Children and teenagers are once again invited to Astra Film Junior, Romania's most comprehensive documentary-based education project. Designed for three age groups (6+, 11+, and 15+), Astra Film Junior 2024 features screenings in traditional cinema halls and full-dome projections at the New Media Dome Cinema, followed by discussions led by professionals. It also includes a comic strip contest and creative workshops (for primary school, 6+), creative writing (for middle school, 11+), and film-making (for high school, 15+). Astra Film Junior will take place from October 21-27, 2024, coinciding with many schools' "Green Week" or "Alternative School" programs.
Documentaries in the 6+ category teach children about self-confidence and courage ("The Girl Who Defies Gravity" by Jens J.V. Pedersen), discipline and perseverance ("The Shaolin Master's Daughter" by Therese Koppe), connection and unity ("Aikiddo" by Annabel Verbeke), diversity ("Bachir in Wonderland" by Els Duran), gender stereotypes ("Giovanni and the Water Ballet" by Astrid Bussink), and encourage them to identify and express their own emotions ("Little Cube's Emotions" by Ieva Benoît).
The films in the 11+ category (middle school) highlight the dangers of the online world ("Cyberbullying Experiences" by Eef Hilgers), explain the severity of climate change ("Fatou Fights Drought" by Irja von Bernstorff), and promote understanding concepts like resilience ("Our Island" by Lennah Koster), bullying ("Pride and Prejudice" by Mirjam Marks), ambition and success ("A Girl with Aspirations" by Camilla Magid), the consequences of armed conflicts ("A Girl Away from Home" by Alisa Kovalenko), and migration ("Refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh" by Katja Fedulova).
Films selected for the 15+ category (high school) are aimed at teenagers seeking to understand the importance of taking responsibility ("The Wooden Boy" by Eva Oosterveld), the issue of climate change and environmental activism ("Why We Fight" by Camille Etienne), concepts of human dignity and freedom ("Maydegol" by Servnaz Alambelgi), self-confidence and the desire to pursue your dream at all costs ("Shobe Rides the Wave" by Elizabeth D Costa), and the importance of personal decisions ("Dream. Life" by Ruxandra Gubernat).
The Educator's Profession program presents a screening dedicated to teachers and educational counselors ("Fighting Demons with the Help of Dragons" by Camila Magid), followed by discussion sessions.
Junior Weekend is a special program featuring three films aimed at both teenagers and their parents and teachers: "Food for Change" by Benoît Bringer (on food education and growing up healthily in a sustainable environment), "The Beginners" by Alban Teurlai (on the role of teachers in shaping students' character and values), and "Teenage Engineers" by Aleksandra Skowron and Hanna Polak (the link between emotions and the need to use social networks).
Astra Film Junior 2024 is a cultural project co-financed by the National Cultural Fund Administration. The project does not necessarily represent the position of the National Cultural Fund Administration. AFCN is not responsible for the content of the project or how the results of the project may be used. These are entirely the responsibility of the funding recipient.
Strategic Partner: Ministry of Culture
With support from the Sibiu County Council, the National Film Center, the Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany in Sibiu, the Romanian Filmmakers Union, and the Romanian Cultural Institute. The project is co-financed by the Sibiu Local Council through the Sibiu City Hall.
Sponsors: ING Bank, Groupama, Mecatronics, Artesana, Luthelo, Decathlon, TheRefresh
Recommended by: Europa FM
Main Media Partner: PRO TV, VOYO
Cultural Partner: TVR, TVR Cultural
Media Partners: TV5 Monde, Euronews Romania, Radio Romania Cultural, News.ro, G4media, Edupedu, Hotnews, Vorbitorincii, Tribuna, Turnul Sfatului, Sibiu 100%, Mesagerul de Sibiu, Ora de Sibiu, Sibiu Independent, Sibiul Azi, Hermannstädter Zeitung, Observator Cultural, MovieNews, Cinefan, Cinefilia, FILM Magazine, Cineuropa
Monitoring Partner: MediaTrust
