Lola Kenya Screen

After a successful 2009 edition where 315 films in 33 languages were submitted, the annual Lola Kenya Screen film festival for children and youth is calling upon interested participants to submit quality films to the fifth edition of the annual event that will take place in August 2010.  The 18-week film submission period starts on December 1, 2009.

Lola Kenya Screen, that recognises that unless adults are sensitised into creating for and with children and youth the aim of putting children and youth on the public agenda could become a cropper, has held the festival since 2006 and has until August 15, 2009 showcased 1,450 films from the six continents of the world.

While the festival does not only showcase films but also aims to place the audiovisual media tools in the hands of children and youth, Lola Kenya Screen has equipped 47 children with basic skills in filmmaking, 19 others in creative journalism, nine events presenters and 17children and youth guided on how to appreciate and judge films. The annual workshops, has enabled Lola Kenya Screen realise 20 short animations and eight documentaries.

The festival thus accepts fictional, animated, drama, Documentaries, Experimental films and creatively packaged video games and music videos that provide strong role models to children and youth while speaking positively to children of diverse backgrounds.   

Selected films are showcased under different categories with those starring children between ages of 6-13 competing for the prestigious Lola Kenya screen Golden Mboni award and those featuring children above 14 years competing for the Lola Kenya Screen 14-Plus prize.

While the Golden Mboni has been awarded since 2006, the 14-Plus award was inaugurated in 2009 which was won by South Africa’s uGugu no Andile, a timeless love story set against the backdrop of a political war and directed by Minky Schlessinger.

The 14-Plus award for the second best youth film and 14-Plus award  for the third best youth film went to Norway’s A Beautiful Tragedy by David Kinsella and Kenya’s From a Whisper by Wanuri Kahiu.  

All entries submitted must be suitable for children ages 13 and under, youth aged 14-25 years, or family (25+).

Downloadable film entry details—submission form and regulation in PDF format—are already online at lolakenyascreen.org

Films are received between December 1, 2009 and April 15, 2010. Entries must reach the Lola Kenya Screen on or before April 15, 2010.