Foto: Mads Nielsen/Fabel Media
- We have shown 83 films from 42 countries this year and had several strong competition programmes. We are very proud to be able to present so many worthy winners, says festival manager Cathrine Sordal.
The 27th edition of the Kristiansand International Children's Film Festival has awarded a total of 10 film awards this year.
- I would like to thank all our great juries who have made a huge effort, and of course to our engaged audience who have voted for their favourite, says Sordal.
The winners are:
The Kristiansand International Children's Film Festival and Zefyr Media Fund's pitch prize were chosen by a separate pitch jury. The prize money of NOK. 100,000 is provided by Zefyr Media Fund.
The winner of best pitch is:
MOUNTED GAMES - Karen Houge.
Best Norwegian short film was awarded by the the Kristiansand International Children's Film Festival professional jury. The film will also be shortlisted for a nomination for the Amanda award.
The winner of best Norwegian short film is:
WARRIOR HEART - Marianne Ulrichsen
The jury said this about this year's winner:
A moving story about the fine, but demanding art of turning negative life experiences into positive and lasting change. Imagery, sound and music contribute to a striking subjectivity. This subjectivity also derives from a well written script. This is economical storytelling at its finest, inviting the audience to become co-authors - based on carefully chosen dramatic snapshots from a traumatic period in our young main character's life. The acting represented by both children and adults in the film is a testament to both on screen - talent and skilled direction. And the end note of both change and hope is as believable as it is beautiful.
Best international feature film was awarded by the Kristiansand International Children's Film Festival´s professional jury. The price is NOK 50,000, which goes to the distributor who imports the film and screens it in cinemas in Norway.
The winner of Best International Feature Film is:
HELLO FROM MARS – Sarah Winkenstette
The jury said this about this year's winner:
A small step for someone and a giant leap for another.
Our protagonist has his cosmos organised down to hours, minutes, colors and strategies in order to merely survive.. The strategies are included in the rest of the family’s everyday life, until a smaller catastrophy occurs. A new world has to be conquered, a summer at the grandparents is as weird as going to Mars. But our hero boldly takes on the quest and with some complex calculations of the solar systems he reaches the outer space as well as a new microcosmos.
A film that salutes the power of fantasy and the uniqueness of everyone.
Honorable mention
United we stand divided we fall.
A great and authentic story where everyone is needed to reach the common goal cheered on by 650 kids. Mona and her friends win the championship and get the school back on track.
Honorable mention to Winners / Ziegel Zein by Soleen Yusuf.
Best European feature film for children was awarded by the ECFA jury, (European Children's Film Association). The winning film will be nominated to take part in the selection of the year's best feature film for children in Europe, during the prestigious film festival in Berlin.
The winner of the ECFA Award for Best European Feature Film for Children is:
GREETINGS FROM MARCH – Sarah Winkenstette
The jury said this about this year's winner:
The winning film deals with the important topic of how to integrate diversity into real life, done in an appealing and accessible way. It serves the audience a wide range of emotions, from laughter to tears. All the characters are going through a process, and there's a beautiful cooperation between the family members. Even if we sometimes seem to come from different planets, we can still communicate and stay close to each other.
The children's jury award for Best International Short Film was handed out by a local children's jury from Kristiansand International School.
The winner of best international short film is:
LEAP OF FAITH - Martina Doll, Anaïs Dos, Coline Reverbel, Kenzo Talma, Edgar Vernier, Lisa Vlain
The jury said this about this year's winner:
The winning film has everything you need in a great short film.
It made the jury laugh, sympathise, and relate all at the same time.
The movie’s plot was good; a girl falls in love with a cute boy, but she is constantly interrupted by her little brother who wants to play with her.
We understood the film without the characters having to talk.
And it was very easy to understand who the characters were and their personalities.
The children's jury award for Best International Feature Film was awarded by a local children's jury from Kristiansand International School.
The winner of Best International Feature Film is:
LIONESS – Raymond Grimbergen
The jury said this about this year's winner:
The film we have chosen was a clear winner as soon as it started!
It was funny, emotional, relatable, and exciting in all the best ways.
The film also kind of motivates you in a way, not only to play football but to do many things and be confident.
We loved how the friendships developed. And how the rivalries developed as well!
The plot was unpredictable and distinctive. It was like riding a rollercoaster with blindfolds, completely different from any other ride you’ve tried, fun and you never know what's next.
The youth jury's award for Best Short Film was chosen by a local youth jury from Tangen high school, and went to the best short film in the youth program.
The winner of the YOUNG short film is:
HEALER – Mackenzie Leigh
The jury said this about this year's winner:
The short film Healer shows us the danger of parental pressure and of the imagination. The main character has a parasocial relationship with her dead sister whose death she couldn't come to terms with. In her mind she imagines a world in which they grew up together, and stuck together. It includes the viewer through relatability, today many struggle with a voice in your head that pushes you down and makes you doubt yourself.
The youth jury's award for Best Feature Film was chosen by a local youth jury from Tangen School, and went to best feature film in the youth programme.
The winner of YOUTH feature film is:
WHEN FUCKING SPRING IS IN THE AIR - Danyael Sugawara
The jury said this about this year's winner:
The movie When Fucking Spring Is in the Air was an incredibly unpredictable film - in a good way - and it had us on the edge of our seats. One of the main reasons why we chose this film was because of its relatability to the youth. The movie shows how Kasia, the main character, deals with family, relationship and financial problems at the same time of being pregnant.
The audience award was voted for by the audience throughout the festival week. The prize, the large Golden Egg, was awarded to this year's audience favourite by Kristiansand Zoo.
The winner of Kristiansand International Children's Film Festival´s audience award is:
VICTORIA MUST GO - Gunnbjörg Gunnarsdottir