Dragon Princess (2021)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Children’s Category
Directed by: Anthony Roux, Jean-Jacques Denis
France, 2021, 74 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 2
Score:
Once upon a time, there was a dragon that lived in a cave full of gold. The cave was well hidden from people, whom the mighty dragon hated from the bottom of his soul. The treasure was his joy and pleasure, but he had no one to share it with. That's why he went to a witch for help. He wanted some offspring. The witch was happy to help him, but she had one condition: If he gets angry, the witch will come for his second favorite thing. The dragon agrees to this stupid condition, and he gets eggs which hatch 3 dragon offspring. One of them looks like a human girl. The dragon names her Bristle. She grows up next to her dragon siblings and enjoys the love of her dragon father, whom she loves unconditionally. When she saves the life of a princess from the castle in the forest, the dragon gets angry, the witch comes, and Bristle learns that she is the dragon’s second favorite thing. She decides to leave her father and enters the world of people, experiencing not only anger and resentment, but also friendship and solidarity.
Maika (2022)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Children’s Category
Directed by: Ham Tran
Vietnam, 2022, 105 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 4
Score:
Things could be better for 8-year-old Hung, who is grieving the loss of his mother, who died a year ago. His relationship with his father is strained, his best friend is moving away, and to top it all off, a greedy landlord is bullying his father to force them out of their apartment. He finds solace by watching the night sky from the roof of his apartment building. One night, he witnesses a meteor shower and an errant falling star that lands in the nearby countryside. He investigates, but instead of finding a fallen star, he meets a new friend, and he decides to do everything he can to help her. MAIKA is inspired by the 1978 children’s TV show "Spadla z oblakov" that became extremely popular on constant reruns in Vietnam in the early '90s. With gorgeous scenery, a fast-paced narrative, and charismatic performances, this Vietnamese sci-fi film for kids is a fun-filled adventure that touches on universal themes of friendship, family, and compassion.
Moonbound (2021)
Section: World Childrens Film Panorama
Directed by: Ali Samadi Ahadi
Germany, Austria, 2021, 85 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 1
Score:
Sometimes it's better to listen to your sister! When Peter finds out one night that his younger sister Anna has disappeared, he realizes that her story about a talking bug was not made up. Anna was abducted by the evil Moon Man when she tried to help a bug, Mr. Zoomzeman. To save her, Peter must go to the moon. During his incredible adventure he must take part in a space race and get help for the festivities hosted by the Night Fairy at her castle in the clouds.
The Seekers: Thrill Night (2021)
Section: World Childrens Film Panorama
Directed by: Philip Th. Pedersen
Denmark, 2021, 87 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 3
Score:
On Halloween, estranged friends Asger and Esther are forced by their parents to celebrate it together. But when Asger’s sister Petra disappears without a trace, the two must work together to rescue a kidnapped sister, while Petra herself battles the thieves that took her.
My Brothers Dream Awake (2021)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Youth Category
Directed by: Claudia Huaiquimilla
Chile, 2021, 85 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 5
Score:
Ángel and his younger brother Franco have been incarcerated in a juvenile prison for a year. Despite the difficulties, they have formed a solid group of friends with whom they spend their days sharing dreams of freedom. Everything changes when the arrival of a rebellious young man offers a possible escape: the only door to make those dreams come true. Inspired by many true events.