Berlin: Chinese Drama ‘The Botanist,’ Michel Gondry’s ‘Maya, Give Me a Title’ Win Generation Kplus

The 2025 Berlin International Film Festival has revealed the winners of its Generation Kplus category, which focuses on films for children. The best film in this section was awarded to “The Botanist” by Jing Yi, while Michel Gondry’s animated film “Maya, Give Me a Title” also received top recognition.

In its first release, Jing Yi’s movie titled “The Botanist” (Zhi Wu Xue Jia) was awarded the Grand Prix for Best Film by an international jury. This film is set in a secluded valley within China’s Xinjiang province and chronicles the life of a young boy named Arsin, who resides with his grandmother and spends his days gathering plant specimens while adapting to the gradual transformations occurring within their isolated community. The movie is notable for its ethereal ambiance and breathtaking natural scenery, and it was praised for its captivating depiction of a world unaffected by modern civilization.

The international panel also recognized Japanese director Satoko Yokohama’s film Umibe é Iku Michi, or Seaside Serendipity, with a special commendation. This short film delves into the themes of childhood camaraderie and self-exploration set against Japan’s scenic coastal backdrops. In the category for short films, Autokar by Sylwia Szkiłądź was awarded best short film, while Colombian director Irati Dojura Landa Yagarí received a special mention for Akababuru: Expresión de asombro, or Akababuru: Expression of Astonishment. This visually captivating piece offers a thoughtful contemplation on the boundless curiosity of childhood.

The Crystal Bear for best film was awarded to “Maya, Give Me a Title“, a charming stop-motion movie by eccentric French director Michel Gondry (The Science of Sleep, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind). This production is a joint effort between Gondry and his daughter Maya. Over six years, starting when she was just 4 years old, Maya would provide ideas for movie titles that her father would then use as the foundation for a stop-motion short film for her to enjoy.

The documentary-style feature, “Zirkuskind” (Circusboy), was honored with recognition by Julia Lemke and Anna Koch. This captivating piece delves into the extraordinary realm of a child’s life within a traveling circus.

The Children’s Jury likewise awarded “Little Rebels Cinema Club” by Khozy Rizal as the Best Short Film, appreciating its unique method of storytelling. Meanwhile, Vera van Wolferen’s animated short “Down in the Dumps” earned a special recognition for its delightful visual artistry.

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2025-02-22 19:24