BUSTER – Copenhagen International Film Festival for Children and Youth is Denmark’s largest film festival focusing on the 3-16 year olds. The festival takes place over 14 days in the fall every year and screens more than 130 feature, documentary and short films from around the world. Additionally the festival includes workshops, events, debates, and various Q&A sessions with the filmmakers. The festival is arranged with support from the Danish Film Institute, the Municipality of Copenhagen, MEDIA – EU’s support program for the European audiovisual industry as well as other private and public contributors and foundations. It aims at promoting play as well as learning by combining most of its film screenings with activities that communicate cultural understanding and teaches digital literacy.
Contents
The next edition of BUSTER, and first edition of the merger between BUSTER and CPH PIX will run October 27th - November 6th 2016.
Competitions
Each year BUSTER selects a range of films from the festival program to compete in various categories. The four juries pick out winners in each of their assigned categories as listed below:
The International Jury - Best Film for Children - Best Script for Children
The Children’s Jury - The Nordic Film Foundation Best Film for Children - Best Child Actor/Actress
The Youth Jury - Best Film for Youth - Best Youth Actor/Actress
The Short Film Jury - Best Short Film
History
BUSTER was founded in 2000 and takes its name from Buster Oregon Mortensen, the curious, magic-loving kid from the beloved Danish children’s film Buster’s World from 1984 directed by the famous Danish director Bille August.
Since its beginning BUSTER has grown increasingly bigger every year and is now one of the biggest cultural events for children and youth in Denmark, with over 37,700 children, families and schools participating in the events in 2015.
Organization
In 2007, BUSTER became part of Copenhagen Film Festivals which includes CPH:DOX and CPH PIX.
Other projects
BUSTER’S Media Academy is an initiative that offers students and teachers the opportunity to participate in workshops focusing on the latest developments in film, computer and Smartphone technologies. The teachers and students all develop and design their own digital products such as sound design, documentary and animation shorts.
OREGON is Denmark’s largest competition for filmmakers under 20 years. The initiative is an immensely important forum for the young filmmakers of tomorrow. OREGON’s main goal is to help ensure the continuing development of more and better films made by young filmmakers. The winners of the competition are awarded with financial support and counsel in connection with future projects.
OREGON closed down after the 2014 edition of the competition and festival.
Links
Website: www.buster.dk