The Youth Jury introduces themselves!

We are pleased to anounce the Youth Jury of Cinekid Festival 2025. They will decide which film will take home the CJP Youth Jury Award this year. 

The Youth Jury introduces themselves!

Meet Dylan, Eline, James, June, Narcis and Nova! Who are they and why do they want to judge films? 

Dylan (13)

Dylan (13)

I’m Dylan. I practice Thai boxing and I love gaming and playing outside with my friends. People around me say I’m always fun to be with and that I don’t like arguments. My favorite candy is M&M’s, and I can always go for some popcorn. Watching movies is one of the best things, and I think it would be super cool to ask the cast and crew questions about them. How does someone feel in a certain role? Would they do it differently next time? Has a director ever regretted a choice? I have so many questions!

Eline (13)

Eline (13)

Hi! I’m Eline, 13 years old, and I’m in my first year of high school. I love music, drawing, and I’m a big fan of Tim Burton films. I also often work as an extra in films and series, which I really enjoy doing. I love movies a lot. We often go to the cinema, and at home we often watch older films, for example by Tim Burton. I think it would be fun to watch the festival films together with others and then discuss what we thought of them and which one we liked best.

James (11)

James (11)

Hey, I’m James, 11 years old, and I’m in the final year of elementary school. I really enjoy Adam Sandler films. My favorite film is The Karate Kid (part 1). My hobbies are football, basketball, gaming, and of course watching movies together. I wanted to join the youth jury because I’ve seen a lot of films, I always like to watch them all the way through, and I often give them my own ‘stars.’ I know why I do or don’t like something, and I enjoy discussing that with my friends and parents.

June (13)

June (13)

I’m June, I’m 13 years old, and I’m in the second year of high school. I also play the saxophone and am in a band, where we mainly play jazz. I also play a little piano. I really enjoy music. I also like drawing and writing poems, as well as reading and being in nature. I have a very sweet cat named Vos. I wanted to join the youth jury because I find films fun and interesting. I’m also curious about how films are selected for awards. And I think it would be fun to watch films more closely to figure out which one is the best.

Narcis (14)

Narcis (14)

I’m 14 years old and I live with my mother and little sister in Dordrecht. I have been active in theater, dance, and singing for 7 years, and I’m a beginner piano and guitar player. On my phone, I make my own short films with my sister, neighborhood kids, and family members as actors. I write the scripts myself, add music, and edit the films on my own. I am very interested in filmmaking, and in the future, I want to become a director or professional actress. When I watch films, I don’t just focus on enjoying them, but also on the acting, lighting, sound, music, location, and camera angles. That’s why I want to join the jury: to share my opinion with other jury members about all the films we watch and ultimately compare them to choose a winner.

Nova (12)

Nova (12)

I’m Nova, I’m 12 years old, and I’m in the first year of VWO. My hobbies are hockey, theater, dance, singing, and of course, film! I also enjoy writing stories, and I love explaining and presenting things. I enjoy visiting big cities, especially to check out the latest fashion trends. I like watching series, cooking, and being creative. I’m crazy about films and always have an opinion on when a film is good or less good, and why. That’s why I think being on the youth jury would be an amazing experience!

The contenders

These five films are this year’s nominees for the CJP Youth Jury Award:

Brightly Shining

Brightly Shining

10+20 October 15:15
In this heartwarming Christmas film, Ronja, Melissa, and their father do their best to make things work at home. When their dad loses his job yet again, Ronja and Melissa step up to put food on the table and save their Christmas.
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Hajjan

Hajjan

10+18 October 14:4521 October 12:30
Step into the desert with this thrilling film from Saudi Arabia! To avenge his late brother and save his beloved camel Hofara, young Matar goes to work for a ruthless camel-racing boss. Together they cross the desert at great personal risk, aided by a mysterious jockey.
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Honey

Honey

8+20 October 12:4521 October 12:3022 October 13:15
Honey has just joined a new class and dreams of playing guitar in the school band with the boy she has a crush on. But there’s no time for music, she’s too busy helping everyone in her chaotic family. Then she discovers that her rebellious grandfather is still alive, and secretly goes to meet him. Could he be the one to teach her how to stand up for herself?
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Jahia's Summer

Jahia's Summer

10+19 October 15:00
How do you cope with the unbearable uncertainty of waiting for a residence permit? For Jahia, an Eritrean girl, it means her life seems to be standing still, until she meets Nèta from Moldova. With her cheerful and quirky energy, Nèta slowly helps Jahia regain optimism about her future.
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Têtes Brûlées

Têtes Brûlées

10+19 October 13:00
An impressive film about the grieving process of a young girl growing up in a Tunisian family in Brussels. Eva has a special, close bond with her older brother. When he dies unexpectedly, her world collapses. The film follows her through her grieving process and offers a close-up view of how she tries to navigate her relationships with family and friends, her culture and Islamic faith, and her own sorrow.
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The winner

The youth jury will announce the winner themselves during the CJP Awards Gala on Friday, October 24, and afterwards you can watch the winning film on the big screen. What else awaits you? That’s a surprise! Our team of junior presenters sets the vibe: from dress code to decorations, and maybe even a lineup with film stars. Expect fun, surprises, and a touch of Skibidi energy. This event is specially for you, don’t miss it!

About the CJP Youth Jury Award

This year, Cinekid is once again joining forces with CJP, the sponsor of the Youth Jury Award. Together, Cinekid and CJP ensure that children and young people maintain a curious and open-minded view of the world from an early age. For 60 years, CJP has made art and culture accessible to all young people in the Netherlands, enabling them to broaden their cultural tastes and horizons. For Cinekid, high-quality media and films are essential to connecting children with themselves and with others. With the CJP Youth Jury Award, CJP and Cinekid give young people a voice!

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