Zlin, South Moravia, Oct 3 (CTK) – The 57th International Film Festival for Children and Youth in Zlin to be held on May 26-June 3, 2017 will focus on Swedish cinema, festival spokeswoman Katerina Martykanova told CTK on Monday.
The organisers have been inspired by the 110-year birth anniversary of the most popular Swedish writer of children’s books, Astrid Lindgren (1907-2002), to be celebrated next year. A number of her works were adapted for the screen and stage.
“We have decided to choose Swedish cinematography as one of the key topics of the 57th festival also because in the film production for children and youth, it ranks among the best and most productive in the world,” Zlin festival artistic director Marketa Pasmova said.
Lindgren’s books and characters, such as Pippi Longstocking, Karlsson-on-the-Roof and the Six Bullerby Children, have been enjoyed by generations of children all over the world, she added.
A special festival section will present Lindgren’s works. Along with films, it will also offer other activities, such as adaptations for the theatre.
Lindgren received dozens of awards for her literary works, including the Medal of Hans Christian Andersen in 1958, which is considered the most prestigious decoration for a children’s books author. Besides, one literary award bears her name.
A separate section focused on Swedish cinema will include 30 full-length films for children and youth, said Pasmova.
The Zlin festival organisers cooperate with the largest Swedish international children and youth film festival held in Malmo and the institutions presenting Sweden in the Czech Republic, for instance, the Nordic Film Club and the Scandinavian House.
Visitors to the Zlin festival will also have a chance of getting acquainted with culture and life in Sweden, for instance, to play the Kubb traditional Swedish game, taste special Swedish dishes and listen to Swedish music, Pasmova said.
This year, the Zlin event, which is the world’s oldest and largest film festival of its kind, focused on French cinematography and it attracted a record high number of 125,000 visitors.
