Journey to Yourland (2022)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Children’s Category
Directed by: Peter Budinský
Slovak Republic, Czech Republic, Belgium, 2022, 85 min
Projection place: Congress Centre
Score:
Riki, a 10-year-old boy, runs away from home following a mysterious emergency signal sent by a shiny stone. The strange artefact leads Riki to a breathtaking parallel world called Yourland, where wonderful machines roam golden deserts, monkeys and ravens talk, and science peacefully coexists with nature. The shining stone merges with Riki by hiding in his heart and asking him for protection. It seems everybody in Yourland is eager to procure this treasure, as it is the core of Yourland’s power and owning it provides a great deal of influence. Riki embarks on an enchanting journey full of perils, traps and humour to restore the stone, the “Heart of a Tower”, to its nesting place. It is the only way for Riki to get back home and save his own heart.
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 2
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.
Asteroid (2021)
Section: World Childrens Film Panorama
Directed by: Mehdi Hoseinivand Aalipour
Iran, 2021, 78 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 4
Score:
Ebrahim is twelve. He lives with his mother and five siblings of all ages in a two-roomed shack in the heart of desert, far away from the village. Aside from feeding the children and obtaining a birth certificate for them, the main preoccupation of Ebrahim and his mother is to build a house in the village so they don’t have to walk all the way back and forth all the time…
Tales of Franz (2022)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Children’s Category
Directed by: Johannes Schmid
Austria, Germany, 2022, 78 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 1
Score:
When Franz discovers the influencer Hank Haber, his two best friends Gabi and Eduard are at first skeptical. But Franz, as the smallest in class, with his unpredictable beeping voice, is very much up for any kind of advice! In addition to his teacher Zick Zack, the queen of the class Elfi is causing him recently headaches. Franz realizes that the seemingly simple path does not lead to the goal when Gabi is suddenly gone. Even his mom and dad are at a loss, and the parents of Gabi anyway. So Franz and Eduard set off on an adventurous search all by themselves – bypassing the terrifying Mrs. Berger - in the end the trio finds again what they thought they had lost: the biggest friendship that can be found in the world. Family movie based on motifs from the book series by the famous Austrian writer Christine Nöstlinger.
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 3
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.
Boney Piles (2022)
Section: Competition of European Documentary Films for Young Audience
Directed by: Taras Tomenko
Ukraine, 2022, 80 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 5
Score:
On New Year's Eve, Nastya was six years old when their house was bombed by the Russian army. For her and other children, war became a daily reality. To return to normal life, Nastya needs the help of a psychologist; she suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. But she does not give up on her dreams; like every girl, she wants a big house, a pet, and an education. This painfully recent Ukrainian film shows children in the Donetsk region. Every morning they must wade through the mountains of ruins and bombed out buildings. These rubble heaps are not only where the film takes place, but also a symbol of the used up and abandoned human lives. The documentary premiered at the Berlinale just before the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. At that time, official statistics showed 10,000 children living in the war zone…
Tales of Franz (2022)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Children’s Category
Directed by: Johannes Schmid
Austria, Germany, 2022, 78 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 4
Score:
When Franz discovers the influencer Hank Haber, his two best friends Gabi and Eduard are at first skeptical. But Franz, as the smallest in class, with his unpredictable beeping voice, is very much up for any kind of advice! In addition to his teacher Zick Zack, the queen of the class Elfi is causing him recently headaches. Franz realizes that the seemingly simple path does not lead to the goal when Gabi is suddenly gone. Even his mom and dad are at a loss, and the parents of Gabi anyway. So Franz and Eduard set off on an adventurous search all by themselves – bypassing the terrifying Mrs. Berger - in the end the trio finds again what they thought they had lost: the biggest friendship that can be found in the world. Family movie based on motifs from the book series by the famous Austrian writer Christine Nöstlinger.
Journey to Yourland (2022)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Children’s Category
Directed by: Peter Budinský
Slovak Republic, Czech Republic, Belgium, 2022, 85 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 1
Score:
Riki, a 10-year-old boy, runs away from home following a mysterious emergency signal sent by a shiny stone. The strange artefact leads Riki to a breathtaking parallel world called Yourland, where wonderful machines roam golden deserts, monkeys and ravens talk, and science peacefully coexists with nature. The shining stone merges with Riki by hiding in his heart and asking him for protection. It seems everybody in Yourland is eager to procure this treasure, as it is the core of Yourland’s power and owning it provides a great deal of influence. Riki embarks on an enchanting journey full of perils, traps and humour to restore the stone, the “Heart of a Tower”, to its nesting place. It is the only way for Riki to get back home and save his own heart.
How I Learned to Fly (2022)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Children’s Category
Directed by: Radivoje Andrec
Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Slovak Republic, 2022, 85 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 2
Score:
Adventurous and funny Sofija is forced to spend her vacation with her overbearing grandmother Maria, on an island in Croatia. It’s not the ideal summer experience she had hoped for, but with the help of her warmhearted old aunt Luce and her charming cousin, Sofija overcomes her initial boredom. She makes new friends and together they explore everything the summer on the island has to offer: sparkling sun, fun in the water, lots of ice cream, and her first kiss. But her carefree time comes to an abrupt end when beloved Luce has to be taken to hospital, leaving Sofija with a pair of family members she’d never met. Nevertheless, in the wake of tragedy, the family overcomes old traumas and when Sofija returns home, she realizes that revealing painful secrets is challenging but very liberating.
How I Learned to Fly (2022)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Children’s Category
Directed by: Radivoje Andrec
Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Slovak Republic, 2022, 85 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 1
Score:
Adventurous and funny Sofija is forced to spend her vacation with her overbearing grandmother Maria, on an island in Croatia. It’s not the ideal summer experience she had hoped for, but with the help of her warmhearted old aunt Luce and her charming cousin, Sofija overcomes her initial boredom. She makes new friends and together they explore everything the summer on the island has to offer: sparkling sun, fun in the water, lots of ice cream, and her first kiss. But her carefree time comes to an abrupt end when beloved Luce has to be taken to hospital, leaving Sofija with a pair of family members she’d never met. Nevertheless, in the wake of tragedy, the family overcomes old traumas and when Sofija returns home, she realizes that revealing painful secrets is challenging but very liberating.
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 1
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.
Tales of Franz (2022)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Children’s Category
Directed by: Johannes Schmid
Austria, Germany, 2022, 78 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 3
Score:
When Franz discovers the influencer Hank Haber, his two best friends Gabi and Eduard are at first skeptical. But Franz, as the smallest in class, with his unpredictable beeping voice, is very much up for any kind of advice! In addition to his teacher Zick Zack, the queen of the class Elfi is causing him recently headaches. Franz realizes that the seemingly simple path does not lead to the goal when Gabi is suddenly gone. Even his mom and dad are at a loss, and the parents of Gabi anyway. So Franz and Eduard set off on an adventurous search all by themselves – bypassing the terrifying Mrs. Berger - in the end the trio finds again what they thought they had lost: the biggest friendship that can be found in the world. Family movie based on motifs from the book series by the famous Austrian writer Christine Nöstlinger.
Back to Those Days (2021)
Section: Beyond the Childhood Horizon , Patron of Children Audience Award
Directed by: Konrad Aksinowicz
Poland, 2021, 104 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 5
Score:
Alek has just come back from a long emigrant stay in the US and wants to start a new life in the new post-communist Poland. Unfortunately, he’s an alcoholic and drags his wife and 12-year-old son Tomek into being co-dependent alcoholics. As young Tomek starts to have difficulties at school, he gradually begins to understand the drama of his father’s alcoholism. Alek must make a choice…
How I Learned to Fly (2022)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Children’s Category
Directed by: Radivoje Andrec
Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Slovak Republic, 2022, 85 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 5
Score:
Adventurous and funny Sofija is forced to spend her vacation with her overbearing grandmother Maria, on an island in Croatia. It’s not the ideal summer experience she had hoped for, but with the help of her warmhearted old aunt Luce and her charming cousin, Sofija overcomes her initial boredom. She makes new friends and together they explore everything the summer on the island has to offer: sparkling sun, fun in the water, lots of ice cream, and her first kiss. But her carefree time comes to an abrupt end when beloved Luce has to be taken to hospital, leaving Sofija with a pair of family members she’d never met. Nevertheless, in the wake of tragedy, the family overcomes old traumas and when Sofija returns home, she realizes that revealing painful secrets is challenging but very liberating.
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.
So Long Summer Vacation (2021)
Section: World Childrens Film Panorama
Directed by: Bo Ren
China, 2021, 96 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 4
Score:
Left along during summer vacation in the late 1980s, Chen Xiaojin kills time by inventing all kinds of fun and play by himself. While wandering on the streets in the little town, he makes friends with another only child, Xu Bin. When the two hang out by river, Chen almost drowns, which results in severe punishment. The summer vacation never seems to end.
Asteroid (2021)
Section: World Childrens Film Panorama
Directed by: Mehdi Hoseinivand Aalipour
Iran, 2021, 78 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 6
Score:
Ebrahim is twelve. He lives with his mother and five siblings of all ages in a two-roomed shack in the heart of desert, far away from the village. Aside from feeding the children and obtaining a birth certificate for them, the main preoccupation of Ebrahim and his mother is to build a house in the village so they don’t have to walk all the way back and forth all the time…
Tonight´s Homework (2021)
Section: World Childrens Film Panorama
Directed by: Ashkan Nejati, Mehran Nematollahi
Iran, 2021, 78 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 3
Score:
Abbas Kiarostami’s film Homework inspired the making of this film. The intention was to find out whether after three decades, students and parents are still faced with the challenge of homework – meaning assignments intended to be done at home. In this film we meet children whose life experiences that are significantly different from their peers; children who try to develop their talents and capabilities despite great difficulties.