«Children KinoFest» – festival that introduces Ukrainian children to the latest European films and world film classics. First held in 2014 KinoFest now takes place in 23 Ukrainian cities – from million-plus cities to regional centres. Last year more than 42 000 viewers attended festival
By tradition competition program of the VI Festival of Cinema Art for Children and Teenagers «Children KinoFest» included seven films for viewers aged over 4, selected at the biggest European film forums. Special event this year – screening of the classic comedy «Circus» dedicated to the 130th anniversary of the outstanding director Charlie Chaplin’s birth. Family film «Zoo», British and Irish co-production, opens «Children KinoFest». The story features Belfast during the Second World War – main characters fight to save animals from the local zoo. Colin Mclvor film won Youth Jury Prize for the Best Films for Families at the Seattle International Film Festival.
For the first time program of the festival will screen horror movie – viewers aged over 12 will have a chance to estimate film «Rum 213», produced in Sweden, which received award for the Best Film for Children of Toronto International Film Festival. Main characters arrive to the summer camp, where they come to realize that they might be neighboured by ghosts. «Children KinoFest» will also screen two animation films. Ukrainian blockbuster «Stolen Princess» – story about the daughter of Kyiv Knyaz, stolen by the evil sorcerer, saved by the travelling musician. Roles voiced by Oleksiy Zavgorodniy, Nadia Dorofeieva, Sergiy Prytula, Yurii Gorbunov and the Ambassador of «Children KinoFest» – Oleg «Fagot» Mykhailiuta. For the youngest viewers the festival prepared «Pipi, Pupu and Rosemary: the Mystery of the Stolen Notes» – story about forest animals, trying to return stolen notes to organize music concert. As part of non-competition program young viewers can watch classic comedy film – 2019 marks 130th anniversary of remarkable director, legend of world cinema Charlie Chaplin’s birth. For this occasion, symbol of the festival «Children KinoFest» – owlet – was named Charlie.
As part of «Children KinoFest» for the third time already, attenders will have a chance to watch selection of films – finalists of the competition of children short films, announced in autumn. 10 best films – contestants will be screened in the theatre and special jury will select the winner among them. This year honourable jury consists of the actress Irma Vitovski-Vantsa, director Maryna Stepanska and director Arkadii Nepytaliuk. Winners will receive from 5000 to 20000 UAH awards and honorary diplomas. As always, festival will close Grand Prix owner fantasy film «Watchtower» by Yurii Kovaliov about journey of today’s schoolboy through time to Kyivan Rus times. In 2018 this film was the first Ukrainian film to win «Children KinoFest».
Winner of festival competition program will be selected by viewers’ voting. All visitors receive a voting paper at the entry to the theatre to rate the film. All screenings are free after registration on the website of the festival. Registration starts on May 24th. Half of seats is reserved for the disadvantaged groups: children with special needs, orphans and those, who suffered from the conflict on the east of Ukraine. This year «Children KinoFest» united with Charity Foundation «Tabletochki» and encourages festival guests to help children with oncologic diseases in Ukraine.
Mission of the festival is to develop in Ukraine a tradition of family movie outings, engage children in watching and creating films. This year «Children KinoFest» will take place from May 31 until June 9 and will embrace 23 cities all over Ukraine. Honorary Ambassador of «Children KinoFest» – Oleg «Fagot» Mykhailiuta, vocalist of hip-hop band «Tanok na Maidani Kongo» (TNMK), producer, dubbing actor, father of the 8-year-old Mykyta.
In Zhytomyr festival will traditionally be held in the cinema «UKRAYINA» (13 Kyivska str.).
Regional coordinator of «Children KinoFest» in Zhytomyr: Shurpan Igor, tel. (097) 648 73 18
General partner of the festival: UNICEF, the State Agency of Ukraine for Movie, OTP Bank Ukraine
Event is supported by: Kyiv City State Administration, British Council in Ukraine, Embassy of Sweden in Ukraine, Embassy of the Kingdom of Denmark in Ukraine, Danish Institute of Cinema, Network «Kyivkinofilm»
Charity partner: Foundation «Tabletochki»
Media partners: TV-week (Telenedelia), the New Ukrainian School, WoMo, Osvitoria Media, Kolobok, Child Development, Children in the city
Photo: open sources, including Broadcast.net.ua