In collaboration with the Zürcher Filmstiftung, the Zurich Film Festival is making a contribution in support of children’s films. Together, we aim to elevate the status of children’s movies in the Swiss film industry and present the concept How to Kinderfilm – an afternoon dedicated entirely to the development, production, and distribution of children's and family entertainment. The second edition will take place on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, as part of the 20. Zurich Film Festival at the Frame, and is organized by KIDS Regio (DE) and AG Kinderfilm Schweiz. This event, open to all accredited participants and those interested in children's films from the fields of screenwriting, production, distribution, and funding, will be moderated by Carola Stern from AG Kinderfilm Schweiz.
Programme 2024
1:15 PM – 2:40 PM: Keynote by Elisabeth Wenk with Q&A
Elisabeth Wenk, Director of the German Children’s Media Festival "Goldener Spatz," will explain why high-quality content for young audiences is essential. The focus will be on the power of storytelling and new narratives for children. She will also introduce professional development and networking opportunities in Germany and Europe, accompanied by trailers of outstanding children's films from recent years.
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Case Study: "Grüsse vom Mars" by Anette Unger
Anette Unger, an experienced producer of numerous children's co-productions, will offer insights into her work with stories that go beyond the mainstream. Her latest production, "Grüsse vom Mars" (DE 2024, directed by Sarah Winkenstette), sensitively portrays the summer adventure of an autistic boy. In this Case Study, Unger will discuss the production process, content development, as well as marketing strategies and festival distribution of the film.
"Grüsse vom Mars" will screen in the ZFF for Kids section on October 5 and 10.
4:00 PM – 4:15 PM: New Initiatives for Children’s Films in Switzerland – Julia Tal
Producer and writer Julia Tal from AG Kinderfilm will introduce the KIDS FILM FORUM, a collaboration between three Swiss children’s and youth film festivals: Castellinaria (Bellinzona), Festival Cinéma Jeune Public (Lausanne), and Zoomz (Lucerne). She will also invite participants to discuss further developments in the Swiss film industry.
4:15 PM – 5:30 PM: Networking Apéro
Afterward, there will be an opportunity to network in a relaxed atmosphere over drinks.
KIDS Regio is an initiative for high-quality European children's films, promoting a diverse range of stories, genres, and styles for young audiences, particularly focusing on contemporary original content. Acting as a mediator between politics, education, and the film industry, KIDS Regio organizes and supports international networking, among other activities.
The AG Kinderfilm Schweiz is committed to promoting original children's films in Switzerland through various activities. Last year, under the title "What We Can Learn from Europe," they developed a children's film strategy for Switzerland, which is available at this link: https://zoomz.ch/kinderfilmstrategie-schweiz/.
Previous Editions:
Part 1: Matchmaking
As part of the matchmaking, Swiss film producers and directors had the opportunity to meet with experts in the field. Over 15 experienced filmmakers, consultants, advisors, and financiers were available at our matchmaking tables—covering story development, on-set practices, marketing, and financing—to offer advice and answer questions. The matchmaking sessions were conducted in German.
Expert Table 1 & 2: Story development
- Gerrit Hermanns – Drehbuchautor (DAS FLIEGENDE KLASSENZIMMER)
- Dr. Rüdiger Hilmer – Dramaturg und Lektor
- Johannes Honsell – Executive Producer und Regisseur (CHECKER TOBI)
- Micha Lewinsky – Drehbuchautor, Regisseur und Kinderbuchautor
- This Lüscher – Drehbuchautor, Regisseur und Produzent
- Stefanie Plattner – Regisseurin und Produzentin (DIE (UN)LANGWEILIGSTE SCHULE DER WELT)
Expert Table 3: On-set practices
- Ekrem Ergün – Head of Development und Regisseur (DIE (UN)LANGWEILIGSTE SCHULE DER WELT)
- Ralph Etter – Drehbuchautor, Regisseur und Filmkids Coach
- Christof Oswald – Schauspielcoach für Kinder und Jugendliche (MEIN NAME IST EUGEN)
- Alexandra Lovisi – Inhaberin und Tiertrainerin, Filmtierfarm
Expert Table 4: Marketing
- Ditti Bürgin-Brook – Produzent und Dozent (SCHELLEN URSLI)
- Suzanne Hégelé – Film Rights Manager, Diogenes
- Barbie Heusinger – Freelance Film Development, Film Marketing und International Sales & Acquisitions Consultant
Expert Table 5: Financing
- Julia Krättli – Geschäftsführerin, Zürcher Filmstiftung
- Tamara Mattle – Leiterin Pacte Kinospielfilm, SRF Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen
Part 2: Panel discussion
Following, four experts from the matchmaking – Ralph Etter (Screenwriter, Director and Filmkids Coach), Gerrit Hermanns (Screenwriter DAS FLIEGENDE KLASSENZIMMER), Dr. Rüdiger Hilmer (Dramatic Advisor, and Editor) and Stefanie Plattner (Director and Producer DIE (UN)LANGWEILIGSTE SCHULE DER WELT) answered the question What do children want to see?
In collaboration with:
