Martin and the Magical Forest (2021)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Children’s Category
Directed by: Petr Oukropec
Czech Republic, Germany, Slovak Republic, 2021, 80 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 2
Score:
Martin (or "Mazel") is addicted to his phone; nature and the forest are anathema to him. He has to go to a camp in the woods where phones are forbidden; he's never experienced anything like it. There’s a big camp game every team wants to win, but Mazel lacks the skills to win. One night, he discovers that the forest is full of mysterious magical creatures and the forest creatures need a few of Mazel's things in order stop the nearby miners and their test drillings. Helping Mazel, they turn him into an experienced woodsman, leading his team to victory. But it is not advisable to play too much with ancient forest creatures; water disappears from the forest, tensions with the miners grows, and people become suspicious of Mazel. An inconspicuous camp adventure leads to a finale where the fighting creatures of the forest stop hiding.
Even Mice Belong to Heaven (2021)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Children’s Category
Directed by: Denisa Grimmová, Jan Bubeníček
Czech Republic, France, Poland, Slovak Republic, 2021, 87 min
Projection place: Kongresové centrum
Score:
Two enemies, the mouse Šupito and the fox Bělobřich, meet again (reluctantly) in the animal afterlife after an unfortunate event. With the absence of natural instincts and the unusual distance from earthly things, a friendly bond develops between them over time. Their desire to stay friends forever is fulfilled even after returning to earth, where they are inadvertently born in exchanged roles. Friendship can overcome even the seemingly impossible.
Marona´s Fantastic Tale (2019)
Section: Panorama
Directed by: Anca Damian
Belgium, France, Romania, 2019, 92 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 2
Score:
The victim of an accident, a small female dog remembers the different masters she has unconditionally loved. With her unfailing empathy, Marona has brought lightness and innocence to each of the homes she has lived in.
Kids are Fine (2021)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Children’s Category
Directed by: Ji Won LEE
South Korea, 2021, 108 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 6
Score:
With an ailing mother and a very busy father, Da-yi is used to doing everything by himself. His family moves closer to his mother’s hospital so Da-yi can visit his mother every day. Though in a new neighborhood and school, Da-yi does not feel lonely as long as he is with his mother. He visits his mother every day to spend time with her. Gradually adjusting to his new school, Da-yi becomes best friends with his classmates Yu-jin and Min-ho. As he spends more time with his friends, he spends less time thinking about his mother. However, when his mother’s condition worsens and she is transferred to a faraway hospital, Da-yi gets worried that he may never see her again and heads out on the search with his friends.
Mission Ulja Funk (2021)
Section: Panorama
Directed by: Barbara Kronenberg
Germany, Luxembourg, Poland, 2021, 90 min
Projection place: Kongresové centrum
Score:
When Ulja (12) is prevented from pursuing her passion, astronomy, she decides to take matters into her own hands. With a stolen hearse and a 13-year-old classmate as a driver, she makes her way across Eastern Europe to watch the impact of an asteroid. In doing so, she not only has to shake off her persecutors, but also her pragmatic view of friendship and family.
Dragon Girl (2020)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Children’s Category
Directed by: Katarina Launing
Norway, Netherlands, Czech Republic, 2020, 82 min
Projection place: Kongresové centrum
Score:
Christmas is just around the corner in the little village Borington and everyone is preparing for the holidays – everyone except for 10-year-old refugee Sara. Afraid of having to leave the country, she constantly hides from the police and takes refuge in vacant houses. One day, everything changes when she has an incredible encounter. A shy animal has lost its way and crashes into the very same house. She can hardly believe her own eyes when she realizes it is a dragon. When the aspiring YouTube star Mortimer (10) comes to his neighbor’s house and finds them, Sara and her new friend seem to be in danger… Can the three outsiders overcome their fears and team up?
Twigson and the Sea Monster (2020)
Section: Panorama
Directed by: Tove Undheim
Norway, 2020, 71 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 2
Score:
The new adventures of Twigson and Junior. This time, they travel on holiday with Aunt Thea to Summer Island where they make a new friend, Eddy. It is rumored that a sea worm has been observed in the fjord, and it will not be long before the energetic sea worm expert Blegen shows up, with his strange devices and instruments. It will be an exciting summer holiday with friendship put to the test in the hunt for the mysterious sea worm.
Spaceboy (2020)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Children’s Category
Directed by: Olivier Pairoux
Belgium, 2020, 100 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 4
Score:
Arriving in a new town with his dad, Jim, a gifted 11-year-old boy, has to participate in a young scientist competition with his new classmate Emma. Jim convinces her to secretly build a real air balloon. Pursuing his father’s dream of going to space, Jim drags her into an adventure which brings them closer.
Night Forest (2021)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Junior Category
Directed by: Andre Hörmann
Germany, 2021, 96 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 5
Score:
Paul and Max are best buddies. On the first day of their summer vacation, they sneak out of their homes and venture into the green wilderness that surrounds their little mountain village. They are on a mission to find a legendary cave hidden somewhere in the mountains. The boys follow the traces of Paul’s missing father Thomas, who is seen as a madman by everyone in the village. To find the path to the cave, the boys must decrypt Thomas' notes about an ancient local tale. Alone in the woods, both boys experience a newfound sense of freedom and light-heartedness. As they blaze their trails through the deep forest and steep mountains, the runaways face challenges far greater than they had imagined, leading them to face their greatest fears and discover more about each other and their very different home lives.
Poly (2020)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Children’s Category
Directed by: Nicolas Vanier
France, 2020, 92 min
Projection place: Kongresové centrum
Score:
Ten-year-old Cécile has a hard time adapting to life in the village her mother, which she has just returned to. The arrival of a travelling circus finally offers her some distraction. Everyone rushes to see Poly, the flagship pony. When Cécile finds out its owner Brancalou mistreats the animal, she saves Poly! Hiding her new pony friend from the adults, Cecile finds unexpected allies in the mysterious Victor and the kids of the village. With Brancalou on their tracks, Cecile and Poly embark on an adventure full of danger and surprises...
The Wolf and the Lion (2021)
Section: Panorama
Directed by: Gilles de Maistre
France, 2021, 99 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 1
Score:
After her grandfather’s death, 20-year-old Alma decides to go back to her childhood home – a little island in the heart of the majestic Canadian forest. Whilst there, she rescues two helpless cubs: a wolf and a lion. They forge an inseparable bond, but their world soon collapses as the forest ranger discovers the animals and takes them away. The two cub brothers must now embark on a treacherous journey across Canada to be reunited with one another and Alma once more.
Dragon Girl (2020)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Children’s Category
Directed by: Katarina Launing
Norway, Netherlands, Czech Republic, 2020, 82 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 5
Score:
Christmas is just around the corner in the little village Borington and everyone is preparing for the holidays – everyone except for 10-year-old refugee Sara. Afraid of having to leave the country, she constantly hides from the police and takes refuge in vacant houses. One day, everything changes when she has an incredible encounter. A shy animal has lost its way and crashes into the very same house. She can hardly believe her own eyes when she realizes it is a dragon. When the aspiring YouTube star Mortimer (10) comes to his neighbor’s house and finds them, Sara and her new friend seem to be in danger… Can the three outsiders overcome their fears and team up?
A Colourful Dream (2020)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Junior Category
Directed by: Jan Balej
Czech Republic, 2020, 74 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 6
Score:
A humourous adventure story dealing with the timeless theme of the conflict between unlimited power and the desire for freedom, bravery, and love. A group of street performers arrives on an island, where there is an omnipotent ruler and strict police order. A botched cannon shot during their performance triggers a number of unexpected events. Outnumbered, the young man Drin, girl Tuvi, and seagull Natan must battle against a totalitarian power. The duel will ultimately change the fates of all the inhabitants of the Island – humans and seagulls.
The Sleeping City (2021)
Section: New Czech Films and TV Programmes
Directed by: Dan Svátek
Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, 2021, 94 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 2
Score:
Four siblings, the oldest Kryštof, twins Ema and Kristýna, and little Samuel, live happily in a happy family. But one morning they wake up in a strange situation. Their parents cannot be woken and the kids suddenly have to cope on their own. They soon realize that parents all over the world have fallen asleep. What's worse, little Samuel is kidnapped! For the siblings, a daily struggle begins, in which the strong and clever win against the cunning and ruthless.
Martin and the Magical Forest (2021)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Children’s Category
Directed by: Petr Oukropec
Czech Republic, Germany, Slovak Republic, 2021, 80 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 5
Score:
Martin (or "Mazel") is addicted to his phone; nature and the forest are anathema to him. He has to go to a camp in the woods where phones are forbidden; he's never experienced anything like it. There’s a big camp game every team wants to win, but Mazel lacks the skills to win. One night, he discovers that the forest is full of mysterious magical creatures and the forest creatures need a few of Mazel's things in order stop the nearby miners and their test drillings. Helping Mazel, they turn him into an experienced woodsman, leading his team to victory. But it is not advisable to play too much with ancient forest creatures; water disappears from the forest, tensions with the miners grows, and people become suspicious of Mazel. An inconspicuous camp adventure leads to a finale where the fighting creatures of the forest stop hiding.
Great Adventure of the Lucky Four (2019)
Section: Literature in Film - The Club of Heroes
Directed by: Michal Žabka
Czech Republic, 2019, 72 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 1
Score:
Four friends live in a small house on the edge of TYeskoprsk. Fifinka, Pinďa, Bobík and Myapulín recall the adventures they experienced the past year over a campfire. Each of them tells a story that he considers to the best. With Pinďa we'll hear about a hilarious climbing trip up Devil's Thumb, with Myapulín, a search for a cruel Werewolf; with Bobík, a fantastic journey into space; and with Fifinka, a visit to some little devils at Christmas. Whose story will be the most beautiful?
Ruby Red (2013)
Section: Literature in Film - Young Academy
Directed by: Felix Fuchssteiner
Germany, 2013, 122 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 2
Score:
Gwendolyn Shepherd (16) is from a family shrouded in many secrets. These involve a special gene that allows you to travel through time. No one doubts that her cousin Charlotte has it. When Gwen suddenly finds herself in London at the end of the 19th century, she discovers that she has it. To clarify the greatest secret of her family history, she makes friends with Charlotte's friend Gideon of Villiers. She thus learns that it is not good to fall in love with someone in another time...
Poly (2020)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Children’s Category
Directed by: Nicolas Vanier
France, 2020, 92 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 3
Score:
Ten-year-old Cécile has a hard time adapting to life in the village her mother, which she has just returned to. The arrival of a travelling circus finally offers her some distraction. Everyone rushes to see Poly, the flagship pony. When Cécile finds out its owner Brancalou mistreats the animal, she saves Poly! Hiding her new pony friend from the adults, Cecile finds unexpected allies in the mysterious Victor and the kids of the village. With Brancalou on their tracks, Cecile and Poly embark on an adventure full of danger and surprises...
The Crossing (2021)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Youth Category
Directed by: Florence Miailhe
France, Czech Republic, Germany, 2021, 83 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 5
Score:
The story, inspired by the fate of the author's family from an area of Jewish settlements in Russia in the past, follows the vicissitudes of an adventurous and dramatic journey of two children, Kyona and her brother Adriel. They flee across half the world from the hatred and persecution of a repressive government, representing a generic type of totalitarian regime in the 20th century. The sensitive and engaging depiction of the path to adolescence in a comprehensible form tells the fate of the victims trapped under fascism, the Holocaust, and communism; its style may remotely recall Dickens' Oliver Twist or some great novels of 19th century literature. It is also a parable about a person striving for freedom and hope, but who must withstand the difficult trials on the painful path that ultimately leads to them.
Kids are Fine (2021)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Children’s Category
Directed by: Ji Won LEE
South Korea, 2021, 108 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 2
Score:
With an ailing mother and a very busy father, Da-yi is used to doing everything by himself. His family moves closer to his mother’s hospital so Da-yi can visit his mother every day. Though in a new neighborhood and school, Da-yi does not feel lonely as long as he is with his mother. He visits his mother every day to spend time with her. Gradually adjusting to his new school, Da-yi becomes best friends with his classmates Yu-jin and Min-ho. As he spends more time with his friends, he spends less time thinking about his mother. However, when his mother’s condition worsens and she is transferred to a faraway hospital, Da-yi gets worried that he may never see her again and heads out on the search with his friends.