The 17th China International Children’s Film Festival (CICFF) officially opened on October 20, 2024, in both Chengdu and Jinan. Over the course of seven days, 20 Chinese children's films and 15 international films from countries including Bulgaria, Germany, Russia, the Netherlands, Kazakhstan, the Czech Republic, Canada, Norway, Japan, Indonesia, and Iran were screened to audiences across both cities. During the closing ceremonies in Jinan and Chengdu, the Recommended Films of the 17th CICFF were officially announced, based on the joint selection by the International Expert Recommendation Committee and the Junior Film Critics Panel.
The recommended films fall into two categories:
The “Films I Want to Recommend” list, voted on by children from various age groups.
The Expert Jury Recommendations, selected by a panel of international and Chinese film professionals.
A total of 230 students were selected from primary, middle, and high schools in the host cities—Jinan, Chengdu, and Beijing—to form the Junior Film Critics Panel. Through a two-stage selection process, students were grouped into:
Primary School Section
Middle School Section
High School Section
Animation Section
Each group voted on and recommended films in four categories:
“Live-Action Film I Want to Recommend”
“Child Actor I Want to Recommend”
“Adult Actor I Want to Recommend”
“Animated Film I Want to Recommend”
A total of 10 films were selected through this process.
The International Expert Recommendation Committee consisted of six experienced professionals from China and abroad:
Huang Jianzhong, National First-Class Director (China)
Vassilis C. Karamitsanis, President of the International Centre of Films for Children and Young People (CIFEJ), UNESCO
Yue Hong, National First-Class Actress (China)
Gert Hermans, Editor-in-Chief, European Children’s Film Association (ECFA)
Ekaterina Bordacheva, CEO of the Moscow International Film Market & Russian Film Business Forum
Michael Harbauer, Director of the SCHLiNGEL International Film Festival for Children and Youth (Germany)
The committee selected 9 recommended titles across various categories from all participating films in the festival.
The official List of
Recommended Films
is as follows:
Primary School Students’ Favorite Children’s Film
Daddy Fish（China）
Primary School Students’ Favorite Child Performer
Danzengnaojie — portrays Dorje in The Song of Spring (China)
Primary School Students’Favorite Adult Performer
Pierre Mailloux — portrays Boivin in Coco Farm (Canada)
Junior Middle School Students’ Favorite Children’s Film
Schoolyard Sleuth（China）
Junior Middle School Students’ Favorite Child Performer
Alyssa van Ommeren — portrays Rosi in Lioness (Netherlands)
Junior Middle School Students’ Favorite Adult Performer
Liu Pan — portrays Teacher Fenti in Home by the River (China)
Senior Middle School Students’ Favorite Children’s Film
Like Father And Son（China）
Senior Middle School Students’ Favorite Child Performer
Zhang Jiacheng — portrays Acheng in Be Brave (China)
Senior Middle School Students’ Favorite Adult Performer
Hui Wangjun — portrays Gou Ren in Like Father And Son (China)
My Favorite International Animated Film
Dragonkeeper（China/Spain）
Best Performance by a Child Actress at the 17th China International Children’s Film Festival.
Shuareajia — appears in When We Bloom (China)
Recommendation from the International Expert Committee
Outstanding Young Actor: Shuareajia
In the film When We Bloom,
Shuareajia delivers a performance that is restrained, nuanced, soulful, precise, and deeply moving.
In recognition of this exceptional portrayal, we proudly present Shuareajia with the
“Young Actor of the Year” honor
at the 17th China International Children's Film Festival.
Best Performance by a Child Actor at the 17th China International Children’s Film Festival.
M. Aldifi Tegarajasa — appears in Tegar (Indonesia)
Recommendation from the International Expert Committee
Outstanding Young Actor: M. Aldifi Tegarajasa
In the film Tegar,
M. Aldifi Tegarajasa fully mobilized his strong will and emotional insight
to deliver a vivid and complete portrayal of the remarkable young protagonist.
His expressions and movements were exceptionally expressive and true to character.
In recognition of this heartfelt performance,
we are honored to present him with the
“Young Actor of the Year” award
at the 17th China International Children's Film Festival.
Best Performance by an Adult Actress at the 17th China International Children’s Film Festival.
Qubieawu — appears in When We Bloom (China)
Recommendation from the International Expert Committee
Outstanding Actor of the Year: Qubieawu
In the film When We Bloom,
actress Qubieawu delivers a heartfelt and authentic portrayal
of a Yi ethnic mother—kind, optimistic, diligent, gentle, and graceful.
With subtlety and restraint,
she brings forth a deeply moving character with remarkable emotional depth,
showcasing exceptional acting skills.
In recognition of her outstanding performance,
we are proud to present her with the
“Outstanding Actor of the Year” award
at the 17th China International Children's Film Festival.
Best Performance by an Adult Actor at the 17th China International Children’s Film Festival
Benoît Brière — appears in Coco Farm (Canada)
Recommendation from the International Expert Committee
Outstanding Actor of the Year: Benoît Brière
In the film Coco Farm,
Benoît Brière delivers an outstanding performance,
marked by expressive facial gestures and dramatic physicality.
His portrayal of the father figure is both believable and unforgettable,
bringing warmth, humor, and authenticity to the role.
In recognition of his exceptional acting,
we are honored to present him with the
“Outstanding Actor of the Year” award
at the 17th China International Children's Film Festival.
Best Screenwriting at the 17th China International Children’s Film Festival
Day Dreaming (China)
Screenwriter: Wang Zichuan
Recommendation from the International Expert Committee:
This is a script full of whimsical imagination and childlike charm.
The writer presents a unique perspective on the inner world of Zhu Tong, a third-grade student,
blending humor and seriousness with a touch of magical realism.
The narrative structure is distinctive, and the storyline is rich and layered.
We hereby award the honor of
“Screenwriter of the Year”
at the 17th China International Children’s Film Festival.
Best Directing at the 17th China International Children’s Film Festival
Weekend Rebels (Germany)
Director: Marc Rothemund
Recommendation by the International Expert Committee:
Director Marc Rothemund demonstrates exceptional talent in the film Weekend Rebels.
His direction shows great flexibility in guiding the actors, a precise sense of rhythm, and a strong personal style.
The visual language of the film is both delicate and rich.
He is hereby awarded the "Director of the Year" honor at the 17th China International Children's Film Festival.
Best Children’s Feature at the 17th China International Children’s Film Festival
Weekend Rebels (Germany)
Recommendation by the International Expert Committee:
The Best Feature Film of the Year
is awarded to Weekend Rebels,
directed by Marc Rothemund from Germany.
This is a well-crafted and heartwarming family film.
Through the captivating story of a father and son traveling across the country,
it sincerely conveys compassion and care for children with autism,
leaving a deep emotional impact.
Best Chinese Children’s Feature
Day Dreaming（China）
Recommendation by the International Expert Committee:
The Chinese children's film Day Dreaming
is a wonderfully imaginative and uniquely endearing work.
Its captivating storyline,
paired with distinctive characters,
presents a children's film that shines with originality.
Beneath its absurd and surreal surface,
the film pulses with the inner world of today’s rural schoolchildren—
a world that is both restrained and unbridled,
eager to follow the rules yet full of free-spirited wonder.
For its emotional depth and creative expression,
we proudly award it the honor of
"Special Jury Recommendation for a Chinese Children’s Film"
at the 17th China International Children’s Film Festival.
Best Animated Feature at the 17th China International Children’s Film Festival
Three Robbers and a Lion（Norway）
Recommendation by the International Expert Committee:
The Norwegian animated film Three Robbers and a Lion
is a story filled with thrilling adventures and comedic elements.
The animation features unique and expressive character designs,
with smooth movements and a lively pace,
making it an outstanding family-friendly animated film.
In recognition, it is hereby awarded the honor of
“Animation of the Year”
at the 17th China International Children’s Film Festival.
The China International Children’s Film Festival (CICFF), through film submissions and selections, officially announces a recommended list of outstanding Chinese and international children’s films. This initiative encourages and actively promotes global children’s film creation, documents the development trajectory of Chinese children’s cinema, fosters extensive international exchange in children’s filmmaking, and provides a nurturing environment for the growth of China’s children’s film industry.
