With square eyes and heaps of impressions in our luggage, we have just returned from Stuttgarter Kinderfilmtage (Stuttgart Children’s Film Days) 2014. Framed by the motto “Strong Children – Strong Films”, the program of films covered five days. The Dutch-Belgian co-production “Finn” was crowned winner of the competition. Directed by Frans Weisz, the film quietly tells the story of a boy who secretely learns to play the violin and finds out where he belongs along the way. 

The surrounding scheduled events and the media education conference had our special attention. For one day, over a hundred teachers, educators, parents and students discussed the topic “Media heroes and heroines – Who or what our children are looking up to!” Subject-specific content was provided by Michael Gurt from JFF Media Education Institut Munich and children’s television project FLIMMO, who held a lecture on heroes and role models.

Children reporters diligently documented the events. Thanks to them, we can relive the closing day and awards ceremony.

By the way, our favorite from the short film section is “Lämmer” (“Lambs”) by Gottfried Mentor and animation studio Woodblock.