Berlinale 2011: Crystal Bears and Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk Awards in Generation Kplus

The members of the Children's Jury Generation Kplus

Ilenga Altuğ

Christian Becker

Merten Ebbert

Antonia Felsmann

Mascha Tabea Luise Leskien

Olivia Mirza

Jakob Oeschey

Paul Reichhoff

Lotta Schwerk

Jurek Stanislawski

Liv Thastum

give the following awards:

Crystal Bear for the Best Feature Film: Keeper'n til Liverpool
by Arild Andresen, Norway 2010

The story is funny and the young actors enthralling. We couldn't help laughing. An outsider becomes a hero because of a great love.

Special Mention: Mabul
by Guy Nattiv, Israel/Canada/Germany/France 2010

The tenderly developed story realistically portrays the life of a family at a very difficult time. We were especially impressed by the slowly developing loving relationship between the two brothers. The actors were brilliant.

Crystal Bear for the Best Short Film: Lily
by Kasimir Burgess, Australia 2010

We really love this film because of the touching and beautiful way in which a young girl looks after her ill father. This and the wonderful camera work created for us an unforgettable cinematic experience.

Special Mention: Minnie Loves Junior

by Andy Mullins and Matthew Mullins, Australia 2010

True love doesn't need words, at least not that many. That is what this touching story about two children on the beach in Australia has shown us. A small girl falls in love with a dreamy beachcomber who doesn't at first return her love but then literally takes a dive.

The members of the International Jury Generation Kplus

Mabel Cheung

Jonathan Davis

Felix Gönnert

Rachel Perkins

Taika Waititi

give the following awards:

Grand Prix of the Deutsche Kinderhilfswerk for the Best Feature Film, endowed with 7,500 Euro: Jutro będzie lepiej
by Dorota Kędzierzawska, Poland/Japan 2010 

The jury was struck by the beautiful combination of playfulness and humour within a tense story of survival. The film-makers, with assured direction and beautiful cinematography, have crafted a moving story set in a harsh world where children are free to control their lives but not their destinies. With exceptional performances that create light in the darkest of situations, this film impressively sets an intimate and personal story against an important political and social backdrop.

Special Mention: Keeper'n til Liverpool
by Arild Andresen, Norway 2010

We were impressed by this imaginative and confident story of a boy with no confidence, trying to navigate the rough road of adolescence, in search of love and courage. A great combination of subtle performance, keen humour and hilarious fantasy sequences, this film kept the jury and the audience tight within its grip.

Special Prize of the Deutsche Kinderhilfswerk for the Best Short Film, endowed with 2,500 Euro: Land of the Heroes

by Sahim Omar Kalifa, Belgium 2010

A mother sits at the breakfast table and tests a hand-held rocket-launcher. The longing for power is huge. But things can change quickly and the question remains unanswered - who is the winner? Through surprising turns and strong images, the filmmakers create a dense and exciting story about the absurdities of a society in which violence and oppression dominate.

Special Mention: Dimanche

by Patrick Doyon, Canada 2011

The engaging animation, combined with a sense of humour and understanding, transforms a boy's mundane Sunday into a journey of fantasy and enlightenment

Award ceremony and screening of the winning film today at 3.30 p.m. at the Haus der Kulturen der Welt, cinema 1.