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| Young audience in Multikino in Gdańsk |
This year’s edition was held simultaneously in four cinemas in four cities: Silver Screen in Gdynia, Culture Centre in Wejherowo, Multikino in Gdańsk and Światowid in Elbląg. Some of the screenings were with audio description, for children who are blind or partially sighted.
During this film review for children, that took place from 15th till 19th September, the young audiences had a chance to watch the newest - such as “Peter and Wolf"- and classic Polish films for children and Youth, but also films from Russia, Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Iran. Mr. Stanisław Jędryka - director of such films as "Paragon gola" (“Go, Paragon") "Podróż za jeden uśmiech" (“Journey for one smile") or "Wakacje z duchami" (“Holidays with ghosts") was a special guest of this year screenings.
Because we celebrate 60 years of Polish animation this year, the organizers invited many film directors and producers connected with this type of film. Children could become acquainted with Ewa Sobolewska, Marian Cholerek, Wiesław Zięba, Eugeniusz Gordziejuk and Zbigniew Żmudzki.
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| Marian Cholerek and young spectators |
There were also some contests organized, we could hear the results of two of them during the ending gala on Friday.
Young audiences of the Festival’s 4 cinemas and the Web-surfers could choose their most favorite character form the list of Polish animated films. There was no surprise when we saw the voting results: in internet the winner was Miś Uszatek, by the cinema spectators - Koziołek Matołek won the prize. The certificates of honour were given to the representatives of the film studios, where the characters were created. They were presented by Mrs. Athina Rikaki - President of CIFEJ. CIFEJ is the international organization of institutions and film festivals for children and youth. It was established 53 years ago, has 52 state members and associates 135 organizations. Poland is one of the co-founder of CIFEJ. Mr. Andrzej Jasiewicz - President of Circle Directors of Films for Children and Youth at the Polish Filmmakers Association thanked especially the Marshal of Pomerania Voivodeship and Gdynia’s President for the patronage and support of this year festival’s edition.
We got also the results of drawing contest - children from 4 schools were to draw the film story about adventures of the creatures’ from the Polish Cinema for Young Audiences logo. The most interesting story was painted by children from the Culture Centre in Wejcherowo.
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The very special thing about "Gdynia for children" review is that from the very beginning till now it is organized by the same group of people - who have extraordinary passion for children and films -founder - Mr. Andrzej Jasiewicz and Ms. Agnieszka Mazińska (the main organizer of the review) from the Polish Filmmakers’ Association, Mr. Bogdan Smagacki - the actor, who moderates the screenings. The review has also many friends from film studios in Warsaw, Bielsko - Biała, Łódź or Poznań.
All the "Gdynia for children" reviews starting from 2004 are organized within the framework of Polish Cinema for Young Audiences Programme coordinated by the Polish Filmmakers’ Association, co-finances by the Ministry of Culture.
