As Part of Zlín Industry Days, We Will Honor Two Global Figures in Children's Film
02. May 2025
One of the highlights of the professional section of the 65th Zlín Film Festival will be the presentation of lifetime achievement awards to two exceptional individuals whose work has shaped the world of children's cinema – Jo-Anne
Blouin from Canada and Felix Vanginderhuysen from Belgium. Both laureates have significantly influenced the international festival and distribution scene, and their careers stand as proof of their selfless dedication to young
audiences.
The awards will be presented on Sunday, June 1, at the Zlín Congress Centre.
Jo-Anne Blouin and Felix Vanginderhuysen are names that resonate throughout the film world.
They are connected not only by their long-standing work in the field of children's cinema but also by their deep belief that even the
youngest audiences deserve high-quality, original, and meaningful filmmaking. That is why they will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award this year.
Jo-Anne Blouin is the founder and long-time director of the FIFEM Festival in Montreal, which has made a crucial contribution to the development of independent children's filmmaking in North America. As she herself says:
We didn’t do it for awards or fame, but out of conviction. When I started, there was a void in children's cinema in Montreal. Today, we are witnessing a revival of children's filmmaking in Quebec, with original stories being created.
Felix Vanginderhuysen has been involved in promoting children's film since 1978 through distribution, education, and festivals. He is the founder of ECFA (the European Children's Film Association), which connects European initiatives and supports international cooperation.
I never sought recognition – I did my work with joy. If today someone considers it worthy of acknowledgment, I am grateful,
he says with humility.
Both award recipients also have strong ties to Zlín. It was here that they first encountered the Czech film tradition in person – an experience that deeply influenced them. Jo-Anne Blouin recalls her first visit to Zlín alongside Rock Demers as a magical experience. And Felix Vanginderhuysen describes his first trip to what was then Gottwaldov in 1979 as a moment when a new world beyond Disney films opened up to him:
In the evenings, we would often sit in the hotel bar with Zdeněk Miler, who would draw little moles for us on beer coasters.
The Zlín Film Festival sees their awards not only as a thank you for their lifelong work but also as an inspiration for future generations of creators, producers, and festival organizers. As Jo-Anne Blouin says:
The most important thing is to have a long-term vision and to believe that young audiences deserve the very best.
Jo-Anne Blouin and Felix Vanginderhuysen will be honored as part of the professional program Zlín Industry Days on Sunday, June 1, at the Zlín Congress Centre. The evening will also include a talk show with both award recipients.
You can read the full interview with Jo-Anne and Felix here.