For the first time the International Film Festival for Children and Young Audience “SCHLINGEL“ is received funding from the MEDIA Programme of the European Union. According to the commitee's statement, the festival can look forward to a total financial contribution of 25,000 Euros. “SCHLINGEL“ is the only German festival screening films for children and young audience that is promoted by the MEDIA Programme.

The festival shall spend the money on the production of print matters, film translations and film copies. Altogether 43 European festivals taking place between 1 May and 31 October 2009 receive financial support totalling 1,721,465 Euros.

The director of the festival, Michael Harbauer, delightedly comments on receiving the good news: “The result again shows that our film festival is attracting attention also on a European level. Moreover, the decision demonstrates that our commitment of the last years has been appropriate and that our efforts are now rewarded. This is a big impulse for our team that is already organising the current edition of the International Film Festival.

The 14th edition of the International Film Festival for Children and Young Audience “SCHLINGEL” will be taking place from 5 to 11 October 2009 in Chemnitz/Saxony. The organiser is the association “Saechsischer Kinder- und Jugendfilmdienst e.V.” (Saxon Service for Children’s and Youth Films). “SCHLINGEL” is a stage for international children’s and youth films in Germany. Every year in October the festival shows an overview of current international productions from all over the world. The prizes have a total value of 25,000 Euros. Last year 81 movies from 36 countries of the whole world were shown.