Held May 27th through June 2nd, this unique event has over almost a half century been the base for a selection of cinema for children from around the world, with the youngsters taking a part as jurors as well.

This year, Artistic Director Petr KOLIHA boasted an outstanding attendance of 58 000 viewers ! And 2219 accredited guests.

Appreciation was extended to BATA University in Zlin, Eastern Moravia, which for the 3rd year, supports the festival, providing premises for screenings, organisation of workshops and exhibitions of clapperboards. Founded by the Bata shoe magnate family, the University is unique in Czech Republic for its multimedia communication facilities.

Additional shouldering by the Governor of the Zlin Region, Czech TV, TESCOMA kitchen appliances and Czech Forests among others, has enabled the festival organisation to have screenings with free admission, a boost for the kids.

Another novely which proved very successful this year was the DRIVE-In Open-Air Cinema, attracting even viewers with sleeping bags in tow !

Mr. Koliha announces a NEW PARTNER for 2008 : the Kinofa distribution MULTIPLEX currently being built in Zlin close to the current main theatre and main hubub which will add 6 screening venues for increasing frequentation.

Also, an additional day will be added o to accommodate the rich activities, making it June 1st through 8th, 2008.

In a nutshell, Fest Director KOLIHA has plans to make the festival a leader in the European Community, supported as it is by M.E.D.I.A.

OFFICIAL SELECTION - COMPETITION AWARDS

The International Jury for Feature Films:

Golden Slipper for Best Feature Film for Children:
Little Heroes, directed by Itai Lev, Israel

Golden Slipper for Best Feature Film for Youth:
Leaps and Bounds, directed by Petter Naess, Sweden

City of Zlín Award – honorable mention of feature film for children:
Offside, directed by Arend Steenbergen, Holland

The Miloš Macourek Award – special recognition for a feature film for youth:
Vanaja, directed by Rajnesh Domalpalli, India,

Joint International Jury of Children and Experts for Animated Film:

Golden Slipper for Best Animated Film:
Tyger, directed by Guilherme Marcondes, Brazil

The Hermína Týrlová Award – for young artists under 35 years of age:
My Happy End, directed by Milen Vitanov, Germany

International Children’s Jury for Feature Film for Children:

Children’s Jury Main Prize for Best Feature Film for Children:
Off-side, directed by Arend Steenbergen, Netherlands

International Children’s Jury for Feature Film for Youth:

Children’s Jury Main Prize for Best Feature Film for Youth:
Leaps and Bounds, directed by Petter Naess, Sweden

International Jury for European Debuts:

The Europe Award:
Retrieval, directed by Sławomir Fabicki , Poland

Special Prize of the Jury:
Triple Dare, directed by Christina Rosendahl, Denmark

International Jury for Feature Films of Visegrad Countries:

The Czech Ministry of Culture Award:
White Palms, directed by Szabolcs Hajdu, Hungary

Viewer’s Prize:

Viewer’s Prize – feature film:
Maharal, directed by Pavel Jandourek, Czech Republic

Viewer’s Prize – animated film:
The Irresistible Smile directed by Ami Lindholm, Finland

FICC Jury:

Don Quixote Award:
Leaps and Bounds, directed by Petter Naess, Sweden

Ecumenical Jury:

Ecumenical Jury Award:
Antonia, directed Tata Amaral, Brazil

Recognition of Creative Contribution in Filmmaking for Children and Youth:
Beloved actress Libuše Šafránková of BABICKA fame