Mon 05.06.2023 | 08:50Sea Sparkle (2023)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Junior Category (over 11 years of age)
Directed by: Domien Huyghe
Belgium, Netherlands, 2023, 98 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 4
Score:
InfoTwelve-year-old Lena rides a skateboard, listens to Angèle, is quite good at sailing and loves the ocean. She enjoys a carefree childhood by the sea, with her feet in the water and her head in the clouds. On her sailboat, she fights the winds and waves as passionately as her father did on his fishing expeditions. When he and the rest of his crew don't return one day, some say it was an accident, others say he was reckless. Lena is sure it couldn't have been her father's fault. It must have been a giant sea creature that overturned the ship. She just needs proof to prove everyone wrong. Lena's rage focuses her on a single task: to hunt down the underwater monster she believes is responsible for the disaster. This story of a teenager against a background of sadness, is based on the director's own experience. It was the opening film of the Generation Kplus section at this year's Berlinale.
Mon 05.06.2023 | 09:30Dome 16 (2022)
Section: European Web Series for Teenagers
Directed by: Thomas Seeberg Torjussen
Norway, 2022, 90 min
Projection place: Zámek
Score:
Earth in 2138 - the climate crisis has brought unbearable levels of radiation and pollution, forcing humanity to live under domes that represent separate worlds. Fourteen-year-old Anton would like to escape from the closed dome to a normal life at least by finding a girlfriend. And because love is no respecter of climate crises, he meets Emma despite their divided worlds. An original dystopian sci-fi from the creators of ZombieLars about the beginning of one love against the backdrop of the planet's demise. Just Wanted to See a Boob, duration: 20 min The Shame, duration: 24 min I Hate You, duration: 23 min
Mon 05.06.2023 | 10:30Bullets (2023)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Junior Category (over 11 years of age)
Directed by: Peter Pontikis
Sweden, 2023, 94 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 2
Score:
Talented and well-behaved 12-year-old Abdel lives with his mother in a tough neighborhood. When his best friend starts selling drugs for a local gang, Abdel gets caught up in criminal activities in an effort to help him out of trouble. He thus risks changing the course of his life and getting dragged down a path that he did not choose himself. After an unsuccessful task, he unintentionally reveals where the gang's base is located, which is immediately attacked by the competition. Abdel is forced by the gang to make amends for his mistake. An impressive drama with brilliant acting shows that even if you have a good home, parents, and dreams, you can still end up in bad company due to peer pressure. A realistic film, one that the teenager should not miss; it won the Young Jury Prize and the Church of Sweden Prize at this year's BUFF International Film Festival in Malmö, Sweden.
Mon 05.06.2023 | 10:40My Life as Lotta (2023)
Section: World Children´s Film Panorama
Directed by: Martina Plura
Germany, 2023, 89 min
Projection place: Aula
Score:
Based on the worldwide best-selling book series of the same name by Alice Pantermüller, we meet Lotta and her best friend, Cheyenne, who are excited to go on their first school trip. That is, until they find out who’s going: Cheyenne´s little sister Chanell, Lotta’s father as a chaperon, and their new French classmate Rémi who has a huge crush on Lotta! And from there the trip goes from bad to worse: a haunted hostel, Chanell disappears, and an old legend of a poltergeist. Fortunately, there is Lotta´s gang the “Wild Rabbits” - you can always rely on them.
Mon 05.06.2023 | 15:30Psychobitch (2018)
Section: Top Teen Ten
Directed by: Martin Lund
Norway, 2018, 111 min
Projection place: Zámek
Score:
Frida would say it was her choice to be the class outsider. All the other kids at school agree - Frida is totally different. In the same school year as Frida, Marius does everything he can to be a success. When the two are paired up as study buddies, Marius sees it as another opportunity to show everyone what a great guy he is, but Frida has no intention of being helped or fixed by the class golden boy. Their study sessions become the catalyst for a turbulent relationship, but the fights between them lead to something exciting, challenging, and completely new.
Mon 05.06.2023 | 19:30I Like Movies (2022)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Youth Category (over 15 years of age)
Directed by: Chandler Levack
Canada, 2022, 100 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 5
Score:
The clear and distinct title of the film is the basic premise of the life of a teenager, Lawrence, who is obsessed with the world of film. His longtime and only friend Matt shares his passion for amateur filmmaking and other unusual hobbies. Lawrence's mother struggles to cope with the death of her husband and the difficult adolescent years of her son, whose dream is to get into NYU's New York Film School. Lawrence's selfishness, rage, and almost pathological desire cause fundamental cracks in his relationships. He sees the people around him only as pawns on his journey to become a world-class filmmaker. A great script full of references to film classics and outstanding acting make this indie film a favorite of film festivals. The script was based on the debuting director Chandler Levack's own experiences as a video store salesclerk and it has a cast of fresh young actors' faces.
Mon 05.06.2023 | 20:00Winter Boy (2022)
Section: Festival Laurels from around the World
Directed by: Christophe Honoré
France, 2022, 122 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 6
Score:
Lucas is 17 when his teenage world is suddenly shattered. He views his life as a wild animal in need of taming. Between a brother settled in Paris and a mother with whom he now lives alone, Lucas will have to fight to rediscover hope and love.
Tue 06.06.2023 | 08:30Juniors (2022)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Junior Category (over 11 years of age)
Directed by: Hugo Thomas
France, 2022, 95 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 1
Score:
Fourteen-year-old boys Jordan and Patrick live in a small village in the south of France and are bored to death. The only thing they enjoy is Call of Duty, a popular war video game in which they compete with Korean opponents. But one day, tragedy strikes; Jessica (their PlayStation 4) breaks down. How will they get money for a new one? Influenced by circumstances, the teens come up with a crazy idea: Jordan will fake cancer and start an online collection to support his treatment. Both completely cut off from reality, the boys are convinced that their virtual lie will never reach them. Not in their village, not at school, not at home... Money flows in, but the lie gets out and threatens their friendship. A brilliant comedy with a deep message; it plays with limits and breaks traditionally accepted decorum in the face of the suffering. Vanessa Paradis appears as a mother alongside the talented young non-actors.
Tue 06.06.2023 | 08:50Bubble (2022)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Youth Category (over 15 years of age)
Directed by: Aleksi Salmenperä
Finland, 2022, 102 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 4
Score:
Sixteen-year-old Evelina's life is turned upside down when she happens to spot her mother passionately kissing another woman. Like all teenagers, she feel freedom of thought and action are important, but not when it comes to her own parents. She lives in a free-spirited family, where her dad has lots of good advice for his daughter, but does not see his own marriage is in jeopardy. Evelina decides to end her mother's affair at all costs and make her parents fall in love again, or at least stay together. She knows she is the glue holding her parents together – if she has any difficulties, her parents will do anything to support her. Set in motion are a series of big decisions and actions, with all their dramatic and comedic consequences. This fresh family comedy is now a movie in the Finnish film scene. Stella Leppikorpi, the lead actress, was given the Jussi Awards as the Discovery of the Year for her performance.
Tue 06.06.2023 | 09:30Short Fuse (2023)
Section: European Web Series for Teenagers
Directed by: Petra Lumioksa
Finland, 2023, 80 min
Projection place: Zámek
Score:
Sixteen-year-old Meri hates school and all her bullies so much that she would like to throw a bomb. And one day, she decides to do just that. An encounter with Satanist Janita and nerd Kristian only serves to reconfirm her decision, and the disparate trio begin to plot their destructive plans. But none of them expects their friendship to turn their desire to blow people up into a desire to love them. A crackling Finnish series about friendship as the most effective detonator of adolescence. Own Fault, duration: 21 min Sub Seeks Dom, duration: 25 min Main Day, duration: 22 min
Tue 06.06.2023 | 10:50Billie Blue (2023)
Section: Beyond the Childhood Horizon
Directed by: Mariloup Wolfe
Canada, 2023, 115 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 1
Score:
At 16, Billie is just now catching up with her peers: in love, in height (a growth spurt has propelled her to 1m80), in having her first period. In a hurry to catch up, she begins her summer as a lifeguard at the water park with her best friends and her oh-so-perfect older sister Annette. Everything goes wrong when Billie and Annette both fall for Pierre, a talented local racing cyclist. Thus begins a heartbreaking love triangle where Billie must once and for all take her place, shine bright and fight to live the love story she deserves.
Tue 06.06.2023 | 11:10Sweet As (2022)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Junior Category (over 11 years of age)
Directed by: Jub Clerc
Australia, 2022, 87 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 4
Score:
Aborigine teen Muura's life is like the landscape in which she lives with her alcoholic mother: lonely, boring and even pathetic. In her remote part of Australia, she has no friends and prefers to spend time away from home, which is beginning to lack any meaning. One day she runs out of patience and goes to her uncle. To keep his niece from getting lost in the welfare system, he signs Muuru up for a photography trip to the Australian outback with three other troubled teens. Their task is to find stories through the viewfinders of their small cameras. This fresh road movie tells the story of growing up and finding unexpected friendship, first love, new challenges, responsibility, and the truth about yourself. We sit next to Muura in the seat of a rundown bus and embark on a journey into the depths of the breathtaking Australian outback and the souls of broken young people who are taking a chance.
Tue 06.06.2023 | 11:20Jonja (2023)
Section: World Children´s Film Panorama
Directed by: Anika Mätzke
Germany, 2023, 87 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 3
Score:
Without telling her mother, 13-year-old Jonja goes on holiday with the family of her best friend Paul. The days at the lake are exciting and beautiful. Jonja falls in love with a girl and her friendship with Paul becomes even more intense. She enjoys the time away from her family life until the lie is finally exposed and Paul questions their friendship.
Tue 06.06.2023 | 16:30Billie Blue (2023)
Section: Beyond the Childhood Horizon
Directed by: Mariloup Wolfe
Canada, 2023, 115 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 4
Score:
At 16, Billie is just now catching up with her peers: in love, in height (a growth spurt has propelled her to 1m80), in having her first period. In a hurry to catch up, she begins her summer as a lifeguard at the water park with her best friends and her oh-so-perfect older sister Annette. Everything goes wrong when Billie and Annette both fall for Pierre, a talented local racing cyclist. Thus begins a heartbreaking love triangle where Billie must once and for all take her place, shine bright and fight to live the love story she deserves.
Tue 06.06.2023 | 18:30So Damn Easy Going (2022)
Section: Top Teen Ten
Directed by: Christoffer Sandler
Sweden, Norway, 2022, 91 min
Projection place: Zámek
Score:
Joanna's mind is like a flashing amusement park at peak season. She is 18 years old and needs ADHD meds to keep her buzzy brain in order. With a depressed father whose sick pay is barely covering the rent, money runs out and Joanna can’t afford her medication. So as not to become a disturbing and unfiltered version of herself, Joanna must be creative in her hunt for money. In the midst of the chaos, the charming and confident Audrey appears.
Wed 07.06.2023 | 10:50Dojo (2022)
Section: World Children´s Film Panorama
Directed by: Boris Paval Conen
Netherlands, 2022, 89 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 1
Score:
Brandon (13) and his best friend Stefano live in a multicultural working-class neighborhood. They find comfort and brotherhood with a local gang and rise quickly in the street hierarchy by carrying out dangerous tasks. But when Brandon gets caught breaking into a dojo by Kai, a former judo champion and owner of the dojo, he demands that Brandon join his judo school to avoid arrest. In the dojo, Brandon discovers the peaceful philosophy behind judo, which gives him the peace and discipline that his life lacks. Can Brandon break free from the ruthless street life?
Wed 07.06.2023 | 11:30How to Get Your Parents to Divorce (2022)
Section: World Children´s Film Panorama
Directed by: Sandrine Brodeur-Desrosiers
Canada, 2022, 83 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 6
Score:
Justine (12) firmly believes that she will be happier if her parents get divorced. The catch? They have no plans to do so. Tired of the arguing at home, Justine decides to use the language of her parents – both lawyers – to finally make herself heard. Surrounded by her group of friends, she creates a "Youth Court" to get what she wants.
Wed 07.06.2023 | 13:00Jonja (2023)
Section: World Children´s Film Panorama
Directed by: Anika Mätzke
Germany, 2023, 87 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 2
Score:
Without telling her mother, 13-year-old Jonja goes on holiday with the family of her best friend Paul. The days at the lake are exciting and beautiful. Jonja falls in love with a girl and her friendship with Paul becomes even more intense. She enjoys the time away from her family life until the lie is finally exposed and Paul questions their friendship.
Wed 07.06.2023 | 15:30Comedy Queen (2022)
Section: Top Teen Ten
Directed by: Sanna Lenken
Sweden, 2022, 94 min
Projection place: Zámek
Score:
The story of 13-year-old Sasha, who, despite her immense sorrow, refuses to mourn her dead mother. She secretly writes a list of everything she must do to survive: shave her hair, stop reading books, say no to the world's cutest puppy and, above all, become a stand-up comedian to make everyone laugh, especially her father, who secretly cries in the shower when he thinks no one can hear him.
Wed 07.06.2023 | 17:00Little Ones (2022)
Section: Festival Laurels from around the World
Directed by: Julie Lerat-Gersant
France, 2022, 90 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 5
Score:
Pregnant, 16-year-old Camille is placed in a home for teen mothers by a family court judge. Separated from her own loving yet toxic mother, she strikes up a friendship with Alison, another rather immature underage mother, and rebels against the social worker Nadine, a passionate, albeit blasé authority figure. These encounters will radically change her destiny.