Mar 04, 2021
Generation Kplus and 14plus: The Awards of the Generation International Jury

From a selection of a total of 15 feature films, and due to the pandemic with one jury for both competitions, the members of the International Jury of Generation – actress Jella Haase (Germany), director Mees Peijnenburg (Netherlands) and director/writer Melanie Waelde (Germany) - have announced the following winners:

Grand Prix for the Best Film in the Kplus competition

endowed with 7,500 Euros by the Deutsche Kinderhilfswerk (German Children’s Fund)

Han Nan Xia Ri (Summer Blur)
by Han Shuai
People’s Republic of China

Jury statement:
“This film convinces with its energetic strong visual power and its outstanding combination of all levels of filmmaking. Thereby it creates a summer fairy tale that dances on the edge of a nightmare. In every second, one could sense the heat, the thick air and the pressure that is on the main character. The focus is always on the children’s feelings, perspective and perception, which gives the possibility to share the pain of finding ourselves and our way.”

Special Mention in the Kplus competition

Una escuela en Cerro Hueso (A School in Cerro Hueso)
by Betania Cappato
Argentina

Jury statement:
“With beautiful, heart-warming and strong cinematic vision, the spectator gets invited to a hypnotic and spiritual journey. An intimate and personal film that leaves space and creates space, searches for the similarities, not the differences, looks openly into the world and thus enables a sensitive, hopeful vision of solidarity.”

Grand Prix for the Best Film in the 14plus competition

endowed with 7,500 Euros by the Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung (Federal Agency for Civic Education)

La Mif (The Fam)
by Fred Baillif
Switzerland

Jury statement:
“Like a rushing, energetic, pulsing heartbeat, this film pushes its characters and viewers in brutal honesty through different stories and incidents. Carried by captivating and strong acting performances it never loses its balance between power and vulnerability. The film pulls you in, never let’s go and hits straight to the heart.”

Special Mention in the 14plus competition

Cryptozoo
by Dash Shaw
USA

Jury statement:
“Portraying sensitive characters in a beautiful and brutal dystopian world, the film gives a ray of hope while it raises big questions. This outstanding artwork naturally handles topics like sex, gender, war, society and relationships. A stepping stone to question society and to never forget to use our imagination for new perspectives. A mind-blowing, disturbing, and visionary trip.”

“Stunned and amazed we discovered many different parts of the world and were invited to numerous beautiful, exciting and thrilling homes and realities. The films touched us deeply. Gratefully we experienced this beautiful mirror of society and we are thankful to all the brave filmmakers who hitchhiked us sharing their extraordinary visions,” so the three jurors.

The Crystal Bears awarded by the official Berlinale Generation Children’s Jury and the Youth Jury will be announced in an award ceremony during the Berlinale Summer Special in June. The independent Jury AG Kino Gilde 14plus which focuses on the Generation 14plus selection will also announce their award during the Summer Special.

Press Office
March 4, 2021