The members of the Children’s Jury in Generation Kplus

Nathan J. Frank

Midori Fuchs

Hannah Kähler

Ilayda Koyuncu

Lasse Kühlcke

Jascha Richter

Anaïs Rother

Alanza Schmidt

Joseph Askar Schönfelder

Gustav Wallgren

Béla Eric Winde

give the following awards:

Crystal Bear for the Best Film: Min lilla syster (My Skinny Sister)

by Sanna Lenken, Sweden / Germany 2015

The film’s unique perspective, stunning performances and challenging theme really touched our hearts.

Special Mention: Dhanak (Rainbow)

by Nagesh Kukunoor, India 2014

This year, we chose a colorful, touching and humorous film. The story and the performances of the young protagonists impressed us deeply.

Crystal Bear for the Best Short Film: Hadiatt Abi (Gift of My Father)

by Salam Salman, Iraq / Great Britain / Netherlands / USA 2014

We liked the short film because it is sad and touching at the same time. Based on a true event, the film is shocking and striking, with the last scene in particular being really convincing.

Special Mention Short Film: The Tie

y An Vrombaut, Belgium 2014

The story is thrilling and sweetly told, a film made for all generations. We were enchanted by the exciting animation.

The members of the International Jury Generation Kplus

Bettina Blümner

Tom Hern

Michal Matus

give the following awards:

The Grand Prix of the Generation Kplus International Jury for the best feature film, endowed with € 7,500 by the Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk: Dhanak (Rainbow)

by Nagesh Kukunoor, India 2014

This dynamically-directed film delivers joy and heartbreak in equal measure - the young brother and sister at its heart and the unbreakable love between them are irresistible. As we journey across the country with these two young people, we become deeply invested in their quirky “against all odds” quest. We were constantly surprised by the twists and turns in their journey, and the unusual, eccentric characters that awaits them at each and every juncture! Filled with color, magic, music, spontaneity and a plenty of emotion, this film lives up to its name and delivers a celebration of life to savor long after the end credits roll!

Special Mention: Min lilla syster (My Skinny Sister)

by Sanna Lenken, Sweden / Germany 2015

The script of this feature film is well-balanced and thoughtfully structured. The direction is considered and convincing, and the performances - particularly that of its talented young leading lady ­- are superb. Despite tackling a challenging issue head-on, the filmmakers succeed in delivering real humor and charm as well as uneasy tension and visceral emotion.

The Special Prize of the Generation Kplus International Jury for the best short film, endowed with € 2,500 by the Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk: Giovanni en het waterballet (Giovanni and the Water Ballet)
by Astrid Bussink, Netherlands 2014

This exceptionally charming, laugh-out-loud-hilarious, piece of cinema about a very special, charismatic boy with an unusual dream, not only won the hearts of Generation Kplus audiences, but ours too! We are endeared by the priceless, intimate moments that we are invited to share with the film’s hero and heroine. We conclude that such honest moments could only be captured by a filmmaking team that had truly earned the trust of their subjects - and for this, we applaud the director and the team. This film is visually dynamic, funny and has a poignant, inspiring, although understated message. Simply put, we fell in love with this boy. 

Special Mention: Agnes
by Anja Lind, Sweden 2014

This delicate, sensitive film invites the audience into a very young protagonist’s perspective - where we are able to understand and empathize with her hurt and vulnerability. The restrained performances are pitched at befittingly natural level and the cinematography and sound support the story beautifully whilst never becoming obvious.

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