"Schlingel" Comes to an End — European Award for Finnish Film

The Finnish adventure film “Winski and the Vikings’ Treasure” by Juha Wuolijoki won the European Film Award at the “Schlingel” Children’s Film Festival. The story of the young hero Winski, whose hometown is threatened by thieves and deceitful schemes, captivated the audience from the very beginning, explained the jury—composed of 12 children from six countries—in its decision. “The many surprising twists kept the outcome unpredictable, so we sat on the edge of our seats, eagerly awaiting the end.”

The children’s jury also praised the young lead actor, Kuura Rossi, who took on the role of Winski for the second time. He was convincing and believable thanks to his great courage and natural demeanor.

From an Unusual Friendship to a Birthday Party

In the “National Feature Film” category, the intergenerational coming-of-age film “Lord” by Caren Wuhrer was honored. It tells the story of an unusual friendship that begins when 17-year-old Lord saves the life of 78-year-old Betty after she attempts suicide. Among other things, the expert jury praised the film’s use of poetic dream sequences and its subversion of audience expectations. 

The Polish production “Too Old for Fairy Tales” by Kristoffer Rus won the “International Feature Film” award; the film addresses the protection of children and adolescents on social media. According to the jury, the film holds both adolescents and parents accountable and provides a good foundation for shared discussions.

The Special Prize went to the Egyptian-American film “Happy Birthday” by Sarah Goher, about an eight-year-old girl who doesn’t know what to wish for on her birthday. According to the jury, it tells a story of poverty and what prevents people from even getting a start in life.

25,000 viewers attended the 31st “Schlingel”

A total of 19 awards were presented at the conclusion of the film festival for children and young audiences. Starting on October 2, the 31st edition featured 194 films from 60 countries. According to the organizers, a total of 25,000 young and older film fans attended the screenings.