The fourth edition of KinoKino – International Film Festival for Children was closed after announcing the winners and with the award ceremony in cinema Europa. The professional and the children’s jury made their decisions about the winners and there was also the Audience Award.

The professional jury this year consisted of Marjo Kovanen, film educator from Finland, Olja Savicevic Ivancevic, one of our most well-known writers whose works are often adapted for theatre and for the big screen, and Cejen Cernic, the director of the last movie about Koko, ‘The Mystery of Green Hill’ which earned her the best debut award at the 64th Pula Film Festival.

The award for The Best Feature Film the professional jury awarded to German-Kenyan movie Supa Modo by Likarion Wainaina because ‘it celebrates life, the importance of community in every individual’s life, power of the imagination and film itself. Even though it speaks about the topic that is often put under the rug – death, the film isn’t dark or sad, but a joyful ode to beauty, happiness and the importance of every individual. All this is visible through the perspective of a wonderful protagonist who truly is a superhero.’

The professional jury gave the special mention to The Witch Hunters by Rasko Miljkovic saying, ‘The film is an exciting and funny adventure that extremely bravely and openly speaks about important and never before seen themes in children’s movies. It also reminds us about the importance of imagination without which our lives can’t be fullfilled, about the importance of friendship and support in everything we do. To each other we’re everything and these everyday superheroes and their everyday struggles and great victories over their demons are our inspiration, motivation and strength. We thank them for it!’

The children’s jury of KinoKino festival consisted of five students: Margarita Belan, Luna Culjak, Kan Priselac Novacic, Jakov Situm and Hugo Stedul. They gave the award for The Best Feature Film to a Danish movie called I Am William by Jonas Elmer, mostly because they thought it is original and unpredictable, adding that ‘the film is a hybrid and from every genre it took its best. Some scenes may be typical, but are creatively made and fresh. The film can make you laugh, cry and inspire. Even though it is a feature film, it’s real because every event and every character can be found in every day life. We would recommend the film I Am William to everyone because everybody can learn something from it.’

The Audience Award went to the Dutch film My Extraordinary Summer With Tess by Steven Wouterlood who accepted the award himself.