We are pleased to anounce the Youth Jury of Cinekid Festival 2025. They will decide which film will take home the CJP Youth Jury Award this year.
Meet Dylan, Eline, James, June, Narcis and Nova! Who are they and why do they want to judge films?
I’m Dylan. I practice Thai boxing and I love gaming and playing outside with my friends. People around me say I’m always fun to be with and that I don’t like arguments. My favorite candy is M&M’s, and I can always go for some popcorn. Watching movies is one of the best things, and I think it would be super cool to ask the cast and crew questions about them. How does someone feel in a certain role? Would they do it differently next time? Has a director ever regretted a choice? I have so many questions!
Hi! I’m Eline, 13 years old, and I’m in my first year of high school. I love music, drawing, and I’m a big fan of Tim Burton films. I also often work as an extra in films and series, which I really enjoy doing. I love movies a lot. We often go to the cinema, and at home we often watch older films, for example by Tim Burton. I think it would be fun to watch the festival films together with others and then discuss what we thought of them and which one we liked best.
Hey, I’m James, 11 years old, and I’m in the final year of elementary school. I really enjoy Adam Sandler films. My favorite film is The Karate Kid (part 1). My hobbies are football, basketball, gaming, and of course watching movies together. I wanted to join the youth jury because I’ve seen a lot of films, I always like to watch them all the way through, and I often give them my own ‘stars.’ I know why I do or don’t like something, and I enjoy discussing that with my friends and parents.
I’m June, I’m 13 years old, and I’m in the second year of high school. I also play the saxophone and am in a band, where we mainly play jazz. I also play a little piano. I really enjoy music. I also like drawing and writing poems, as well as reading and being in nature. I have a very sweet cat named Vos. I wanted to join the youth jury because I find films fun and interesting. I’m also curious about how films are selected for awards. And I think it would be fun to watch films more closely to figure out which one is the best.
I’m 14 years old and I live with my mother and little sister in Dordrecht. I have been active in theater, dance, and singing for 7 years, and I’m a beginner piano and guitar player. On my phone, I make my own short films with my sister, neighborhood kids, and family members as actors. I write the scripts myself, add music, and edit the films on my own. I am very interested in filmmaking, and in the future, I want to become a director or professional actress. When I watch films, I don’t just focus on enjoying them, but also on the acting, lighting, sound, music, location, and camera angles. That’s why I want to join the jury: to share my opinion with other jury members about all the films we watch and ultimately compare them to choose a winner.
I’m Nova, I’m 12 years old, and I’m in the first year of VWO. My hobbies are hockey, theater, dance, singing, and of course, film! I also enjoy writing stories, and I love explaining and presenting things. I enjoy visiting big cities, especially to check out the latest fashion trends. I like watching series, cooking, and being creative. I’m crazy about films and always have an opinion on when a film is good or less good, and why. That’s why I think being on the youth jury would be an amazing experience!
These five films are this year’s nominees for the CJP Youth Jury Award:
The youth jury will announce the winner themselves during the CJP Awards Gala on Friday, October 24, and afterwards you can watch the winning film on the big screen. What else awaits you? That’s a surprise! Our team of junior presenters sets the vibe: from dress code to decorations, and maybe even a lineup with film stars. Expect fun, surprises, and a touch of Skibidi energy. This event is specially for you, don’t miss it!
This year, Cinekid is once again joining forces with CJP, the sponsor of the Youth Jury Award. Together, Cinekid and CJP ensure that children and young people maintain a curious and open-minded view of the world from an early age. For 60 years, CJP has made art and culture accessible to all young people in the Netherlands, enabling them to broaden their cultural tastes and horizons. For Cinekid, high-quality media and films are essential to connecting children with themselves and with others. With the CJP Youth Jury Award, CJP and Cinekid give young people a voice!