Kids Curating “Cinema in Sneakers” Festival
Kids Curating the Polish Cinema in Sneakers Festival
From June 7-17, Cinema in Sneakers Festival in Warsaw showcase the best pictures from around the world with the main theme being how it is to be a young person nowadays. Through 11 days, viewers have a chance to participate in talks, workshops and movie screenings.
Cinema in Sneakers
“Before we learn to read and write properly, we learn to look. It is important to do it in a brave and wise way.”- Cinema in Sneakers
Since 2013, festival organizers accompanied by experts and enthusiasts, have created a space for young people to learn how to be critical and find their own interpretations of movies. Cinema in Sneakers also aims at giving a chance for people of small privilege, like orphans or kids from less well-off homes, to participate in screenings free of charge.
What differentiate this festival from other initiatives? The kids and youth are actually in the jury, when movies are picked for the program: not only the viewers but active participators as well, shaping the festival every year. Before the opening, it is also for them to decide, which works are the ones to compete in the Feature Film and Short Film categories. The main prize for the winner, besides the check, is a unique pair of sneakers.
Why ‘in sneakers’?
Besides typically being connected to youth culture, sneakers provide freedom of movement and carries the bearer quickly ahead. This makes them an easy pick for a symbol of general freedom, speed and change. The name of the festival brings to mind journeys and adventures, which is what movies provide. And with the right movies and the proper frame of mind, they let the viewer travel through thought as well as through the plot.
Movie Tradition
Poland remain well known for one of its finest exports: film directors and cinematographers. With inspiration from Italian neorealism, ‘Polish school of film’, a trend in cinema between 1955-1965, brought names like Andrzej Wajda to international recognition, breaking up with aesthetics of social realistic movie making. In the 90’s, the iconic trilogy ‘Three colours’ of conceptually interlocking films made by Krzysztof Kieslowski became a huge international hit. A few years ago in 2013, Pawel Pawlikowski made his footprint with a black and white drama ‘Ida’ nominated at the Oscars. The movie premiered in Denmark as well.
Despite a decline in the number of art house cinemas in Poland, film lovers and devotees strive to follow the tradition and support movie education for young people. Initiatives like Cinema in Sneakers find backing by the Ministry of Culture, National Heritage, Polish Film Institute and other partners.
Danish contribution
The strong Danish tradition for animated movies are represented at this year’s Cinema in Sneakers by ‘Tigers & Tattoos’ (Tigre og Tatoveringer). The movie is the story of Maj, an orphan girl, who is living with her uncle Sonny, a tattoo artist. This unusual couple gets into different kinds of trouble and goes on a great journey together.
Denmark has its own way of communicating with kids and youth through the medium of movies. Sometimes the language or visuals is something quite different from the traditional children movie culture of other countries. Cinema in Sneakers is great opportunity for young people in Poland to see what they make of it!
Cinema in Sneakers
7-17 June
Warsaw
Besides screenings in Polish and with Polish subtitles, the Program includes a varied selection of movies in English.
To find more info about venues and the program, visit:
http://www.kinowtrampkach.pl/en/