The five-person youth jury discussed why the best film of Riga IFF 2014 in its opinion was the Denmark-Sweden-New Zealand coproduction “The Weight of Elephants” by director Daniel Joseph Borgman. They called it an intriguing and masterfully made story about a ten-year old daydreaming boy who thinks he can solve the mystery of some missing children with the girl next-door.
Meanwhile, the nine-person kids’ jury selected Swedish-Danish co-production “Beyond Beyond” by animator Esben Toft Jacobsen. It tells the story of little hare Johan who pines for his mother as he sails the seas with his father and plans her rescue from the evil Feather King.
Jury members were selected based on illustrations or other creative treatments made by children of their favorite films, and interest was so great the jury had to be expanded to accommodate the demand.
The program of Nordic films for children and youth is part of the Riga IFF and is put together to provide a valuable cinematic experience for young people that as a European alternative to Hollywood productions.
