The 48th edition of the LUCAS Film Festival, organized by the DFF – Deutsches Filminstitut & Filmmuseum, ended on Thursday with a festive awards ceremony. I ACCIDENTALLY WROTE A BOOK, WILD FOXES and WHERE THE WIND COMES FROM received the awards for the best international feature-length films for young audiences in their respective sections. HAPPYEND was honored with the award for an outstanding cinematic achievement. The prizes for the best short films went to HAPPY THINGS in Competition »Kids« and NARMOOK in Competition »Teens«. Festival director Julia Fleißig congratulated the award winners in the DFF Cinema.
Competition »Kids«
Award for the Best Short Film (2,000 €)
HAPPY THINGS (EE 2024. D: Alexandra Pärn)
Ten-year-old Lily is worried about her sad mother and thinks about how she can make her smile. Maybe with fish sticks? Or a snowball fight? Happiness is in the little things. At least Lily is sure of that.
Statement of the Jury in Competition »Kids«
This sensitive film tells us how ten-year-old Lilly cares for her sick mother, primarily through impressive images and coherent processes. Although very little is spoken, you feel for the main character when she has to prove herself in the difficult situations of an arduous everyday life. In a perfect blend of sadness and hope, the film traces the complex relationship between caring daughter and sick mother, and finds the possibility of happiness in the moment even in the face of this difficult subject.
Special Mention for the Best Feature Film
SPACE CADET (CA 2025. D: Eric San)
Celeste Astridia is an astronaut like her mother Stella. Her first mission is to explore unknown planets. On one such journey, Stella once disappeared; Celeste was raised by a robotic Ame, who looks after her like a mother — occasionally the two have little competitions to see who can fold more beautiful origami figures. On her journey, Celeste discovers new, strange and dangerous creatures and finds herself following in her mother’s footsteps, while at home her nurse reminisces about Celeste’s childhood and looks for a new occupation.
Statement of the Jury in Competition »Kids«
This lovingly animated film tells the story of the deeply human friendship between a girl and a robot without any dialog. When the girl sets off on a journey to the stars and has to leave the robot behind, the film becomes a touching story about memories and saying goodbye. We liked the fact that you can empathize with a robot and that the film offers a very good mix of exciting, sad and humorous scenes. For us, SPACE CADET unfolds a clear message that goes far beyond the movie: that sometimes you have to let go, and that beautiful memories
can still last forever.
Award for the Best Feature Film (5,000 €)
Sponsored by the Sparkassen-Kulturstiftung Hessen-Thüringen
I ACCIDENTALLY WROTE A BOOK (HU/NL 2024. D: Nóra Lakos)
Twelve-year-old Nina wants to be a writer — but her bedtime stories don’t go down too well with her brother Junior. She gets help from the old lady Lídia from the neighborhood. But can her writing workshops really help Nina? When her father falls in love with the clever Detti Nina’s search for a good story leads her to her own. For the first time, she deals with the loss of her mother, who died eight years ago. Along the way, she learns how stories are made — and what makes them different from life.
Statement of the Jury in Competition »Kids«
The film tells us about a summer of growing up in an unconventional way. The main character Nina wants to tell stories. She repeatedly addresses us by speaking directly to the camera. She not only reveals her feelings, but also plays with the rules of storytelling: What does it take to be exciting or funny? How does a good conflict work? And what really makes me tick deep down? Nina learns about death and parting, new beginnings and change and a tender first love. A warm-hearted, inviting story unfolds in cinematic images with great attention to detail, a story that only Nina can tell us because it is her own.
After having spent her childhood traditionally disguised as a boy, Malalai Malalai is supposed to fulfill female role clichés again in puberty. Instead of looking for fancy fabrics and make-up, she longs for freedom and self-determination.
Statement of the Jury in Competition »Teens«
Malala wants to find out for herself who she is. She longs for the freedom and autonomy that comes with being a boy in a society where gender roles are strictly defined and rights are limited. The film challenges norms and opens up important conversations about archaic traditions that place more value on men’s lives than women’s. It brings cultural insights into a world where one dreams of being a boy and great sacrifices must be made to achieve this. The great performance of the leading actress as well as the contrast between the earthy, gray outside world and the jewelry, colorful fabrics and make-up contribute to the overall cinematic experience and make NARMOOK a remarkable short film that you will remember for a long time.
Award for an Outstanding Cinematic Achievement (2,000 €)
HAPPYEND (JP/US/SG 2024. D: Neo Sora)
Tokyo in the near future: the country’s prime minister is increasingly turning Japan into a police state and dividing the population. Mistrust and hatred spread, while friends Ko and Yuta play a harmless prank on their principal. Immediately there are accusations of terrorism. In response, the school installs a surveillance system. Ko and Yuta have to make a decision: Resist or put their heads down?
Statement of the Jury in Competition »Teens«
We were impressed by the well-considered visual composition and the calm style that evokes strong emotions and creates a lingering atmosphere. The stylistic precision, color palette and soundtrack come together to create an outstanding cinematic experience. Every shot is carefully considered and contributes to both the storytelling and the unsettling feeling of being trapped in a near dystopian future where every individual has a number and is under constant surveillance.
number and is reduced under constant surveillance. In addition, the young actors and their dynamics bring authenticity to the narrative.
Award for the Best Feature Film (5,000 €)
WILD FOXES (BE/FR 2025. D: Valéry Carnoy)
- German Premiere at LUCAS -
Camille is a talented young boxer at a sports boarding school: someone who could one day become a champion. But the pressure is high. To switch off, he roams the woods with his best friend Matteo, where they watch foxes — until an accident changes everything. Matteo saves him and Camille gets off lightly, but something inside him starts to waver. He is scared and loses interest in training. The fact that the coaches continue to rely on him is not well received by his classmates. His friendship with Matteo also begins to crumble.
Statement of the Jury in Competition »Teens«
We were instantly fascinated by the film’s critical examination of masculinity and the struggle to prove oneself in a male-dominated sport. The director skillfully creates a tension between physical strength, violence and vulnerability, creating a world of gripping tension balanced by friendship, love and sensitivity. The film also conveys a sense of comfort in the face of pain and aggression and focuses on friendship and the healing process after trauma. In addition to the great visuals, we would also like to highlight the impressive performances of the young actors who have created a captivating dynamic.
Competition »Youngsters«
LUCAS »Youngsters« Award (5.000 €)
WHERE THE WIND COMES FROM (TN/FR/QA 2025. R+DB: Amel Guellaty)
The fearless Alyssa and the sensitive artist Mehdi feel trapped in everyday life in the suburbs of Tunis. Like many young people, they are looking for work and at the same time have family responsibilities. When Alyssa hears about an art competition at the other end of Tunisia that offers the chance of a residency in Germany, she persuades Mehdi to go on a wild ride across her home country. Without romantic entanglements, but with gender roles blown up, Amel Guellaty’s film is a courageous odyssey full of longings, dreams and the search for a better life.
Statement of the Jury in Competition »Youngsters«
Dissatisfied with her current life, Alyssa wants to emigrate to a western country in the hope of a better future. She has an idea and asks her friend Mehdi to accompany her on a trip through Tunisia in a stolen car. At first glance, it may seem like a classic coming-of-age road trip story, but Amel Guellaty takes a different approach and paints a personal and very poetic picture of Tunisian culture and identity. The journey becomes an honest narrative about young people’s lives after the Arab Spring in a country that seems to offer opportunities, but does it really? We love this film for its innovative narrative approach and the way it makes full use of the medium of film.
All Sections
ECFA Award
I ACCIDENTALLY WROTE A BOOK (HU/NL 2024. D: Nóra Lakos)
Bridging the Borders Award – Special Mention
OLIVIA AND THE INVISIBLE EARTHQUAKE (ES/FR/BE/CH/CL 2025. D: Irene Iborra Rizo)
- German Premiere at LUCAS -
Bridging the Borders Award
GIRLS DON’T CRY (DE 2025. D: Sigrid Klausmann, Lina Luzyte)
Audience Award
THE SONGBIRDS’ SECRET (FR 2025. D: Antoine Lanciaux)