2,466 young film fans celebrate the 34th Children's Film Festival in Bernau!

2,466 young film fans celebrate the 34th Children's Film Festival in Bernau!

From the latest cinema experiences to exciting discussions about courage and identity – the 34th Brandenburg Children's Film Festival, which took place in Bernau from October 7th to 17th, was a complete success. A total of 2,466 children and young people attended the event, which took place across various venues such as the town hall and the town library. A colorful program that offered both long and short films as well as special formats for the youngest visitors ensured that many smiling faces were present.

The event started with the opening film “Being a Winner”, which was well received by the young audience. During the ten-day edition of the festival, visitors were able to see a total of 34 films, including the popular film “Yuku and the Flower of the Himalayas,” which thrilled 491 children in three screenings alone. The film “Uncannily Perfect Friends” was also very well received. At several points, viewers had the opportunity to discuss the films and production processes directly with actors and directors. Andreas Döhler, a well-known actor in the opening film, gave exciting insights into the filming and the challenges of film production.

Cinema for all ages

The festival had something to offer for every age group. Through a well-structured program, films were shown that dealt with themes such as friendship, courage and identity. The youngest children were able to look forward to “Brave, Courageous”, while older children were confronted with “Dancing Queen” on the topics of body image and bullying. Even the little ones got their money's worth at the picture book cinema, where lovingly designed stories were presented.

For the experienced filmmakers among the young visitors, there was a special short film program that was created in cooperation with the technical school for social professions at OSZ II Barnim. The concept included not only the screening of short films, but also educational follow-up, in which children thought about and discussed topics such as identity and prejudice in workshops. So the festival became not only a place for entertainment, but also a space for valuable education.

An important building block for cultural education

The children's film festival remains a central part of cultural and media education in Bernau. This 34th edition may have been a little less popular than last year with 2,594 visitors, but the city is still the front runner in Brandenburg and is proud to have a relevant place nationwide with over 17,000 young visitors. The reduced admission price of €1.50 per person made it possible for many families to enjoy the films and be part of the hustle and bustle.

The festival was organized by the city's cultural office and youth coordination in collaboration with schools and leisure facilities that are strongly committed to promoting media literacy among young viewers. Future events are also already being planned, so that children in Brandenburg can expect a special kind of cinematic experience at least once a year.

For more information about the festival and the upcoming program, those interested can visit the official pages: [Bernau Live](https://bernau-live.de/nachrichten/bernau/2-466-kinder- Feierten-das-brandenburger-kinderfilmfest-in-bernau), MOZ, and MBJS.