The 14th SCHLINGEL shows exclusive and top-class movies: 118 productions from 39 countries - including numerous German and European premieres. On 5 October 2009 the International Film Festival for Children and Young Audience SCHLINGEL starts the 14th time by presenting the French-Canadian-coproduction titled “Magic” in Chemnitz. The world premiere of the Russian Disney production “Book of Masters” – a mixture of traditional Russian fairy tales and modern fantasy – will be the highlight. During the premiere on Tuesday, 6th October 2009 the stage director Wadim Sokolowski, main actress Maria Andrejewa and also producer Wasili Balaschow will be our guests.

Traditionally prices amounting to 25.000 Euro are awarded in five classes. There are five children and youth juries and also an expert jury that contain representatives of the film and culture industry. During the festival week it’s their decision who is going to be a favourite. Furthermore the best children actor will be honored.

On 8th October the „Ehrenschlingel“ for exceptional commitment with regard to the German children’s and youth film is assigned to the Munich Christel and Hans Strobel – the editors of the expert publication „Kinder- und Jugendfilm Korrespondenz” (Children’s and Youth Films Correspondence). Their work is one of the most lasting initiatives that provided a base for a nonexistent children’s film culture in the west of Germany since the mid-1970s.

The organiser of the International Film Festival for Children and Young Audience SCHLINGEL is the association “Saechsischer Kinder- und Jugendfilmdienst” Chemnitz (Saxon Service for Children’s and Youth Films Chemnitz), joint organizer is the Saechsische Landesanstalt für privaten Rundfunk und neue Medien (Saxon regional office for private broadcasting and new media). The SCHLINGEL is Germany’s biggest independent international film festival for children and young audience. Every year the newest productions from all over the world are presented. The festival perceives as a podium of the international children’s and youth films in Germany. Therefore lenders and broadcasters regularly are assured to pick out festival films for their own program. Sponsors are the Saxon First Minister Stanislaw Tillich and the Lord Mayoress of Chemnitz Barbara Ludwig.