On the eve of the festival, curator Tobi Krell tells us what’s important to him in his work as program director of KINDERFILMFEST MÜNCHEN and where you can meet him during the festival.

What was the first movie you saw in a theater?

Quite classically, a Disney film. I think my very first movie was SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS. My second moviegoing experience is one I remember well: ALADDIN. I don’t know how many days I spent talking about nothing else.

Why should kids see movies on the big screen?

Because there’s no better place to really experience film as we understand it at the Kinderfilmfest: as a wonderfully varied, versatile, and magical art form. At least that’s how we want children to experience it.

What does a good children’s film need to have?

For me, it needs to take its audience seriously and trust the young viewers to think for themselves as they are experiencing it. I believe this is the only way to create a true fascination for and perhaps even love of the movies — both as a medium and as a place.

What was important to you in selecting the films?

Our selection aims to represent different cinematic styles and to show films that might not shout “children’s film” right away. We also aim to have something suitable in the program for all young people between ages 4 and 14 — which always makes the selection a bit tricky.

What’s new at the Kinderfilmfest this year?

There are a few things we want to try out this year and perhaps implement over the long term. We’re particularly proud to have, for the first time, a jury convened specially for us, which will evaluate all the films and present the first CineKindl Award. This award is generously sponsored by megaherz film + fernsehen GmbH. We’re curious to find out who’ll take home the trophy and prize money!

And where can you be found during the festival?

At the movies! I’ll be at all the screenings and events of the Kinderfilmfest. I’m really looking forward to welcoming the filmmakers to Munich and talking to our audience!