Kids & Youth Fest

 The programme of ORGANISED SCREENINGS FOR SCHOOLS includes:

 Once My Mother (2013) dir. Sophia Turkiewicz, 75′

We do not really know our parents. This is what the filmmaker persuades us to believe while trying to find out why her mother left her in an orphanage many years ago. Born in pre-war Poland, Helena experienced orphanhood and homelessness herself, went through a gulag and a period of wandering around the world. Reconstructing her biography at the backdrop of the 20th century history, the director discovers the circumstances that determined the lives of both women. Will she be able to forgive her mother now?

The film is taking part in the documentary competition. 

After the screening there will be a Q&A with the director and producer of the film.

 Ballet Boys (2014) dir. Kenneth Elvebakk, 73′

Ballet is associated, above all, with slender dancers in tulle skirts that gracefully move on points. Very few boys decide to go to a ballet school but Lukas, Syvert and Torgier, three middle-school students from Oslo, share the dream of becoming professional dancers. The camera accompanied the teenagers for three years during their everyday training, competitions and entrance exams to the National Ballet Academy. The career chosen by the boys requires sacrifice on numerous occasions and constant competition is an inseparable part of it. The success achieved by one of them is a test of friendship for all three. 

After the screening there will be a Q&A with the invited guest.

 Leaders (2013) dir. Paweł Ferdek, 50′

Filip, Helena, Kais and Marcel, students of one of Warsaw’s elementary school, take part in the student government elections. As the election day approaches, the campaign is heating up. Candidates for the position of a school captain are determined to win. Imperceptibly, the lesson in democracy for children turns into a serious power game where honour, self-worth and peer acceptance may come into play. As if in a distorting mirror, the world of big politics is reflected by a school election campaign. 

After the screening there will be a Q&A with the authors.

 Young voices from the UK

 Until My Heart’s, Like, Finished (2011) 10′

If you are only 16 and your parents throw you out of home, you have to find a lot of strength and faith in yourself to look into the future with hope. The film was made by teenage residents of a shelter for homeless youth and tells the story of their own experiences.

 Destination Point (2011) 9′

Close to King’s Cross, London’s busy railway station, there is an elementary school whose students come from across the world and speak, in total, over 30 different languages. Despite the differences between them, the children are able become friends and, together, make a film about their school.

 A Mile In Our Shoes (2011) 11′

Not all children may have happy and peaceful childhood. Some grow up very quickly because from an early age they have to take care of their sick parents or siblings. Maturity and sacrifice demonstrated by the young protagonists commends respect.

 One Man’s Walk (2009) 2′

A boy is marching briskly down the street. He will take you around his neighbourhood and tell you what he does and does not like. Who is the film character and why doesn’t he reveal his face straight away?

 Baby love (2010) 10′

Is it easy to be a teenage mom? Ashley, who is 14, gets a baby for a day and has to take care of him .

It turns out that looking after a child is not as careless and pleasant as she thought. Will the girl manage to perform her maternal duties?

 Race (2011) 9′

Neil and David have known each other since kindergarten. Neil has always been different from other kids, which did not discourage David from making friends with him. Although Neil sometimes has problems at school and loses his temper, the boys are friends for better and for worse. 

Screening made in cooperation with the British Council.

 FILMCLUB – a selection of British animated films for children (65 min).

 Ernesto (2011) dir. Corinne Ladeinde, 7′

Ernesto is the last boy at school with a set of baby teeth. Realising that he begins to stand out from his peers, he tries all methods possible to get rid of the problem. But it turns out that Ernesto’s baby teeth have amazing abilities which make the boy a school star.

 Inanimate (2011) dir. Micky O’Donoghue, 3′

A lonely visitor from a distant galaxy is in a spaceship heading towards Earth. His destination is a child’s room full of toys. A friendly alien is trying to make contact with its residents but he will find a kindred spirit in only one of them.

 The Storyteller (2011) dir. Nandita Jain, 10′

Have you ever wondered why dimples in a coconut look like the features of a human face? The answer to this question is provided by an Indian legend told 7-year-old Nirmali by her granddad. Because the old man has increasing problems with memory, his granddaughter helps him to spin the story.

 Varmints (2008) dir. Marc Craste, 24′

The character of the film, a gentle animal which looks like a rodent, lives in harmony with nature. When his heavenly meadow is used as a plot for city development, the animal needs to adjust to new, uncongenial conditions. In this hostile world it manages to save a fragile plant, the symbol of hope for change. The film is an adaptation of a book by Helen Ward under the same title. 

 Elephants (2008) dir. Sally Pearce, 13′

The environment of Kay Grey is drowned by grey: walls in the house are painted grey, parents wear grey clothes, even food has an unappealing colour. One day the family discover that they have elephants living in their house. It turns out that these grey animals will bring colour into the world of little Kay.

 Space Travel According to John (2008) dir. Jamie Stone, Anders Jedenfors, 3′

Is there life on Mars? What could Martians look like? How much time is necessary to get from Earth to the Red Planet? John Gillespie, a 12-year-old boy, tries to answer these and other questions about the universe.

 The Girl with the World in Her Hair (2011) dir. Debbie Howard, 4′

Abundant curls may be a reason for both pride and concern for their owner as it is difficult to comb them and they get tangled up in unwanted items. You will be surprised what extraordinary specimen may be found in little Jasmine’s hair.

Screening made in cooperation with the British Council.

More information and reservation: [email protected]

 What is more, at this year’s Krakow Film Festival we will also have a chance to watch two films shown during FAMILY SCREENINGS FOR INDIVIDUAL VIEWERS. They will take place in the Mikro cinema, they are free of charge and prior reservation is not required. 

 The Jungle Bunch (2013) dir. David Alaux, Éric Tosti, 55′

According to an old legend, only the fearless Tiger Warrior
with his seven companions may save penguins from evil walruses that took control over their village. Ping and Pong find the legendary hero in the jungle and persuade him to go and help them. The party is joined by two toads, Bob and Al, a guerrilla named Miguel, tarsier Gilbert, fish Junior, warthog Fred and bat Patricia. It is a funny animation about friendship, collaboration and ability to overcome your weaknesses. 

 Wickie’s Great Journey (2011) dir. Christian Ditter, 96′

‘When will little Wickie become a true Viking?’ is the question that continues to rob his father of his sleep. Clumsy and peacefully inclined, the boy does not have any makings of a great warrior who comes back from each expedition with valuable spoils. Wickie gets his chance when he sets off on a great journey in search for a lost treasure. Together with his faithful crew and cunning Sylvia, they have to outrun and outsmart Sven the Terrible. 

A detailed programme of the festival screenings is HERE.