The leading festival for kids will kick off with a bang at its new location in Amsterdam Noord, and in 40 other towns and cities across the Netherlands.
Cinekid Festival, the world’s biggest platform for children’s films and media, opens its 35th edition October 13 2021 with the world premiere of Captain Nova; a modern and thrilling sci-fi film from director Maurice Trouwborst.
Starting this year, Cinekid will be a national festival with a brand-new main hub at Pathé in the heart of Amsterdam Noord and other key locations across the whole country, from Groningen to Rotterdam.
As well as national and international premieres of films and series, from 13-31 October Cinekid will again be the place to go exploring in the MediaLab. There are daily masterclasses, workshops and other exciting activities, such as ‘meet and greets’. Altogether this makes Cinekid a truly unique experience and a fantastic family outing in the autumn holiday.
Opening film Captain Nova
Cinekid has been involved with Captain Novasince the beginning of its development. The contemporary children’s film was already selected back in 2018 for Cinekid’s Junior Co-production Market. In 2021 Captain Novais competing for the prestigious Cinekid Lion in two categories: Best Children’s Film and Best Dutch Children’s Film.
Heleen Rouw, managing director Cinekid: “It’s fantastic to be able to open the festival at our brand new location in Amsterdam Noord with Captain Nova. The film takes today’s children seriously and it’s also of extremely high quality. It’s an inspiration to both filmmakers and audiences! We are really looking forward to celebrating the 35th year of Cinekid this autumn, together not only with all the children in Amsterdam, but across the country!”
Derk-Jan Warrink, producer at Keplerfilm: “We are extremely proud and honoured that the world’s biggest children’s film festival has chosen our Dutch film Captain Novaas its opening film for 2021! Captain Novais a very first Dutch sci-fi family film that’s both a thriller and a comedy; it appeals to a wide audience. It will have you on the edge of your seat and, most importantly, it will plant a seed in the minds of the younger generation about the consequences of climate change. And what better place for that than Cinekid?!”
Cinekid in Amsterdam Noord
Cinekid has moved house this year from its old home at the Westergasterrein to Pathé Amsterdam Noord at Buikslotermeerplein, a lively location with big ambitions to develop into a cultural meeting place. Thanks to the Noord/Zuid line Cinekid is just a few minutes from Amsterdam Centraal, and easily accessible by everybody.
Councillor Esther Lagendijk: “This is great news for all the children in Amsterdam Noord. The fact that Cinekid Festival has come to Buikslotermeerplein is the first step in our big ambitions to make this place a cultural centre. A big welcome to the best children’s film and media festival in the world.”
Jacques Hoendervangers, General Director Pathé: “We are very proud that Cinekid has decided to base its fantastic festival in the new Pathé in Amsterdam Noord. For many children, a visit to the cinema will be their first cultural experience. Children are an important target audience for Pathé, and every year we show a large number of diverse children’s films. We’re already looking forward to the festival and can’t wait to welcome all the kids and their families to Pathé Amsterdam Noord, where they can enjoy the best children’s films on the big screen.”
About Captain Nova
This exciting sci-fi film begins in 2050. The earth is in such a terrible state that fighter-pilot Nova (Anniek Pheifer – Hoe mijn keurige ouders in de bak belandden) goes back in time to 2024 to try and prevent an environmental disaster. But because of the effects of time travel, she looks like her 11-year-old self and no one takes her seriously. The one exception is Nas (Marouane Meftah – Mocro Maffia), a teenager who helps her with her mission. Will the 11-year-old Nova (Kika van de Vijver), together with Nas, be able to save the world? Director: Maurice Trouwborst Writer: Lotte Tabbers (winner of a Cinekid Lion for Floor Rules and Zenith). Captain Novais in Dutch cinemas from December 1, courtesy of Gusto Entertainment.
About Cinekid
Cinekid seeks to amaze, entertain, and connect; and contribute to the development of children into independent, conscious and thoughtful world citizens. In order to reach this goal, Cinekid presents, produces, teaches and communicates with and about film and moving images in a language that children understand.
Cinekid is also the foremost international platform focused on the production of children’s films, with the aim of increasing the quantity and quality of productions and to make connections within the industry. Cinekid Festival will take place from 13-31 October across the country. The programme will be online from 30 September. At that moment ticket sales will start via cinekid.nl. Stay updated with the latest Cinekid news on cinekid.nl, Facebook, Instagram and the Cinekid newsletter.
Cinekid for Professionals (CfP) will take place 19-22 October 2021. Attending CfP as a guest? Here you’ll find more info. The deadline for project entries for the Junior Co-production market is 1 July 2021. To register a project in development follow this link. The Cinekid school programme takes place from 11-15 October at Ketelhuis, Rialto and Pathé Amsterdam Noord. For more information and to register click here.