Hanno Olderdissen’s coming-of-age tale Rock My Heart came out on top as the TIFF Kids Festival People’s Choice Favourite Feature Film award winner at this year’s 2018 TIFF Kids International Film Festival.
The People’s Choice Award for Favourite Short Film went to Andreas Bøggild Monies’ Shadow Boxer.
“TIFF Kids lets kids see themselves, their stories, and the stories of others reflected on screen from an early age, and this year’s lineup was particularly representative of this idea,” said Jennifer Barkin, Senior Manager of Programming, TIFF Kids. “Being able to provide the young people on the TIFF Kids Young People’s Jury with the opportunity to not only view, but engage with and think critically about these films, is something we’re extremely proud of. Congratulations to this year’s winners!”
TIFF KIDS FESTIVAL PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS
TIFF Kids Festival People’s Choice Award – Favourite Feature Film
Rock My Heart, dir. Hanno Olderdissen | Germany
International Premiere
Runner-up: Supa Moda, dir. Likarion Wainaina | Germany/Kenya
Canadian Premiere
TIFF Kids Festival People’s Choice Award – Favourite Short Film
Shadow Boxer, dir. Andreas Bøggild Monies | Denmark
Canadian Premiere
Runner-up: Beauty, dir. Christina Willings| Canada
World Premiere
TIFF KIDS FESTIVAL YOUNG PEOPLE’S JURY AWARDS
TIFF Kids Festival Young People’s Jury Award (ages 8–10) – Best Feature Film
The Witch Hunters, dir. Rasko Miljkovic | Serbia/Macedonia
World Premiere
About their selection, the jury said “both the lead actor and main character have partial cerebral palsy and that isn’t something we see in movies. It is a great learning experience for the audience.”
TIFF Kids Festival Young People’s Jury Award (ages 11–13) – Best Feature Film
The Breadwinner, dir. Nora Twomey | Canada/Ireland/Luxembourg
In discussing their selection, the jury noted that they were “moved by the portrayals of friendship, bravery, and perseverance in the film.”
TIFF Kids Festival Young People’s Jury Award (ages 9–13) – Best Short Film
Shadow Boxer, dir. Andreas Bøggild Monies | Denmark
Canadian Premiere
On choosing the film, the jury stated that “the film conveyed its challenging message in a positive light and reminded us that it’s important to persevere.”
Honorable mention goes to:
Mrs McCutcheon, dir. John Sheedy | Australia | Toronto Premiere.
The TIFF Kids Young People’s Jury Award for Best digiPlaySpace Installation
Kaleidoscope | Karina Smigla-Bobinski | Germany/Poland
North American Premiere
TIFF KIDS FESTIVAL ADULT JURY AWARDS
TIFF Kids Festival Adult Jury Award – Best Live-Action Short Film
Gold, dir. Abbe Hassan | Sweden
World Premiere
The TIFF Kids Festival Adult Jury selected Gold for its ”shattering look at the resilience and fragility of childhood.”
TIFF Kids Festival Adult Jury Award – Best Animated Short Film
Two Balloons, dir. Mark C. Smith | USA
Canadian Premiere
The jury noted that Two Balloons “is a stunningly animated film with delightful surprises around every corner. From its unique world and the way the mysterious premise steadily unfolds for the audience, to the tension it creates and the emotions it evokes, this film succeeds on every level.”