Alemania
Argentina/Spain (2023, dir. María Zanetti) – 87 mins
A teenager must choose between family and a life-changing adventure abroad in this tender coming-of-age story.
Future Council
Netherlands (2024, dir. Damon Gameau) – 80 mins
Damon Gameau (That Sugar Film; 2040) takes eight kids on the ultimate school excursion: a road trip across Europe to seek solutions to the climate crisis.
Moving
Japan (1993, dir. Shinji Sōmai) – 124 mins
Caught between her divorcing parents, a little girl is forced to come to terms with her new reality in this touching family drama.
Normal
France (2023, dir. Olivier Babinet) – 87 mins
A father–daughter dramedy with a distinctive flavour, this tale of dispiriting social services and living with disability is a true crowdpleaser.
Pigsy
Taiwan (2023, dir. Li-Wei Chiu) – 95 mins
A lazy, self-absorbed porker becomes an unlikely hero in this wild and wondrous sci-fi riff on the Chinese classic Journey to the West.
She Sat There Like All Ordinary Ones
China (2024, dir. Qu Youjia) – 107 mins
Receiving the Berlinale’s Generation 14plus Special Mention, this playful and poetic coming-of-age story follows the intertwined lives of two Chinese students.
The Concierge
Japan (2023, dir. Yoshimi Itazu) – 70 mins
In this sparkling anime comedy set in a vibrant alternate world, the customer is always right – but they’re never human.
Winners
Germany (2024, dir. Soleen Yusef) – 119 mins
Using football as her vehicle, director Soleen Yusef references her own refugee tale through the poignant journey of an 11-year-old’s new life in Germany.