The program structure of the festival has a clear and understandable profile: a festival of films starring children and adolescents. In practice, this means that the festival almost exclusively presents films
FOR children & youth and ABOUT children & youth. Films about children & young people are aimed more at an adult audience, which naturally fulfils the festival's vision of being a
film festival for the whole family, with the unique added value of the diversity of cultures and traditions that world cinema offers. An important aspect is to
educate children and young people to be more open-minded and tolerant in their views, as well as to set the perception of film as a medium that mediates
generational, creative, and social dialogue.
The film program consists of two basic program blocks and their sections, the overview of which is firmly anchored in the festival's statutes. The basic pillar of the program structure is the
competition sections, which include feature films, short animated films, student films, and feature documentaries. In the out-of-competition sections, the content is slightly adjusted each year to respond
to current themes or trends.
Children and adolescents in different life situations form the main content line in the competitions.
International Competition of Feature Films for Children under 10 Years of Age
A collection of eleven films for children aged 6 and up, representing the best of international children's filmmaking over the last year. They are intended not only to entertain and develop the imagination, but also to provide insights
into the lives of children in other parts of the world.
International Competition of Feature Films for Teenagers aged 11 and over
Six titles from different countries around the world aimed at older children, offering not only themes of the search for personal and social identity, but also quality entertainment against the background of different cultures,
traditions, and values.
International Competition of Feature Films for Young People aged 15 and over
Aimed at young people who want to learn more about themselves and the lives of their peers elsewhere, this section brings together six quality films whose protagonists face not only the typical challenges of their teenage lives, but also
the complexities of adapting to a new culture, environment, or situation.
International Competition of Short Animated Films for Children up to 12 Years of Age
Fifty short animated films for the youngest children aged 3 years and older. They are arranged in selections according to the age of the viewer and represent the best of what has been produced in animation worldwide in the last year. The
emphasis is not only on quality, but also on the diversity of animation techniques and processing.
European Feature Documentary Competition for Young Audiences
A collection of seven European documentaries that creatively capture the real-life joys and concerns of children and teenagers in Europe and beyond. The section is organized jointly with the European Children's Film Association (ECFA).
International Competition of Student Films Zlín Dog
Fifty titles that have made it through to the finals in a wide competition. Animated, fiction, and documentary films are represented, and they definitely have something to tell us. The student work is unique, full of innovative
perceptions and themes that resonate not only with the young.
World Panorama of Children's Film
A survey of children's films made in the last year in the global sphere. Many of them have been successfully screened at numerous children's festivals and offer a wide and inspiring range of genres and treatments.
Beyond the Horizon of Childhood
A collection of films not for children, but rather for teenagers and adults. The main protagonists are children or young people, the processing and content of the film message is directed towards an adult audience.
Festival Laurels from All over the World
A curated selection of films featuring young protagonists that have been screened at renowned film festivals in Cannes, Toronto, Venice, Tallinn, and Annecy.
European Web Series for Teenagers
A taste of European series for young audiences, both as inspiration and as a phenomenon for today's young generation. Seven series from Norway, France, Spain, Denmark, Italy, Germany, and Belgium.
New Czech Film and TV
A showcase of the latest Czech productions for children and young people, as well as films with themes of family and young people. It includes films intended for cinema distribution as well as TV and series productions.
Top Teen Ten
or ten movies you should see if you're a teen. A curated selection of the best in filmmaking for young audiences over the last five years.
Special Mention
Films shown on the occasion of important anniversaries, commemorations, or other social events.
Neighbourhood
A travelling series of animated films for children, compiled by the dramaturges of three children's festivals: the International Film Festival SCHLiNGEL (Germany), the International Young Audience Film Festival Ale Kino! (Poland), and the
Zlín Film Festival.
