The National Day holiday has entered its third day, and the box office for new releases during this period has once again set records. Among the five top films — The Volunteers: Battle of Life and Death, 749 Bureau, Path of Fire, Crisis Flight, and Panda Plan — we can see a trend of films resonating with the celebratory atmosphere. Beyond these titles, how do families, particularly those with children, define their own movie-going experiences? Alongside Panda Plan, a comedy family film about kindness and social responsibility, and DreamWorks’ The Wild Robot, which conveys warmth and healing, what else can we offer children — this most special part of the world — to open up a multi-dimensional world of light and shadow?
At recent editions of the China International Children's Film Festival (CICFF), the phrase “Don’t forget we were all children once” has struck a chord with teachers, parents, and audiences. Watching Chinese and international children’s films at CICFF has built a bridge of connection between adults and children. Domestic films like A First Farewell, Once Upon a Donkey, Goodbye The Groundhog, and Sweet Potato Flavored Ice Cream allow us to experience the tacit communication of life, while international works like Romy’s Salon, Team Marco, and The Sun bring new perspectives on family life and shared humanity. Through children’s films, we attempt to exchange roles and see the world through a child’s eyes. As Russian modernist poet Voloshin once said, “Wander the world like a child”. Though we constantly switch social roles as we grow, one role remains — the child within us. Past childhood and the children before us remind us that “Children are unrecognized geniuses” who deserve society’s understanding and care.
As the heat of the National Day box office rises, let us shift to the perspective of children and explore how the upcoming 17th CICFF films can open new horizons for both children and adults.
01
China | Feature Film | 91 mins
Directors: Deng Yuan, Pan Jun
Recommended Age: 12+
Synopsis
Teenager Acheng, fueled by his passion for basketball, overcomes adversity and finally makes it to the provincial youth basketball competition. Will he fulfill his dream and create a miracle?
Based on the true story of one-armed basketball prodigy Zhang Jiacheng — a “Guangdong Model Teen of the New Era” — who also plays the leading role.
2024 China (Zhengzhou) Golden Elephant Children’s Film Week “Best Young Actor” (Zhang Jiacheng)
2024 San Diego International Children’s Film Festival “Best Feature Film” (Nomination)
2024 China (Zhengzhou) Golden Elephant Children’s Film Week “Best Director” (Nomination: Deng Yuan & Pan Jun)
Recommendation
The one-armed boy finds meaning and passion through basketball. Life is not only about wholehearted dedication but also about finding that miracle of growth hidden in the journey of pursuing one’s dreams.
02
Iran | Feature Film | 106 mins
Director: Morteza Ali Abbas Mirzai
Recommended Age: 10+
Synopsis
This film tells the real-life story of Alireza Beiranvand, goalkeeper of the Iranian national football team, who rose from a poor childhood to stardom. Before achieving his dream of defending his country’s team, he had to make countless tough decisions on his own.
Screened at the 40th Fajr International Film Festival (Iran)
Official Selection at 2024 Milan International Film Festival “Sports Film & TV” section
Screened at the 8th Kinolub International Film Festival for Children and Youth (Poland)
Recommandation
What makes a legend is not just dramatic turns of fate or sudden luck. Alireza’s childhood journey shows us a boy forced by hardship to make his own decisions and grow, driven by the dream of becoming extraordinary.
01
China | Feature Film | 100 mins
Directors: Chen Yingqi, Chen Ju Zhi
Recommended Age: 6+
Synopsis
“Star child” Moli, who is on the autism spectrum, transfers to Class 5(3) and initially feels lonely and isolated. Through the care of her teachers and classmates — the “Sunflower Squad” — and carefully designed group activities like the “10 o’clock appointment,” Moli gradually opens up, leaving behind beautiful memories of school life.
Selected for the 2023 China National Film Administration’s “Film Excellence” Special Fund.
Winner of “Best Screenplay” and “Best Actress” nominations at the 2nd Hong Kong Bauhinia International Film Festival.
Winner of the “Annual Outstanding Film” award at the 13th Beijing Internet Film Festival “Lightyear Cup.”
Screened at the Hong Kong FILMART, Shanghai International Film Festival, Malaysia Expo, and Chengdu Children’s Film Week.
Recommandation
Every child in China likely has precious memories of the nine years spent in a classroom with teachers and friends. Growth is about being seen, needed, and encouraged — as told by this once withdrawn transfer student.
02
Indonesia | Feature Film | 92 mins
Director: Anggi Frisca
Recommended Age: 6+
Synopsis
Ten-year-old Tegar, a boy with disabilities, dreams of going to school. After his grandfather — the only one supporting this dream — passes away, his mother opposes the idea, halting his plans to study and make friends. When his mother and nanny leave due to an emergency, Tegar sets out alone to pursue his dream.
Golden Butterfly Award for Best Film, Best International Film (C.I.F.E.J. Award), and Best Young Actor at the 2023 Isfahan International Children & Youth Film Festival.
Setagaya City Award at the 2023 KINEKO International Children’s Film Festival.
Gold Award for Best Film at the 2023 Rosd International Film Festival.
Nominee for Best Original Screenplay at the 2023 Indonesian Film Festival.
Recommandation
Although surrounded by love, Tegar faces a unique loneliness. His yearning for school and friends leads him on a challenging journey — one often invisible to “normal” people. Through Tegar’s perspective, we see the incredible strength of a child’s search for love and inclusion.
✦ ✦✦ ✦✦ ✦✦ ✦
As a group of relatively niche children’s filmmakers, our focus is the next generation — the minors who are still growing. Through each edition of CICFF, with its film selections and screenings, we aim to foster aesthetic education and emotional growth, gathering strength for the pursuit of truth, kindness, beauty, and dreams. We look forward to a future where children, through the spread of film education in schools, can better perceive the world, broaden their horizons, experience emotions, and grow holistically.
The 17th CICFF screenings will take place from October 20 to 26 in Chengdu and Jinan, with additional screenings in selected Beijing cinemas. 20 Chinese children’s films and 15 international children’s films from Bulgaria, Germany, Russia, the Netherlands, Kazakhstan, Czech Republic, Canada, Norway, Japan, Indonesia, Iran, and more will meet audiences as scheduled. Stay tuned for further updates.
✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦