Program of the 17th JUNIORFEST
Presenting the first part of the 17th JUNIORFEST program
We are delighted to share with you the first glimpse of the film program for the 17th JUNIORFEST! As the preparations for the festival near completion, allow us to present snippets of the rich audio-visual content that you will have the chance to see at JUNIORFEST.
This year's program features films from nearly twenty countries worldwide, covering genres such as comedy, drama, nature documentaries, and science fiction. These films explore themes of friendship, family, first loves, and big dreams, as well as global issues like environmentalism, minority rights, and World War II.
We believe these films transcend language, nationality, and even disability-related barriers – sometimes with humour, sometimes with deep emotion, but always with a sensitivity to storytelling and the audience for whom the films are intended.
Bursting into the JUNIORFEST cinemas with unique energy is the Slovenian-Czech-Romanian co-production Block 5, which will thrill rebellious skateboarders and their worried parents alike. For the age group of fresh teenagers, we have the wonderful German film Winners, which deals with a school football tournament and also touches on immigration and language barriers.
On the other hand, tranquillity and silent awe await you in the French documentary Heart of Oak, where the audience gets an up-close look at the animal inhabitants of a two-hundred-year-old tree, without any explanatory commentary. A relationship with nature, free from worn-out conventions, can also be found in the animated film Four Souls of Coyote from Hungary. It tells the story of the descendants of the indigenous people of the North American plains, whose home is threatened by the construction of an oil pipeline.
Or maybe you're in the mood for a bit of crazy fantasy and fresh humour? If so, the Czech premiere of the Dutch comedy Superpowers for Your Mind is sure to both entertain and move you. In this film, a boy with a physical disability dreams of meeting his favourite comic book superhero. Along the way, he faces many obstacles – luckily, he has not only great friends and a supportive teacher by his side but also his determined grandmother on a motorcycle.
The best of contemporary Czech cinema will be showcased with Girl America – a visually stunning odyssey through the life of a girl and a woman, directed by the acclaimed Viktor Tauš. We are thrilled that the Czech Republic will also be represented by Kings of Šumava. This film is tied to the Pilsen region, capturing the life journey of the human smuggler Josef Hasil, who earned the nickname "King of Šumava" for his activities in the 1950s. The film by Irish director Kris Kelly, who will personally attend the festival, uncovers historical myths and legends through a combination of live-action, documentary, and animated scenes.
Especially for Klatovy, we have prepared a program featuring films by local director Eliška Kováříková. This includes her short film The Glory of Terrible Eliz, which critics hailed as the best children's film of 2021. It will be accompanied by three episodes of her new series Ela's Super Secret Diary, featuring children from Klatovy. Local schools will have the perfect opportunity to enjoy a school premiere with the author present.
The full JUNIORFEST program will be released on October 16, 2024.
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