Listapadzik 2023: Film competition for young audiences kicks off in Minsk

Traditionally, November in Belarus is the time to see the best films from all over the world. The very atmosphere of the autumn month makes it a good time to watch movies in cozy cinema halls. More than 80 cinemas of the country host the screenings of the films of the Minsk International Film Festival (MIFF) Listapad. The 2023 season kick-started with the Listapadzik competition of films for children and youth. On 17 November the Pioneer Cinema hosted The Puppeteer by the Russian director Roman Amsler. Before the show, the audience was able to participate in a workshop in theatrical art, try one the role of a movie star and walk the red carpet.

This year saw a great number of applications. All in all, Listapadzik received 317 applications from more than 20 countries: according to the regulations, those were films created in 2022 and 2023. The expert panel, headed by the director of the competition, the famous Belarusian director Elena Turova, selected eight films. In addition to the timekeeping and professionalism requirements, the other selection factors included ethical standards, a strong educational message and a focus on creativity.

The authors touch upon topical issues related to the growing up of a little personality, the process of establishing communication between a child and peers and parents, and building relationships with the world around. Listapadzik 2023 catered both to very little audiences (the Russian-Uzbek film The Fairy's Gift) and also almost adult young people (for example, the Indian film Zoo). Chairwoman of the jury of the Listapadzik 2023 competition was the Belarusian theater and film actress Svetlana Sukhovei. It also included film critic, screenwriter, professor, producer Anna Pendrakovskaya and director of TatarKino Milyausha Aituganova.