Preface

Dearest film fan,

A powerful film projected in the theatre breathes life into a room. Wondrous stories open up new worlds. That is the magic of cinema. A magic that is perhaps even more true for youth film.

This is exactly why I love the JEF festival. It delivers quirky, superb films to theatres, children's homes, schools, and hospitals. It broadens the horizons of children and young people and fires the imagination in their heads.

Through a diverse and quality film experience, and a fresh approach to the audiovisual medium (including games, online video, VR, etc.), children and young people are stimulated to grow culturally and develop their artistic and creative potential.

This 34th edition of the JEF festival takes place in various Flemish cities, as well as online, but Antwerp is the festival's base and hometown. As Antwerp wants to continue positioning itself as an international city of art and culture with a rich past and a creative future, we are happy to work together with JEF vzw and their distinctive festival 'by and for youngsters'. Together we are expanding the festival into an international cultural city festival. And as far as I'm concerned, that's pretty positive!

Enjoy this year's extensive selection of films, workshops, masterclasses, games, and more. Who knows, maybe we'll run into each other during the festival period!