1 – Aims
The Berlin International Film Festival has dedicated a section to children and young people since 1978. Generation makes the diversity of contemporary film culture accessible to young people and involves them in the festival’s discourse on cinema, in an age-appropriate way. The section is a platform for outstanding children’s and youth films. The selected programme also provides a focus for productions which have appeal for children and young people due to their form and content and regardless of genre. Films screened within the Generation context are thereby given the opportunity to develop and enhance their market potential.
2 – Structure
The section heads invite films to take part in two competitions for different age groups: The feature-length and short films screened in Generation Kplus are geared towards young people aged from four to thirteen and up. Feature-length and short films aimed at young people aged 14 and up are presented in the Generation 14plus competition. Each film is given a specific age recommendation which has no upper limit.
Feature films, documentaries and animation films compete side by side in both programmes.
3 – Eligibility
World premieres are given priority.
German Films must be world premieres.
Accepted formats: 35mm, HDCAM, DCP (upon request)
Date of completion: Within the 12 months prior to the festival
Feature length films (minimum length of 60’):
For all (except German) productions Generation accepts:
- Participation in a non-European festival
- Theatrical release/public screening outside Europe
- Only in the country of origin: Broadcast, VOD
Furthermore, for European productions in their country of origin Generation accepts:
- Participation in a national festival/focus
- Participation in an explicit children’s and youth film festival
- Theatrical release/public screening
Short films (maximum length of 30’):
For all productions Generation accepts:
- Participation in a festival outside Germany
- Theatrical release/public screening outside Germany
- Only in the country of origin: Broadcast, VOD
The festival director has the right to settle any cases not covered by the regulations.
All films have to be registered online at online film entry. The entry fee is € 125 for feature length films and € 50 for short films and payment can be effected by credit card only (Visa, American Express, Mastercard) during the online submission process.
4 – Selection and Programming
After consultation with the section heads, the festival director invites films to participate in the Generation section. The section heads also decide in which competition of the section a selected film will be programmed and receive advice and assistance from a selection committee.
The online application and the preview screener for the selection process must be received within the appropriate deadline.
Formats accepted for selection are film prints and Digital Betacam, Betacam SP, DVD, and Blu-ray (region free). For other formats please contact the section directly.
There is also the possibility to upload a short film within the online film entry process. More information can be found at infosheet upload.
All films must be submitted in the original version. Non-English language films must be subtitled in English.
5 – Version and Subtitles
All selected films are screened in their original version with English subtitles. The producer is required to meet the costs of subtitling. The version released or planned for release in the country of origin is regarded as the original version.
Generation Kplus films will be presented with an additional German voice-over performed by professional speakers. For this reason, a complete dialogue list in the original language must be supplied for every film invited to this section.
A complete list of material required for the film’s presentation and a participation form will be sent out with the official invitation.
6 – The Children’s Jury, the Youth Jury and the International Jury
An eleven-member Children’s Jury awards Crystal Bears to the best feature-length and best short film in the Generation Kplus Competition.
The Crystal Bears for the best feature-length and best short film of the Generation 14plus Competition are selected by a seven-person Youth Jury.
The jurors are appointed by the festival director at the recommendation of the section heads.
The awards presented by the Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk (German Child Support Organisation) to films screening in the Generation Kplus Competition are decided upon by the international jury, which is appointed by the festival director at the recommendation of the section heads. This jury comprises five foreign and German film professionals. No person who has participated in the production or commercial exploitation of a film in competition may serve on the jury.
The three juries meet and deliberate separately, according to their own procedures. The section heads may attend the deliberations but do not vote. Jury decisions are based on a majority vote. Jury members are sworn to secrecy, even after the festival is over.
7 – Awards
The Children’s Jury is obliged to award the following prizes to the directors of films in the Generation Kplus Competition:
- The Crystal Bear for the Best Film
- The Crystal Bear for the Best Short Film
In addition, the Children’s Jury may award a
- Special Jury Mention in both categories, according to criteria which may change from year to year
The Youth Jury is obliged to award the following prizes to the directors of films in the Generation 14plus Competition:
- The Crystal Bear for the Best Film
- The Crystal Bear for the Best Short Film
In addition, the Youth Jury may award a
- Special Jury Mention in both categories, according to criteria that change from year to year
The International Jury is obliged to award the following prizes to the directors of films the Generation Kplus Competition:
- The Grand Prix of the Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk for the Best Film, endowed with € 7,500
- The Special Prize of the Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk for the Best Short Film, endowed with € 2,500
In addition, the International Jury may award a
- Special Jury Mention in both categories, according to criteria that change from year to year
Each film selected receives a Certificate of Participation.
For any further questions, please consult the General Regulations of the Berlin International Film Festival.
Deadline for receipt of entry forms and films:
- Feature length films: October 31st, 2011
- Short films: November 14, 2011
Contact
Berlin International Film Festival
Potsdamer Straße 5
10785 Berlin
Germany
phone +49 • 30 • 259 20 444
fax +49 • 30 • 259 20 499
