The 31st SCHLiNGEL International Film Festival for Children and Young People opened on 2 October at the Chemnitz Opera House with the German production 'Sammy und Frida – Chaos mit Sense' (international title: Just Call Me Frida). At the heart of Katja Benrath’s film is Frida, the “little Death in training”, who is set to discover life alongside young Samuel. As part of the opening ceremony, the Chilean animation pioneer Vivienne Barry was awarded the Ehrenschlingel for her life’s work. This year’s festival focuses on Poland.
The Ecumenical Jury awards its prize across all competition categories to a film from the Children’s Film, Junior Film (for 11- to 13-year-olds) and Youth Film (aged 14 and over) categories. Further films are screened in the Short Film Competition, the national competition ‘Blickpunkt Deutschland’ and the International Animated Film Competition, as well as in side programmes.