YOUNG FILM FESTIVAL

Exciting new cinematic horizons for our younger audience: At the YOUNG FILM FESTIVAL we show you international films for children and teens.

Here we want to introduce a young audience to cinema and initiate its enthusiasm for this medium. Your children and teens can make their first experiences and discoveries with and in the cinema.

The YOUNG FILM FESTIVAL includes seven films for children, teens and you, families and schools, parents and teachers. But it offers the young viewers even more than just film screenings: In addition to an educational framework, we also want to enable children and teenagers to get in touch with the filmmakers. And in our workshops and cooperations with schools, audiovisual perception is trained in a playful way, attention is encouraged and talking and thinking about film is encouraged.

Reservations for entire school classes are possible; accompanying teachers receive free admission.
Classes that make a reservation will also receive educational materials to accompany the screenings.
Registration via: jungesfilmfest[at]iffmh.de
Information: +49 (0)621 489 262 65
Regular ticket sales start on Monday, 19 October 2026.

Our 2026 programme for young film fans

Dante
short info
Director: Linda HambäckCountry: Sweden, Denmark, Norway
2026 | 76 min. | SwedishSynchronization in GermanFSK 0Age recommendation: 5-10
After a spectacular bank robbery, suspicion falls on the loyal employee Helge – of all people. On the run, he is helped by Dante, a clever and quick-witted rat. Thrilling! Helge’s dearest wish is to become bank manager. No sooner has his dream come true that someone robs his bank. Helge, now a suspect, is forced to flee. On the run, he meets the funny rat Dante, who lets him hide out at the scrapyard. Together, the two set out to find the real culprit. But that is easier said than done. – An exciting, funny, and lovingly drawn crime story full of adventure, about the priceless value of friendship, false prejudice, and the truly important things in life. The Swedish director and producer Linda Hambäck graduated from the Swedish Institute of Dramatic Art. She initially produced several highly acclaimed shorts. Today, she primarily makes animated films for children. Following several internationally successful works, her film ›The Ape Star‹ (2021) was nominated for the European Film Award.
Gugu's World
short info
Director: Allan DebertonCountry: Brazil
2026 | 93 min. | PortugueseSubtitles: GermanFSK 12Age recommendation: 12-16
Gugu loves football. And jewelry and make-up – and his grandmother. When she falls ill and can no longer take care of him, his world is thrown out of balance. Gugu is almost twelve and dreams of becoming a football player. He lives with his lively and loving grandmother. With her, Gugu can be completely himself: wearing make-up, dancing, being free. The boys who bully him at school are far away here. When his grandmother develops dementia, the life Gugu has known risks to disappear. He has to move in with his father, who does not want to accept him as he is. Gugu, however, isn’t about to give up his old life without a fight. – With plenty of good humor, ›Gugu’s World‹ paints a colorful portrait of a wonderfully idiosyncratic, yet also fragile world. Allan Deberton studied film at Fluminense Federal University. Since then, the Brazilian director’s films have screened at countless film festivals and have already received more than 70 awards. The 44-year-old’s debut feature, ›Pacarrete‹ (2019), was nominated for a Golden Globe.
Iron Boy
short info
Director: Louis ClichyCountry: France, Belgium
2026 | 90 min. | FrenchSynchronization in GermanFSK 6Age recommendation: 7-14
Being different and having the courage to follow your own path. Heartwarming cinema that takes you away - for the whole family! Suddenly, Christoph’s body starts leaning to one side and he falls over. It keeps happening. And once it gets him into an accident while riding the tractor – the 11-year-old regularly helps out on his family’s farm – it can no longer be ignored: something is wrong. From now on, a metal brace – heavy and uncomfortable – is meant to help him and correct his posture. One day, he hears a church organ up close for the first time and is immediately captivated. Its sounds turn his world upside down. And then there is Clara. With her, even flying seems possible. – A great cinematic experience for the whole family that even defies gravity. French animator Louis Clichy previously directed ›Asterix: The Mansions of the Gods‹ and ›Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion‹. Before that, he worked at Pixar on films including ›Up‹. ›Iron Boy‹, his latest animation, which received several awards in Cannes and Annecy, draws on his own childhood experiences.
My Life in Versailles
short info
Director: Clémence Madeleine-Perdrillat, Nathaniel H’LimiCountry: France, Luxembourg
2025 | 81 min. | FrenchSynchronization in GermanFSK 6Age recommendation: 6-11
After a devastating loss, eight-year-old Violette finds herself in the world’s most famous palace. A tender and funny animated film about grief and new beginnings. After the death of her parents, the delicate Violette is sent to live with her uncle Régis. He is a grumpy giant of a man and the caretaker at the Palace of Versailles. At first, Violette doesn’t even want to speak to him. Gradually, however, the two lonely souls get to know one another. Violette allows her uncle to share in her grief, and Régis, in turn, lets the girl in on his own feelings. We learn that he was once a talented dancer. Nevertheless, their new-found happiness as a family does not come easy. – A sensitive story about how a rupture in life can also be a new beginning. Director Clémence Madeleine-Perdrillat co-created the series ›Irresistible‹ (2023) for Disney+, among other works. She teaches at the renowned Paris film school La Fémis and, like her co-director Nathaniel H’Limi, is also a children’s author. H’Limi is a graphic artist who studied at the École des Beaux-Arts. ›My Life in Versailles‹ is based on a short film they made together, which received numerous awards.
My Neighbor Totoro
short info
Director: Hayao MiyazakiCountry: Japan
1988 | 86 min. | JapaneseSynchronization in GermanFSK 0Age recommendation: 4-9
Who snores super loud, wears a green leaf on his head, and always has a big smile on his face? It’s Totoro – the best neighbor one could wish for! To be close to their mother, who is seriously ill, Satsuki and Mei move to the countryside with their father. The two sisters explore their new home with curiosity – and soon make wondrous discoveries. Little soot sprites inhabit the corners of the house and a gigantic, fluffy, friendly creature lives in the nearby woods: the forest spirit Totoro. And so begins a great adventure, complete with a wild ride on the Catbus! – Told through the eyes of the two girls, Hayao Miyazaki’s ›My Neighbor Totoro‹ (1988) has become an anime classic and one of the most beloved children’s films of all time – brimming with imagination and Japanese mythology. Hayao Miyazaki is one of the world’s best-known anime directors. Together with Isao Takahata, he founded the legendary Studio Ghibli in 1985. His enchanting films have delighted children and adults around the world ever since. He won Oscars for ›Spirited Away‹ (2001) and ›The Boy and the Heron‹ (2023).
Risa and the Wind Phone
short info
Director: Juan CabralCountry: Argentina
2025 | 94 min. | SpanishSynchronization in GermanFSK 6Age recommendation: 7-13
A telephone booth that lets you talk to the dead! A moving and warm-hearted story about grief, loss, and the strength to overcome them. An old, disused telephone booth in which you can talk to the dead? That can’t possibly exist, ten-year-old Risa thinks. But one night, something draws her there. She picks up the receiver – and hears the voices of the dead from her town! They ask Risa to take care of matters they couldn’t resolve while they were alive. And so, the girl fulfils the wishes of the dead. She is accompanied by her withdrawn neighbor Esteban, who is meant to look after her during the holidays. Risa firmly believes that the phone will eventually allow her to speak to her father one last time. Argentine director and writer Juan Cabral studied graphic design in Buenos Aires. He directs commercials, music videos and feature films. His second feature, ›Risa and the Wind Phone‹, had its world premiere in 2025 at the 40th Mar del Plata International Film Festival in Argentina, where it won the award for Best Director.
The Newcomers
short info
Director: Rodrigo PláCountry: Mexico, Spain
2026 | 80 min. | SpanishSynchronization in GermanFSK 6Age recommendation: 7-12
To discover the cause of a river’s pollution, three friends embark on a dangerous journey. A thrilling adventure about displacement and protecting the environment. Driven from their land, Tiana and her family seek refuge in Matteo’s village. At first, they are met with rejection. Gradually, though, Matteo and Tiana get to know each other. One day, shady figures in dark cars arrive at the village and start buying people’s land. Shortly afterwards, dead fish begin to float in the nearby river. Tiana and her new-found friends are determined to discover what is poisoning the river and who is responsible. To do so, they embark on a dangerous journey, facing many challenges along the way. – An exciting story about friendship, protecting the environment, and the courage of children. Born in Uruguay, 58-year-old Rodrigo Plá lives in Mexico City, where he studied screenwriting and directing. The director has already made numerous films. His debut feature, ›La zona‹, received an award at the 64th Venice International Film Festival. His following films also won prizes at the Berlinale in 2012 and the Istanbul International Film Festival in 2016.