Festival Data:

• Established: 1979
• Genre: Children (click to see)

• Competitive
• Film Market
• Has Panels

Festival Website:

Festival Description:

The German children's media festival GOLDEN SPARROW is aimed at both the public and specialists, who consider it a traditional, important meeting place within the field of children's film and television. The special feature of the festival is a jury of 20 children, the members of which come from all parts of the Federal Republic, Austria, Switzerland and South Tyrol. After a week of critical discussion concerning the films - these children choose their favorites, awarding GOLDEN SPARROWS in 6 categories: these range from fiction (long and short) to animation, minis (films up to 3 minutes), information programs and entertainment programs. They also make an award to the best actor and to the best presenter. Further prizes, independent of categories, are awarded by a specialist jury composed of media in education experts and academics, journalists, editors and directors.

The competition is supplemented by a parallel information program showing further film series such as retrospectives, youth films, award winning films and studio reports about film productions which will be coming to the cinemas in the near future.

Alongside the festival, there is an additional film market PRO JUNIOR informing producers, buyers and other interested customers about international children's film and television productions. Since the GOLDEN SPARROW is also interested in the new media, a second children's jury composed of children aged 9 to 13 is since 2001 appointed to award the Sparrows to the best Internet page for children and best online game.

The children are given an opportunity to come into direct contact with filmmakers and actors and are thus able to voice their opinions and questions. A diverse program of discussions, debates and workshops on current themes within the world of children's film production offers a further opportunity for exchange.