The jurys have spoken and here are the results.

The City of Malmö Children’s Film Award – 100.000 sek

Motivation: In a sensitive and poetic tone, we enter a world of three friends, impossible not to love. The film has very confident and unflinching storytelling from a director that consistently trusts the images and their impact. The deeply personal portrayal transports us to a place full of mythology, seamlessly blending humor with death, creating an experience that challenges the viewer and excels on the big screen.  It’s a film that shows how life – and death – is not a problem to solve, but a mystery to explore. We look forward to seeing much more from this director. 

Winner: Xibalba Monster, dir: Manuela Irene

Film

Xibalba Monster

Rogelio thinks about death a lot. He fantasises about ghosts and one day a peculiar old man appears in his imagination. His Mayan friends say the man is real and is called the Xibalba monster. Rogelio begins spying on the man and is thrown into an adventure filled with magic, mysteries and insights that will forever change the way he looks upon life and death.

The Church of Sweden Award – 100.000 sek

Motivation: In times like these it’s important to stand up for justice and the equal value of all people, and our winner is about finding the courage to do just that. With humor and warmth it tells a story we all can relate to: the one about seeking your roots, finding your sense of belonging and striving to be who we want to be. While the film explores historical events and gives insights into a unique culture, its message about being a compassionate human being resonates with us all in 2025.

Winner: Uproar, dir: Paul Middleditch, Hamish Bennett

Film

Uproar

It’s 1980’s New Zealand and Josh, who is half Māori, attends all-white boys’ school. On the streets, Māori protesters rally against the visit of apartheid South Africa’s rugby team. In the middle of the commotion, Josh needs to decide who he wants to be and what is worth fighting for. An engaging and humorous film about identity, family and politics.

Young People’s Jury for Film Award – 25.000 sek

Motivation: Throughout the whole film the audience is immersed into the main character’s world making his experience very relatable to teens, the film also does a fantastic job of highlighting his life, not exploiting his death. It puts a lot of effort into showing him as more than just a victim of bullying, more than just a victim of suicide and mental health problems. They showed him as the person he was, a boy who lived a happy and vibrant life, although it ended far too early.

Winner: The Boy With Pink Pants, dir: Margherita Ferri

Film

The Boy With Pink Pants

A pair of red trousers turn pink in the wash. Andrea’s new friend Christian is exciting but unpredictable and leaks secrets to the class at school. These become the sparks that ignite Andreas’ already shaky existence. An engaging Italian youth film based on real events.

The Region of Skåne Short Film Award – 100 000 kr

Motivation: Without introduction, we enter the girls’ world, follow them around the neighborhood and see everything through their eyes right up until the credits, where the line between film and reality blurs even more. What is reality in the film, what is dream in the film and what is reality in reality? Joy, play and desire! They made a film.

Winner: We Made a Film, dir: Tota Alves
Honorary mention: With a skillful eye, the director has created an ambitious work full of contrasts.
The jury would like to give a special mention to the visually outstanding depiction of a boy’s longing in the film A Summer’s End Poem by Can-Zhao Lam

Film

We Made a Film

It’s the school summer break in Portugal. Maria Inês experiences her first love when she and her friends roam the streets in their neighbourhood, dance and record a film.

ECFA Award

Motivation: This film is a tribute to togetherness, the pursuit of what brings us joy, and a focus on all the good that surrounds us. Consequently, it also contributes to creating even a slightly better microcosm — which, in turn, becomes a powerful act of resistance. We can do it, we can do it — together. And it made us ask ourselves — what makes us happy. Film that makes us grow.

Winner: Honey, regi: Natasha Arthy

Film

Honey

Honey is new to the class and is tasked with writing about her family. But Honey doesn’t want to write about her sister, who has Down’s syndrome, her father, who grows cannabis, or her mother, who works double shifts. In secret, she discovers that the grandfather she thought was dead is actually alive. A warm and engaging film filled with music and humour.

Barnfondens Award

Motivation: The Mountain is a touching and thought-provoking film about friendship, the fragility of life and finding community in the unexpected. With fine acting, a strong soundtrack and a well-told story, the film creates space for both reflection and conversation. A film that both arouses emotions and inspires.

Winner: The Mountain, regi: Rachel House

Film

The Mountain

Meet this year’s most unlikely adventure trio. Sam, undergoing cancer treatment, runs away and heads for a mountain sacred to the Māori people. Bronco, an eco-warrior, has a Dad who works too much. Mallory, the bravest child in the world, misses her Mum. A moving yet comedic adventure in the New Zealand wilderness awaits.

FOMP Award – 10 000kr

Winner: Emilia Henriksson

BUFF Nordic Star

Throughout the year, these Nordic actors stand out a little extra and we want to highlight their contributions.

Dilvin Asaad for an unforgettable performance as Sara in Min jävla uppgift.

Selma Dali Pape for the multifaceted and precise portrayal of Honey in Honey.

Silas Strand in the role of Olof in What Mary Didn’t Know and the voice of Laban in Lilla spöket Laban spökar igen.