++41 91 967 40 76 Documentary, Germany 2010 E-Mail: [email protected] Directors: Antje Starost & H.H. Grotjahn Buster - International Film Festival www.amka.ch, www.film-lionel.ch Production & World Sales: Starost Film for Children and Youth; Wielandstr. 42a, 12159 Berlin, Germany Copenhagen, Denmark The Magicians phone: ++49-30-852 32 62 September 15th to 25th 2011 Feature Film, The Netherlands 2010 E-Mail: [email protected] www.buster.dk Director: Joram Lürsen www.starostfilm.de,www.7oderwarumicha Production: IDTV Film ufderweltbin-derfilm.de Filmfest - Children’s and Youth World Sales: Delphis Films Inc. Film Festival “Michel”; Hamburg, 5455 De Gaspe Ave., Suite 803 Tomboy Germany Montreal, Quebec, H2T 3B3, Canada Feature Film, France 2011 September 29th to October 8th 2011 phone: ++1 514 843 33 55 Director: Céline Sciamma Deadline for film entries: July 31st 2011 E-Mail: [email protected] Production: Hold Up Films www.kinderfilmfest-hamburg.de www.delphisfilms.com World Sales: Films Distribution 20 rue St-Augustin, 75002 Paris, France More information on all these festivals My Grandfather, the Bankrobber phone: ++33 1 53 10 33 99 you will find on our website: Feature Film, The Netherlands 2011 E-Mail: [email protected] www.ecfaweb.org/ecfnet/festivals.php Director: Ineke Houtman www.filmsdistribution.com Production: Lemming Film World Sales: Delphis Films Inc. Vespa (address see above) Feature Film, Hungary 2010 Directors: Diana Groó The Strongest Man in Holland Production & World Sales: Tivoli-Film Feature Film, The Netherlands 2010 Döbrentei utca 20, 1013 Budapest, Hun- Director: Mark van de Cloe gary, phone: ++ 36 1 39 80 600 Production: NL Film E-Mail: [email protected] World Sales: Delphis Films Inc. www.tivolifilms.com Der Himmel hat vier Ecken (address see above) Winterdaughter On the Sly Feature Film, Germany & Poland 2011 Feature Film, Belgium, France 2011 Directors: Johannes Schmid Director: Olivier Ringer Production & World Sales: Schlicht und Production: Ring Prod ergreifend Film, Muellerstr. 35, 80469 World Sales: Delphis Films Inc. Munich, Germany (address see above) phone: ++49 89 28 67 31 31 E-Mail: info@schlichtundergreifend-film. de, www.schlichtundergreifend-film.de Winterdaughter

ECFA Journal No. 2 - 2011 - 7 -

ECFA NEWS ECFA’s Annual General Meeting promoted, but since a MEDIA applica- German Federal State of Thuringia. (AGM) in Berlin tion would require a substantial financial KIDS Regio is an initiative of Cine Re- investment from ECFA (€ 20 à 22.000) gio, the European Network of Regional The 2011 AGM during the Berlinale we have to face reality. Although ECFA’s Film Funding institutions and works as brought together at least 30 members call for help brought up many positive a supportive platform for the European of ECFA and a handful of observers. reactions, seldom concrete financial children’s film. First on the agenda was the election support could be guaranteed (except and installment of the new board. With in a few cases). However, we should regard this as a learning process and Eva Schwarzwald and Eszter Vuojala ECFA Awards leaving, Cecilia Grubb (BUFF, Malmö, therefore not lose the experience that was gathered. Sweden) and Celine Ravenel (Festival Films currently listed for the ECFA Ciné Jeune, Saint-Quentin, France) Award 2011: were elected as new board members. Adam Graham, Reinhold Schöffel and KIDS Regio meeting point - European Children and Youth Film Petr Koliha were confirmed as board in Malmö: Provocative & inspiring Festival Flanders (Antwerp / Bruges, members for the next 4 years. Belgium): WAYS TO LIVE FOREVER (Gustavo Ron, Spain / UK) Main topics of discussion were two projects ECFA is currently involved in: - BUFF (Malmö, Sweden): THE - RAINBOW - Rights Against INtoler- LIVERPOOL GOALIE (Arild Andresen, ance: Building an Open-minded World. Norway) ECFA partners this project granted by Together with the children’s film market the EU. Connecting European gay and BUFF Financing Forum and the regional - Festival International Ciné Jeune lesbian associations and media profes- Swedish fund Film i Skåne the KIDS de l’Aisne (Saint-Quentin, France): sionals, RAINBOW promotes the rights Regio organised a highly profiled praxis TOMBOY (Céline Sciamma, France) of children and young people to their workshop on new and experimental & HOLD ME TIGHT (Kaspar Munk, sexual orientation and identity. marketing and distribution strategies Denmark) for live action children’s films on March 16th 2011 in Malmö. The workshop was - International Children’s Film Festi- targeted to European producers, sales val (Kristiansand, Norway): LOST IN agents and distributors preparing a chil- AFRICA (Vibeke Muasya, Denmark) dren’s film project. Since recently discussion rose about With the tagline ‘Make your films visible what exactly matches the definition of and sticky!’ and under the guidance of ‘a European Film’, the board decided industry experts Tine Klint (LevelK) and to be more specific in the regulations Georg Miros (Projektorfilm) the partici- regarding co-productions and coun- pants developed in small groups innova- tries of origin. It was decided that films tive marketing and distribution concepts from Turkey are eligible and a final list Films will be compiled for the creation including all communication channels will be made up in ECFA’s next board of an educational tool kit, targeting and platforms, based on an existing meeting in Oulu, Finland. primary school children (aged 8-9) and children’s film as a case study. youngsters (12-15). The tool kit will be The workshop was preceded by a key- disseminated in all partnering countries note from Gary Pope, UK’s leading mar- and through children’s film festivals. keting expert in the area of children- and ECFA is responsible for finding films family entertainment, who shared some challenging homophobic stereotypes, valuable impulses with the audience. while others work on user manuals for With the proposition “children helping teachers. For finalising this film selec- you to choose” he emphasised the work- tion Bundesverband Jugend und Film shop’s topic, combining in his presen- delivered a website where one can tation scientific theories on children’s enter and / or comment film titles. For development stages, pyramids of learn- the youngest age group the films will ing and divergent thinking structures. The Liverpool Goalie not focus on the theme of homosexual- Gary Pope highlighted that for children ity, but will speak more in general about the identification with archetypes and diversity, being different, etc... the humor within a story are core issues and must be given prior attention in a The project will be available in 6 lan- successful marketing strategy. guages, defined by the partnering countries: Italian, German, English, Spanish, The participant’s conclusion: KIDS Bulgarian and Dutch. Regio meeting point 2011 was “provoca- All info on: http://rainbow.ecfa.info/ tive, inspiring and enlightening.” (Viola Gabrielli) ECFA’s & KIDS Regio’s Children’s Film Forum: Bringing the Talents Together. KIDS Regio meeting point 2011 @ The main goal was to create an online BUFF:FF was an initiative of Film Ways To Live Forever forum where professionals could meet i Skåne in cooperation with Mittel- and new projects could be launched or deutschen Medienförderung and the

ECFA Journal No. 2 - 2011 - 9 - FILM IN THE FOCUS ANNE SEWITSKY’S TOTALLY TRUE LOVE “Some children are popular, others just don’t bother” One of the most eagerly awaited titles in this year’s Berlinale was TOTALLY TRUE LOVE by ECFA Journal Anne Sewitsky (Norway). The story about first and / or true love strikes the eye for its original Published by ECFA viewpoint and its drastic choices, and for a European Children’s Film Association young director’s undeniable talent. Rue du Pavillon 3 NEW ADDRESS! B-1030 Bruxelles Anne states that “at my age love isn’t Anne’s classmate is supposed to be a Phone: +32 (0)2 242 54 09 so important”. That turns out not to be ‘perfect princess’. Is it easy to be perfect? Fax: +32 (0)2 242 74 27 the whole truth. Sewitsky: “The mother puts an awful lot of E-mail: [email protected] Anne Sewitsky: “For some children it is pressure on her daughter’s shoulders, while www.ecfaweb.org important, others don’t think about it yet. Ellen just wants to be like other girls. She’s But when the feeling is there, it might be been taught that looks are the most important Please send press releases, advertise- even more intense than for grown-ups, in life.” ments, questions & information to who often have become a bit cynical While Anne’s confidence is undermined by Jekino - Gert Hermans about love. Those are very real feelings.” doubts about her appearance. See address above Anne is a bit of a ‘weirdo’. In a way Sewitsky: “Anne seems a very strong girl but E-mail: [email protected] she makes it look cool to be different. turns out to be just as vulnerable as all the Sewitsky: “That’s how life is: some others. All girls share the same insecurities. Contributors to this issue: children are so popular in class, others Anne was never worried about being different, Tonje Hardersen, Adam Graham, just don’t bother about it at all. Anne until she comes in a certain situation where Reinhold Schöffel, Felix Vanginder- enjoys being a bit different than others. she wants to adapt to the others and realizes huysen, Viola Gabrielli Rose-Marie But when she meets Jorgen, suddenly she doesn’t know how to do it. That is the Strand, Kristof De Win, Joram Lürsen, it becomes very important for her to be story of finding your place in a bigger group, Solveig Langeland, Willem Thijssen, noticed and be normal. She was always in society. She even asks her grandmother: Joan Parsons, Mieke Vanderhaeghen, quite satisfied with whom she was, but ‘Am I beautiful?’ Grandmother tells her: Iris Verhoeven, Daniel Hermsdorf, Anne now she starts questioning everything.” ‘When growing older, you become more and Sewitsky, Martin Pasma. more like anyone else. But don’t give it all up! Corrector: Adam Graham She’s kind of a tomboy, but still very Beware to keep a bit of the things alive that Design: Sam Geuens & Marc Henneco feminine. make you who you really are’.” ECFA website: Udo Lange Sewitsky: “In the book the film is based upon Anne is much more of a tomboy. For such a film the casting is crucial. ECFA’s goal is to support cinema But when casting Maria Annette Tand- Sewitsky: “It was a long process that started for children and youth in its cultural, erød Berglyd, it turned out she had a lot more than a year before the shooting. But the economical, aesthetic, social, political more sensitivities to add to the complex- moment Anne walked into the room, I knew and educational aspects. ECFA since ity of her character. Just like in my short it was her, combining all the required assets: 1988 brings together a wide range of ‘Oh My God’ and in HAPPY, HAPPY, the a bit boyish and odd, but also vulnerable and European film professionals and asso- main characters have a strong feminine with the right energy.” ciations, producers, directors, distribu- side. I guess that’s how I tell my stories. tors. ECFA aims to set up a working In TOTALLY TRUE LOVE the scriptwriter, You weren’t afraid to mix strong realism structure in every European country for the DOP, the producer, etc. were all with the dreamy sequences telling the films for children and young people, a women. That’s how things turned out.” story of Helga, a girl who died years ago in structure adapted to Europe’s multicul- a bloodshed love tragedy. tural interests. What did you do to picture your char- Sewitsky: “That was often discussed. If acters so ‘real’? Helga’s scenes were too concrete, they would For more information and memberships Sewitsky: “I stimulated them to adjust conflict with Anne’s story. Most important for (€ 200 per year): their roles to bring them closer to their these scenes was their ‘essence’, in a David- ECFA true personality, and combined it with a Lynch-kind-of-way. I saw ‘Twin Peaks’ when European Children’s Film Association rather strict way of directing. I didn’t have I was 10, too young to understand the story, much experience with young children but I still remember the atmosphere.” Phone: +32 (0)2 242 54 09 E-mail: [email protected] and wasn’t certain how to approach them. Soon I found out that since they Helga’s story suddenly brings death and www.ecfaweb.org have to work really hard and by the end disaster into the film. Sewitsky: “Those scenes strengthen Anne’s of the day they have to ‘deliver’, it’s The European Children’s Film Distribu- feelings throughout the whole story. Not by easier to treat them as grown-up actors.” tion Network: making it more childish, but by making it more www.ecfaweb.org/network.htm dark and serious. Romantic love stories about You even had to work with a large Databases on children’s film festivals, life and death is what Anne identifies with. group of children. How was that? sales agents, distributors and TV-pro- Most scenes were shot with a brand-new Sewitsky: “You know what to expect grammers interested in European films Alexa camera – we were the first to use that when you ask for a bunch of ‘special for children. type of camera. Now Lars von Trier has used kids’. They were funny and lively but they them for his new film. But the Helga-scenes could be extremely noisy and had con- were shot on 16 mm and blown up for giving centration problems. All those children them a totally different look.” (GH) together were hard to keep in control and quite often they made me really angry.”

ECFA Journal No. 2 - 2011 - 10 -