On the second day, the first school classes made their way to the DFF cinema at 9 am. Ismaël Ferroukhi, director of the film MICA, was available to answer questions and was happy to exchange ideas with the film-enthusiastic audience during a screen talk.

The juries of the different age sections discuss the first film screenings. Their film selection on the theme of “Obsession” was presented by the “Young European Cinephiles”. The film series kicked off with WHIPLASH (US 2014) by Damien Chazelle. 

WHAT IS IMPORTANT FOR VERY YOUNG KIDS IN THE CINEMA? It’s about discovering the diverse world of moving images in a creative and playful way. In »Minis« children from the age of three can explore their love for film with all their senses. Two short film programs from the European model project “Cinemini on Tour” invite children, parents and day-care centres to join in.

Children enjoy moving images and easily engage with a wide variety of narrative forms, actively responding to abstract and experimental films that leave them with plenty of room for imagination. With the project “Cinemini on Tour”, the DFF and numerous European partners have such short films – a treasure trove of films from the early days to the present day, from avant-garde to narrative animated films – ready for children aged three to six, parents and educators. Accompanying materials and activities complement the films. Through viewing, playing and reflecting, creativity and critical thinking are stimulated and a love of film could be awakened.

At LUCAS there are film talks after every screening because the intensive exchange together with the filmmakers about what has been seen is at the heart of a film festival.

LUCAS welcomes film guests on site at the cinema and all film screenings are accompanied by film mediators. Due to the pandemic, new discussion formats have also been developed: the festival offers live online conversations with filmmakers after the screening and, as part of a “Get Involved!” project, pre-recorded online film talks between young LUCAS alumni and international filmmakers have been created for nine competition films.

The pre-recorded online film talks can be found here.

LUCAS #44 has begun! Until Thursday, October 7, film fans of all ages can look forward to exciting cinema experiences in Frankfurt, Offenbach and Wiesbaden.

At yesterday’s opening, head of festival Julia Fleißig introduced this year’s LUCAS programme. She welcomed Sybille Linke, Head of the department of Culture of Frankfurt am Main, Ayse Asar, State Secretary at the Hessian Ministry of Science and the Arts, as well as lots of jury members on the DFF Cinema stage. Afterwards, a reception was held in the foyer of the DFF.

LUCAS opened with the documentary THE REASON I JUMP (USA/GB 2020. D: Jerry Rothwell). In the coming days, Germany’s oldest film festival for audiences from four years old to 18+ will present 67 outstanding feature films, documentaries and animated films from over 30 countries.

DEEP DIVE The »YECs« bring lived European film culture to Frankfurt: six young people from Greece, Germany and Belgium present their own selection of films to the LUCAS audience and can’t wait for in depth discussions in the cinema. The topic of the Cinephiles this year: “Obsession”!