Neinhorn and Häschenschule: “Schlingel” Presents World Premieres

With 194 films from 60 countries, the "Schlingel" Children's Film Festival invites you to a cinematic journey around the world in Chemnitz in early October. Some of the productions will be shown publicly on the big screen for the very first time. Among them is the film debut of *Neinhorn*, based on the children’s book of the same name by Marc-Uwe Kling. In addition to the author himself, Torsten Sträter, Nora Tschirner, and Karoline Herfurth—who lend their voices to the protagonists of the animated film—are expected to attend the opening weekend.

The third installment of the “Häschenschule” series will also premiere at Schlingel before “Geheimnis um das Goldene Ei” hits theaters in 2027. The fact that the film is being shown first in Saxony ties in with the roots of this classic children’s book. It was first put to paper in 1922 by Albert Sixtus in Kirchberg near Zwickau. But international productions are also making their big-screen debuts in Chemnitz, including the film “Der Schlitten” from India and “Erwachsen” from Iran.

Festival Showcases Films from Around the World—Focus on Neighboring Poland

The program is designed to entertain while also inspiring reflection and opening up new perspectives, as festival director Michael Harbauer explained during the program presentation. “Major productions from Germany are featured alongside films from every corner of the globe.” The international films will be shown in their original language with German and English subtitles, and for the youngest viewers, they will also be dubbed live in the theater. According to reports, around 3,000 short and feature-length films were screened for this year’s festival.

This year, there is a special focus on filmmaking in neighboring Poland. An independent children’s film scene is developing there, “one that can certainly keep pace with that of other European countries and, in some cases, even surpass it,” Harbauer states.

The film festival for children and young audiences is celebrating its 31st edition this year. It opens on October 2 at the Chemnitz Opera House and runs through October 10. A total of 58 feature-length and 81 short films are competing for various awards. The winners will be selected by several juries consisting of children, young people, and industry experts.