Cinema is an experience for young and old. It's something the whole family can share. So it's no wonder that among the thousands of film enthusiasts who attend the Zurich Film Festival every fall include numerous children and young people. But that's not all: the ZFF children's series is one of the most popular sections of the Zurich Film Festival. That's why the program has been expanded again this year: Ten new films will be shown and there will be even more screenings for school classes. "Children are the audience of tomorrow, which is why we attach great importance to conveying the joy of cinema to them," explain the two ZFF co-directors Karl Spoerri and Nadja Schildknecht.
The films shown in the "ZFF for Children" series come from America, Australia, Africa and Europe. They range from intelligent mainstream films such as SHAUN THE SHEEP - THE FILM: UFO ALARM to the African documentary LIYANA, which gives a voice to orphans from Swaziland (Eswatini), which has been shaken by an AIDS epidemic.
The series also aims to draw attention to current issues. For example, the various films playfully address the integration of refugees, the importance of species conservation and life in patchwork families. Filmmakers will also be present at most screenings to answer questions from the young audience. There will also be various film workshops at the festival. For example, children and young people can make their own short film, record the music for a film sequence or invent their own film hero or heroine.
Among others, the films Lyiana, Shaun the Sheep - The Movie: UFO Alert and TOO FAR AWAY will be shown at the festival. Find out more about the films:
LIYANA
Doc, Swaziland/USA - recommended for ages 10 and up
Director: Aaron and Amanda Kopp
In this critically acclaimed documentary, which has won over 30 festival awards, orphans from Swaziland talk about their everyday lives. Together with a writer, they invent a fairy tale about a girl named Liyana who wants to rescue her kidnapped twin brother.
SHAUN THE SHEEP - THE MOVIE: UFOALARM
Animated film, USA/England/France recommended for ages 4+
Director: Will Becher and Richard Phelan
The cheeky sheep Shaun meets an extraterrestrial girl who has supernatural powers and is being pursued by an evil organization. Together they experience a great adventure.
TOO FAR AWAY
Feature film, Germany - recommended for ages 8 and up
Director: Sarah Winkenstette
11-year-old Ben has to leave his home village with his family and moves to a city. At school, he meets another "new kid": 12-year-old Tariq, who had to flee the war in Syria. At first they are rivals on the football pitch, but then they become close friends.
You can find more films here here.
