A fine selection of acclaimed international movies about and for kids will make it to the Taiwan International Children’s Film Festival (台灣國際兒童影展), set to open Thursday at Vieshow Cinemas Taipei Xinyi (台北信義威秀影城).
The lineup includes nearly 100 fictional, animated, documentary and short films, as well as television programs, from over 30 countries.
There is an international competition, which received a record-breaking 1,324 entries from 101 countries. Among the 24 finalists, there are many works which have already garnered international acclaim.
Photo courtesy of Taiwan International Children’s Film Festival
The Chicken from Croatia, for example, won Best European Short Film at the prestigious European Film Awards in 2014 with a heartwarming story about a girl trying to save her chicken from being killed by her family.
Set during the German occupation of the Netherlands, Secrets of War revolves around the friendship between two boys, one of whom is the son of liberals who help the Resistance, and the other is the son of a collaborator. The feature film won top honor at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival in 2014.
“I think it shows that our festival has successfully gained global recognition,” says Jessie Shih (施悅文), the festival’s convener.
Photo courtesy of Taiwan International Children’s Film Festival
“When we talk about children’s films, there are mostly animations from Hollywood and Japan... [and so] we try to be more diverse,” she says.
Shi said works from southern Europe, South America and the Middle East will be shown.
‘EQUAL AND DIFFERENT’
Photo courtesy of Taiwan International Children’s Film Festival
This year’s theme, “equal and different,” encourages youngsters to respect differences and take the initiative to fulfill their goals.
Lola on the Pea, for example, tells the story of an introverted girl taking action to help her Kurdish friend, a refugee boy living illegally in Germany, when the boy’s mother falls ill.
Refugees are also explored in Aurora Borealis, which centers on Emina, a nine-year old refugee from Bosnia now living in Norway, and her search for her father missing in Bosnia.
On a lighter note, Oddball is based on a true story about a little girl and her grandfather’s endeavor to save the disappearing penguins on their island, with the help of the family’s sheep dog.
While children are the festival’s target demographic, it does not shy away from serious topics such as life and death.
A Single Life, for example, tells the story of a young woman who gains the power to travel through her life when she plays a mysterious vinyl single. The work was nominated for best animated short film at the Academy Awards last year.
Apart from screenings, several international directors and other film professionals will attend the festival.
Milos Stehlik, director of the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, British director Vaughn Stein and Brazil filmmaker Cassio Pereira dos Santos will all attend.
For more information, visit the festival’s bilingual Web site at www.ticff.org.tw.
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