From the Robber Hotzenplotz to Winnetou: Exciting films for Kids

Ten films aimed specifically at children and youths aged between 4 and 14 will be screened at the 18th Zurich Film Festival (Sept 22-Oct 2). The list of titles includes the Swiss films DE RÄUBER HOTZENPLOTZ and COLOMBINE. Also screening will be a short film made by the kids in the new ZFF for Kids-“Studio by Generali & filmkids.ch”. They will also as part of a ZFF for Kids-Workshop produce the brand-new music video for the singer Stefanie Heinzmann.     

At the first-ever ZFF for Kids “Studio by Generali & filmkids.ch”, 10 children spent six months learning how to make a professional film. They developed their own story, wrote the script, played the main roles, directed the cast and operated the camera. And a major highlight of the project comes when the finished film HENRIETTA has its premiere at this year’s ZFF. Thanks to the collaboration with Generali Switzerland and its music promotion programme “Lion Kids by Generali and Swiss Music Awards” the latest song from Lion Kids ft. Stefanie Heinzmann “Our Time is Coming” is also the theme song of HENRIETTA, and will be performed for the first time by Stefanie at the premiere.

As a further highlight, the brand-new music video to accompany the song will also be shot during several of the numerous “ZFF for Kids” workshops. The shoot will take place on September 10 and 11 at Folium Sihlcity and is implemented by Generali Switzerland. Interviews with Stefanie Heinzmann will be possible on both days. Please contact media@zff.com directly with “ZFF for Kids: Interview” in the subject line. Additional interviews are possible at the world premiere of the short film and title song on 25 September at Arena Cinemas Sihlcity.

It has been the aim of the Zurich Film Festival for many years now to awaken a passion for cinema and an interest in the language of film in kids and adolescents. In its “ZFF for Kids” section, the festival presents nine culturally valuable children’s films from around the globe. “Particular emphasis is placed on encouraging exchange between kids, experts and film workers. Guests attend every screening, and are on hand to answer questions and help put content into context,” says Christian Jungen, Artistic Director of the Zurich Film Festival. “This is particularly true for the film DER JUNGE HÄUPTLING WINNETOU, which led to an exciting debate, one that we will return to in the discussion that follows the screening.”

In addition to light and entertaining films, a special focus this year is also placed on films that explore current affairs and broach challenging topics. Examples include the world premiere screening at ZFF of COLOMBINE, the story of a girl’s search for her father; HENRIETTA addresses the subject of mobbing, and MY ROBOT BROTHER tackles the use of electronic devices. The grand premiere of DE RÄUBER HOTZENPLOTZ s guaranteed to make the fun from the popular series of children’s books palpable for everybody at the ZFF.

The complete programme of the 18th Zurich Film Festival will be published on Thursday, September 8, from 12 noon on our Website. Follow us on our social media channels for more updates. Ticket sales start on September 12.

COLOMBINE

World Premiere
Drama
Switzerland, France, 2022
Director: Dominique Othenin-Girard
Cast: Eléa Dupuis, Marie Fontannaz, Jean Aloïs Belbachir, Yvette Théraulaz, Christian Gregori,
Age: Recommended for age 8 or older

Colombine finally wants to know who her father is. But her mother vehemently refuses to tell her. With the help of Mathilde the greengrocer, Colombine obtains a magic potion that transports the 12-year-old several months back in time to the “Fête des Vignerons” wine festival in Vevey. There, Colombine must summon up all her courage to uncover the secret of her father.

DE RÄUBER HOTZENPLOTZ

International Premiere
Adventure
Germany, Switzerland, 2022
Director: Michael Krummenacher 
Cast: Nicholas Ofczarek, Luna Wedler, Olli Dittrich, Heidi Kriegeskotte and August Diehl
Age: No age restriction

This can’t be true! The robber Hotzenplotz has stolen grandmother’s coffee grinder. Together, the friends Kasperl and Seppel devise a plan to retrieve the stolen good, but fall into the hands of the crook. Will the friends still manage to put a stop to Hotzenplotz the robber? Just in time for the 60th anniversary of Otfried Preussler’s classic children’s book, the new film adaptation is released. Fun and excitement guaranteed!

HENRIETTA 

World Premiere
Drama
Switzerland, 2022
Directors: By Kids for Kids
Cast: Julia Guggenberger, Raphael Birlo, Anastacia Imfeld, Elisa Elmali, Carolina Schwarz, Oliva Lange, Marcel Birlo, Alisa Shlomenko
Age: Recommended for age 6 or older

After the death of her father, Emilia moves to the city with her mother. But at her new school, she finds it difficult to connect with the people around her and make friends. Only the curious Wolfgang seems to understand her, and he entrusts her with his turtle Henrietta, who brings about an incredible change in Emilia’s life. HENRIETTA was made in the ZFF for Kids Studio by Generali & filmkids.ch and was filmed by kids for kids.

DER JUNGE HÄUPTLING WINNETOU

Swiss Premiere
Adventure 
Germany, 2022
Director: Mike Marzuk
Cast: Mika Ullritz, Milo Haaf, Lola Linnéa Padotzke, Mehmet Kurtulus, Anatole Taubman, Tim Oliver Schultz
Age: Recommended for age 6 or older

The 12-year-old chief’s son Winnetou still has a lot to learn if one day he is to take over his fathers skills. When Chief Intschu-tschuna announces that the buffaloes that are supposed to get the Apache people through the winter have disappeared, Winnetou sees a chance to gain his father’s respect! Together with his sister and the orphan boy Tom, he embarks on a dangerous adventure to save the Apache people.

DETECTIVE BRUNO

Premiere in the German-language realm
Adventure
Poland, 2022
Director: Magdalena Nieć, Mariusz Palej
Cast: Piotr Głowacki, Iwo Rajski, Karolina Gruszka
Age: Recommended for age 8 or older

For his birthday, eight-year-old Oskar receives a clue about a mysterious treasure hunt left to him by his deceased parents. He immediately hires the best detective he knows: The star of the popular TV series “Detective Bruno”. Together, the two embark on a turbulent paper chase and discover far more than just the next clue. A heart-warming family adventure to guess along with!

ICARE / ICARUS AND THE MINOTAUR

Adventure
Luxembourg, France, Netherlands, 2021
Director: Carlo Vogele
Production: Nicolas Steil, Jean-Michel Rey
Age: Recommended for age 6 or older

For Icarus, the son of the inventor Daedalus, the island of Crete is full of secrets. When he meets the young minotaur Asterios one day, the two quickly become friends. But when King Minos gives his father a secret mission, Icarus realises that his new friend is in great danger. With enchanting animations, ICARE presents the Greek saga of Daedalus and Icarus as an adventure for young and old alike.

JOURNEY TO YOURLAND

Premiere in the German-language realm
Adventure
Slovakia, Belgium, Czech Republic, 2022
Director: Peter Budinský
Production: Peter Badač, Barbora Budinská, Jan Hameeuw
Age: Recommended for age 6 or older

With his most faithful companions, a robot and a goldfish, the young and imaginative Riki embarks on important missions. When he finds a magic stone one day, it takes him to the breathtaking parallel world of Yourland. But Riki must fight for this little treasure in order to save Yourland and his own world. A great animated film for all who dare to let their imagination run wild.

LUCY IST JETZT GANGSTER

Premiere in the German-language realm
Comedy
Germany, Netherlands, 2022
Director: Till Endemann
Cast: Valerie Arnemann, Violetta Arnemann, Brooklyn Liebig, Lisa Marie Trense, Kostja Ullmann, Franziska Wulf, Kailas Mahadevan, Esther Schweins
Age: Recommended for age 6 or older

10-year-old Lucy is too good for this world! She helps out in her parents’ ice cream parlour and puts a smile on everyone’s face with her dad Pietro’s delicious ice cream creations. But then disaster threatens: The expensive ice cream machine breaks down and the parlour is on the verge of closing. Lucy sees only one way out and plans the top-secret mission “Operation Lucyfer” together with the class crook Tristen. Will it end well?

MY ROBOT BROTHER

Premiere in the German-language realm
Science-Fiction
Denmark, 2022
Director: Frederik Meldal Nørgaard
Cast: Selma Iljazovski, Philip Elbech, Lars Brygmann, Kristin Holm Joensen
Age: Recommended for age 10 or older

In a not-too-distant future, children have robots as companions. For 11-year-old Alberte, this doesn’t make everyday school life any easier. She is ashamed of her outdated android companion Robbi, who attracts the ridicule of her classmates. When she gets a brand-new model as a present, her popularity soars. But can a robot really be a real friend?

SHABU

Swiss Premiere
Docudrama
Netherlands, Belgium, 2021
Director: Shamira Raphaëla
Production: Nienke Korthof, Willem Baptist
Age: Recommended for age 12, approved for age 6 and older

14-year-old Shabu is bubbling over with creativity and dreams of a great music career, for which he practices a lot. But after wrecking his dear grandma’s car, he is forced to sell water ice in the apartment block to pay for the damage. But the boy with big plans is not alone and finds support from his friends and the warm-hearted neighbourhood. A summery feel-good movie for the whole family.