22/02/2025 - BERLINALE 2025: Brendan Canty’s coming-of-age tale Christy has snagged the Grand Prix of the International Jury in Generation 14plus

The awards for the Generation Kplus and Generation 14plus sections of the 75th Berlinale, which this year runs from 13-23 February, have just been unveiled.

The Crystal Bear for Best Film in the Generation 14plus strand went to Sunshine by Antoinette Jadaone (Philippines). The jurors – Nour Ibrahim, Zeynep Atay, Tyler Kurokhtin, Jil Baalmann and Rohan Yadav – praised the film for its sensitive approach to a socially critical topic, underlining its powerful message and emotional depth. A Special Mention was given to Playtime by Lucia Murat (Brazil), which impressed the jury with its striking visuals and innovative narrative structure.

In the short-film category, the Crystal Bear for Best Short Film was awarded to Wish You Were Ear by Mirjana Balogh (Hungary). The jury highlighted its philosophical exploration of existence and self-realisation, praising its profound symbolism and universal accessibility.

Next, the Grand Prix of the International Jury for Best Film was awarded to Brendan Canty’s Christy [+see also:
film review
interview: Brendan Canty
film profile] (Ireland/UK). The jury – made up of Emma Branderhorst, Aslı Özarslan and Ikoro Sekai – celebrated its raw emotional energy and striking realism, noting the director’s close connection with the community and the natural performances that made the film an intensely moving experience.

Moreover, a Special Mention was given to Têtes Brûlées [+see also:
film review
interview: Maja-Ajmia Yde Zellama
film profile] by Maja-Ajmia Yde Zellama (Belgium), singled out for its fresh visual language and its poignant depiction of grief and solidarity. The jury praised its ability to capture the complexities of loss through the eyes of a young protagonist.

In addition, the Special Prize of the International Jury for Best Short Film was handed to Don’t Wake the Sleeping Child by Kevin Aubert (Senegal/France/Morocco). The jury was moved by its delicate and naturalistic storytelling, highlighting the director’s ability to create powerful emotions with quiet restraint.

Finally, the Generation Kplus jury – comprising Bonnie Lou Severin, Lenja Utecht, Jim Anatol Hemmert, Madó Solís Wüst, Sergey Ivanov, Wanda Grduszak and Philipp Disselhoff – awarded the Crystal Bear for Best Film to Maya, Give Me a Title [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Michel Gondry
film profile] by Michel Gondry (France). Praising its innovative storytelling, the jury highlighted the film’s deeply touching father-daughter relationship and its ability to blend humour with emotional depth. A Special Mention was also bestowed upon Circusboy [+see also:
film review
interview: Julia Lemke, Anna Koch
film profile] by Julia Lemke and Anna Koch (Germany), commended for its heart-warming narrative and exceptional use of animation.

Here is the list of this year’s award winners:

Generation 14plus

Feature films

Crystal Bear for Best Film
Sunshine - Antoinette Jadaone (Philippines)
Special Mention
Playtime - Lucia Murat (Brazil)

Grand Prix of the International Jury for Best Film
Christy [+see also:
film review
interview: Brendan Canty
film profile] - Brendan Canty (Ireland/UK)
Special Mention
Têtes Brûlées [+see also:
film review
interview: Maja-Ajmia Yde Zellama
film profile] - Maja-Ajmia Yde Zellama (Belgium)

Short films

Crystal Bear for Best Short Film
Wish You Were Ear - Mirjana Balogh (Hungary)
Special Mention
Sunset over America - Matías Rojas Valencia (Brazil/Chile/Colombia)

Special Prize of the International Jury for Best Short Film
Don’t Wake the Sleeping Child - Kevin Aubert (Senegal/France/Morocco)
Special Mention
Beneath Which Rivers Flow - Ali Yahya (Iraq)

Generation Kplus

Feature films

Crystal Bear for Best Film
Maya, Give Me a Title [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Michel Gondry
film profile] – Michel Gondry (France)
Special Mention
Circusboy [+see also:
film review
interview: Julia Lemke, Anna Koch
film profile] – Julia Lemke, Anna Koch (Germany)

Grand Prix of the International Jury for Best Film
The Botanist - Jing Yi (China)
Special Mention
Seaside Serendipity - Satoko Yokohama (Japan)

Short films

Crystal Bear for Best Short Film
Little Rebels Cinema Club – Khozy Rizal (Indonesia)
Special Mention
Down in the Dumps – Vera van Wolferen (Netherlands)

Special Prize of the International Jury for Best Short Film
Autokar - Sylwia Szkiłądź (Belgium/France)
Special Mention
Akababuru: Expression of Astonishment - Irati Dojura Landa Yagarí (Colombia)