International Competition of Feature Films for Children

A father with his children, a daughter and a son, live in a lonely lighthouse in the mythical land of old Celts. Their lives are turned upside down when they find out that the daughter is the last of the selkies. Only she and her song of the sea can save all the fairy creatures turned into stone by the witch Macha. The children are torn from their lives at the sea and look for the way back. Their loyal dog is a faithful helper and companion on their voyage and together they embark on a big adventure. After the highly praised animated film Brendan and the Secret of Kells (Academy Award nomination for best animated film), brings Tomm Moore another magical story. With a gorgeously animated mythical world and a story full of hope about the power of paternal and sibling love, Song of the Sea brought the director his second academy award nomination and comparison to the biggest masters of animated film. The magnificent visual style of the film resembles hand drawing in spite being rendered digitally. The author uses a nostalgic story with subtle humour and darker undertones evoking a mysterious world.

The impressive Swedish film Beyond Beyond is a story about wanting the impossible. Little rabbit Johan is not old enough to understand the rules of life but he takes up the fight against a very powerful monster. As he fights, he learns more and more about life. While searching for his mother, the little rabbit comes into a very peculiar half-disintegrated world where his enemy hides. But it won’t be easy to find him and take away his powers. Luckily, Johan finds friends who join his fight. A very nostalgic story full of twists and peripheries is based on the children’s needs of harmony and parental love. The authors worked very hard on the film’s 3D animation, modelling and textures and therefore Beyond Beyond looks much more original and “friendly” than mass produced 3D American animated blockbusters.

The sensitive drama Giovanni’s Island is based on actual events. In the wake of the biggest conflict humankind has ever known, World War II, the small Japanese island of Shikotan is conquered by the Soviets and becomes a part of the Sakhalin Oblast. The local school opens a class for Russian children. But the main heroes of the film are two little Japanese brothers – Junpei and Kanta. A shy friendship between them and a Russian girl called Tana develops at the still open wound of this distant part of the world. They try to overcome language barriers as well as historic events. The moving story also brings dramatic separation and the two brothers get to the mainland where they literally fight for their lives. The film depicts, among other things, torn family bonds, friendship and deep love in the times of momentous historic events. This captivating Japanese film succeeded at a number of festivals for children and young adults but it will surely capture the attention of adult viewers.

The Tale of Princess Kaguya

The original animated film by the master of Japanese anime Isao Takahata tells a very unusual story. Its heroine is the beautiful princess Kaguya who is found one day by a bamboo cutter in a glowing bamboo shoot. He takes her home and together with his wife decides to raise the fast growing beauty as their own. The mysterious princess is apparently of divine origin and marvels everyone she meets but the course of events forces her to confront punishment for her wrongdoing. This dramatic film full of fantasy has charmed the audiences as well as the critics of the whole world and brought the author – apart from other awards and several dozen nominations – an Academy Award nomination. Isao Takahata is a renowned anime director and producer but his last film partly defies this genre and uses the aesthetics of hand drawing created with distinctive draws. Isao Takahata has together with the world-renowned Hayao Miyazaki founded the Studio Ghibli. The Tale of Princess Kaguya is his first film after 14 years.

In 2010, Finnish producer and director Hanna Hemilä and French producer and director Xavier Picard joined their forces and to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of Tove Jansson’s birth, adapted her comic strips into a film. The film was completed in time and it made its premiere the year of the anniversary. The favourite heroes – and not only among children – have to endure raging sea and time at a desert island in order to finally get to the Riviera for their dreamy holiday. The humble creatures are a bit taken aback by the commercial world and Moominmamma goes back to the ship to wait until her family “comes to reason.” The film will entertain viewers of all ages as the story includes universal topics such as the joy of everydayness, family bonds and life optimism. The film fully respects the graphic style of Tove Jansson and her kind humour and as such is a “true” adaptation that will please all the Moomins fans. In order honour the atmosphere of black and white strips as much as possible, the authors used hand animation and only a limited colour scale.