1 - Aims
With a special focus on the younger generation, the Berlin International Film Festival dedicates one of its sections to quality films for children and young people. Special value is placed on films that display artistic and humanitarian qualities, and which encourage better understanding between cultures.
2 - Structure
The section directors invite films to take part in two competitions for different age-groups. The feature-length and short films of Kplus are aimed at children from four years of age and up. Feature-length and short films for young people from 14 years of age are presented in the 14plus competition. Both young people and adults can attend screenings in both competitions. Each film is given an age recommendation by the section heads.
The commercial distribution of participating films is promoted through cooperation with the festival press office and the European Film Market. Film specialists, including members of national and international organisations specialized in the production, promotion and distribution of films are invited to the screenings and events taking place within the framework of the section.
3 - Selection
After consultation with the section heads, the Festival Director invites films to be presented in the Generation section. The section heads also decide in which competition of the section a selected film will be programmed. A selection committee assists and advises the section heads in their decisions.
4 - Eligibility of Films
Films are only eligible for selection and invitation to the Generation section if they strictly observe the following conditions:
- Films must have been produced in the 12 months preceding the Festival
- Films must not have been released commercially in Germany
- Films must not have been presented at a film festival in Germany
- German films must not have been shown publicly prior to the Festival
- Feature films must be longer than 60 minutes
- Short films must not exceed 30 minutes
Priority is given to world or international premieres. Only films in 35mm format may participate. The section heads may agree to screen HDCAM in exceptional circumstances.
5 - Preview Copy and Deadlines
The written application and the preview copy for the selection process must be received by the appropriate deadline (feature length films October 31, 2008, short films November 15, 2008 at latest). Any preview copies submitted after these dates require written agreement from the section head to be accepted. Videocassettes and DVDs are also acceptable for the selection process. All films should be submitted in original language version. Non-English language films should be submitted with English subtitles.
6 - Selected films
All selected films will be screened in their original version. Non-English language films must be subtitled in English. The costs of the translation and subtitling are the responsibility of the producer. The version released or planned for release in the country of origin is regarded as the original version of the film. After consulting with the heads of the section, the Festival Director decides in the case of co-productions involving several countries.
The Kplus films will be presented with an additional simultaneous translation into German performed by professional speakers. For this reason, a complete original language dialogue list of each film in this competition must be sent immediately upon selection.
7 - Documentation
Once a film has been selected, the festival should then be sent detailed film documentation in digital format immediately following receipt of the official invitation. Including: a synopsis of the film, a full list of artistic and technical credits, a complete biography and filmography of the director and the leading actors, a selection of still photos from the film, and a recent photograph of the director. An additional list of required material for the presentation of the film within the Generation section will be sent out together with the official invitation.
8 - The International Jury, the Children's Jury and the Youth Jury
An 11-member Children's Jury awards the Crystal Bears for the best feature and short film in the Kplus competition. The Crystal Bears for the best feature and short film of the 14plus competition are selected by a seven-person Youth Jury. The jurors are selected by the Festival Director, after consultation with the section directors.
The winners of the prizes of the Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk (German Child Support Organisation) are selected by the International Jury, which is appointed by the Festival Director, in consultation with the heads of the section. This Jury is composed of five foreign and German film professionals. No person who has participated in the production or promotion of any film selected for the competition may serve on the Jury.
The three Juries meet and discuss separately, according to their own procedures. The director of the section may attend Jury meetings but does not take part in the voting. Jury decisions will be taken by a majority. Jury members are sworn to secrecy, even after the Festival has ended.
9 - Awards
The Children's Jury is obliged to award the following prizes to the directors of films in the Kplus Competition:
- The Crystal Bear for the best feature film
- The Crystal Bear for the best short film
Additionally, the Children's Jury may award per category:
- One Special Jury Mention, 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 14plus competition:
- The Crystal Bear for the best feature film
- The Crystal Bear for the best short film.
Additionally, the Youth Jury may award per category:
- One Special Jury Mention, according to criteria which may change from year to year.
For films presented in the Kplus competition, the Generation International Jury is obliged to award to the film director:
- The Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk Grand Prix for the best feature film, endowed with € 7,500.
- The Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk Special Prize for the best short film, endowed with € 2,500.
Additionally, the International Jury may award per category:
- One Special Jury Mention, according to criteria which may change from year to year.
Each film selected receives a Certificate of Participation.
10 - Official logo and promotion
For the films selected the Festival expects the official Festival logo to be used on all promotional material leading up to and during the Festival, especially posters and press kits. The Festival will happily provide the logo upon request to .
Films should clearly display the Festival logo on all promotional and advertising material also after the Festival. This applies equally to the distribution of videos and DVDs.
For all other information please refer to the General Regulations
of the Berlin International Film Festival.
of the Berlin International Film Festival.Deadline for the receipt of entry forms and films
Feature length films: October 31, 2008
Short films: November 15, 2008
Feature length films: October 31, 2008
Short films: November 15, 2008
Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin
Potsdamer Straße 5
10785 Berlin
Germany
phone +49 · 30 · 259 20 · 444
fax +49 · 30 · 259 20 · 499
Download the Generation Regulations Form 2009, PDF (67 KB)
