by Becky Tan

The MICHEL Kinder and Jugend Filmfest ran parallel to the Filmfest Hamburg, September 30 – October 5. This special festival for children and young people celebrated its 20th anniversary. Abaton cinema was the festival center, hosting all the showings except one. For the opening film, LUCY IST JETZT GANGSTER, Abaton distributed free ice cream. There were 10 films from almost as many countries in German, French, Dutch, Croatian, etc. Films in foreign languages were spoken live in German by Marion Gretchen Schmitz and Saskia Brzyszcyk, who sat near the aisle with a microphone. There was a special selection of five short films grouped under the title Reihe für Minis, for youngsters four years and older. Young cinema experts introduced the films and conducted Q&A (question and answer) with the directors and actors, often in several languages. A group of 17 youngsters made their own short film, which was presented. The team, Michel Movie Kids, reported about the festival on radio and online under www.michelmoviekids.de. A jury of seven, between ages 12 and 16, selected the winner: GEHEIMNISVOLLEN SOMMER. The festival encourages new participation so that although some youngsters had former experience, many were new, including all the seven members of the jury. Everyone wore blue t-shirts with a festival logo and appeared in Abaton cinema and on the stage.