FILMFEST HAMBURG is renaming its children’s film programme: the former MICHEL Children’s and Youth Film Festival will become FILMFEST HAMBURG JUNIOR. Under new leadership, more closely integrated into the main festival and with a renewed focus on young cinema audiences, the section is entering the new festival year with a fresh profile.

 

FILMFEST HAMBURG is further expanding its offer for young audiences. The former MICHEL Children’s and Youth Film Festival, most recently led by Steffi Falk, will now continue as FILMFEST HAMBURG JUNIOR. Rather than operating as a “festival within the festival”, the children’s film programme will become a dedicated section of FILMFEST HAMBURG. Anna-Lena Schenck will head the new Junior section, bringing with her extensive international experience in educational and cultural projects.

 

The programme of FILMFEST HAMBURG JUNIOR is aimed primarily at children and their families, while also offering films for older young audiences. At its heart are films that take young viewers seriously, spark curiosity and open up new perspectives. A particular focus will be placed on further developing the school screenings alongside the already established weekend family screenings, which turn cinema into a shared experience for children, parents, friends and families.

 

“When we think about the future of cinema, we must also think about the audiences of tomorrow. Children should discover cinema as a place where stories come to life, where new worlds open up and where the shared experience of watching a film can spark something special. With FILMFEST HAMBURG JUNIOR, we want to create spaces that are open, inspiring and closely connected to the festival as a whole,” says Malika Rabahallah, Festival Director of FILMFEST HAMBURG.

 

Anna-Lena Schenck will head the new FILMFEST HAMBURG JUNIOR section. She studied German and English at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and spent many years working at the Goethe-Institut Sydney in international education and cultural programming, most recently as Head of Educational Cooperation. There, she developed programmes for schools and teachers, worked as a lecturer and author in the field of German as a foreign language, and realised numerous projects for young audiences. Film has always played a central role in her work: among other things, she was responsible for the children’s and youth film series as part of the German Film Festival, which takes place across Australia.

 

Anna-Lena Schenck recently returned to her native northern Germany and will now be responsible for establishing and further developing the JUNIOR section at FILMFEST HAMBURG. She is particularly interested in films that inspire, open our eyes to the world, shift perspectives and stay with us long after the screening.

 

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to help shape FILMFEST HAMBURG JUNIOR and to strengthen our collaboration with schools. Most of all, I look forward to many special films that invite young audiences to explore different perspectives, encourage curiosity and experience cinema together,” says Anna-Lena Schenck, Head of FILMFEST HAMBURG JUNIOR.

 

FILMFEST HAMBURG will take place from 24 September to 3 October 2026. More than 120 productions from around the world will be screened as world, European, German or Hamburg premieres. The festival cinemas are Abaton, CinemaxX Dammtor, Metropolis, Passage and Studio Kino.

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