The European Children’s Film Association (ECFA) will present awards for the best films of 2025 in three categories – feature film, documentary, and short film – during the Berlinale festival. Among the nominees are two Slovak feature-length co-productions created using stop-motion animation: Living Large by Kristina Dufková and the puppet film Tales from the Magic Garden, directed by David Súkup, Patrik Pašš, Leon Vidmar, and Jean-Claude Rozec. These are the only European children’s film awards decided by votes from film professionals.
In the current edition, the feature film category includes fifteen titles, the short film category twelve films, and the children’s documentary category four titles.
Living Large, which was also nominated last year, follows the story of 12-year-old Ben, who is navigating puberty while facing bullying and weight issues. His passion for food and budding talent as a chef are important to him, yet he decides to go on a diet to fit in and win the heart of his crush, Klára. Ultimately, Ben realizes that how he feels is more important than how he looks. The film had its world premiere at the prestigious Annecy Festival and earned its nomination following an ECFA Award win at the JEF festival, held in Antwerp, Bruges, and other Belgian cities.
The second nominee, Tales from the Magic Garden, unfolds a touching story about three children spending the night at their grandpa’s house. To fill the silence after losing their grandma, the family’s storyteller, they create their own stories and discover the power of imagination. The film, based on children’s stories by the Czech author and playwright Arnošt Goldflam, had its world premiere at last year’s Berlinale. It earned its ECFA nomination after winning at the Giffoni Film Festival.
Both films share a sensitive portrayal of the inner world of children and universal themes of growing up, identity, and coping with emotions, which resonate with both young audiences and adults. The winners will be chosen by ECFA members and announced on February 14, 2026, during the Berlinale festival.
More information about the European Children’s Film Association
