The 15th edition of the International Film Festival for Children and Young Audience started this morning with the German Premiere of the Dutch movie „The Indian“ in presence of the vice president of the Saxon State Parliament, Andrea Dombois, head of the Art department of the State Ministry of Sciences and the Arts, Thomas Früh, as well as the major of Chemnitz, Miko Runkel. Until Sunday, 111 movies from 38 countries will be shown. Among these there are three International, two European and 20 German Premieres.

Today, despite the rainy weather, about 1000 visitors made their way to the festival theatre. More than 500 film fans plus the children’s juries and the jury of international experts watched the opening ceremony in a completely sold out theatre. The director Ineke Houtman and the leading actor Matthias den Besten answered lots of enquiring questions and autograph wishes.

On tomorrow’s Tuesday the visitors will meet up with old friends. At ten “The Sandman” starts his journey to the land of dreams, in the evening, „The Mole“ tumbles out of his hill. Beside that, several German Premiers are presented to the Chemnitz people. An example is the british movie „Skellig“, which is based on the same-titled novel of David Almond. In the context of this year’s country priority „Focus Québec“, the SCHLINGEL presents the Canadian production Aurélie Laflamme’s Diary. The audience gets the possibility to talk to director Christian Laurence about his movie.

Short interview with festival director Michael Harbauer

What was today’s kick-off like?

H.: Everything went well, the first visitors arrived safely and the audience was excited about the opening film. Together with the guests we’re looking forward to a nice festival week with diversified movies and exciting expressions.

Where are the visitors from?

H.: They are especially kindergarten-groups and forms from nearly all over the district, like the surrounding area of Chemnitz, Mittweida, Freiberg, Flöha and Annaberg. Thanks to the support of the Verkehrsbetriebe Mittelsachsen (VMS), the ticket can also be used for public transport.

What happens to the movies after screening?

H.: Most of the movies of our programme have their German Premiere in Chemnitz, others celebrating their European or International Premiere. Lots of them were shown on other Festivals, half of them get synchronized and broadcasted on TV.

Further informations on www.ff-schlingel.de


We conceive ourselves as a platform for international children’s and youth films in Germany. Every year in autumn the festival gives an overview of current productions from all over the world. Last October, about 10,000 visitors watched 118 films from 39 countries. Organiser is the Sächsische Kinder- und Jugendfilmdienst e.V. Co-Organiser is the Sächsische Landesanstalt für Privaten Rundfunk und Neue Medien (SLM). Patron of the Festival is the Minister President of the Free State of Saxony, Stanislav Tillich.