From 26 September to 2 October 2025, Studio Kino Hamburg will once again transform into a haven for young film enthusiasts as the MICHEL Kinder und Jugend Filmfest takes place for the 23rd time as part of FILMFEST HAMBURG. A total of nine international feature and animated films will compete for the MICHEL Filmpreis MAJA, endowed with €10,000, to be awarded by a seven-member children’s jury on 2 October. Out of competition, the line-up includes two new episodes of The Peppercorns, the popular “Reihe für Minis”, and the documentary film Circusboy. Presented predominantly in original language, with live German voice-over, moderated and journalistically accompanied by children and young people, this year’s MICHEL programme tells stories of friendship, family bonds, and team spirit.

 

How Small Decisions Can Change the World

 

Whether it’s about friendship, family, or environmental protection – all films in this year’s MICHEL programme feature young protagonists who find the courage to stand up for themselves and their loved ones. Small choices that lead to significant impact.

 

Festival Director Steffi Falk: “Our protagonists show that every step matters – whether it’s standing up for friends, uncovering a family secret, or pushing through a climate action against all odds. Our stories are empowering and demonstrate that change begins with ourselves.”

 

Films about Identity and Belonging

 

MICHEL 2025 will open with the charmingly summery animated film The Songbirds’ Secret by Antoine Lanciaux. In this French film, nine-year-old Lucie discovers a mysterious key during her mother’s excavation, leading her to a hidden treasure from the past – and right into an adventure filled with imagination and family secrets.

 

In Anna Koch and Julia Lemke’s documentary film for children, Circusboy, young Santino sets out to find his own circus act and learns a lot about his family’s history in the process. A loving cinematic portrait of everyday life in the circus.

 

Fabrizio Cattani’s Forever with you revolves around loss and friendship: following his mother’s death, Filo searches not only for his dog Birillo but also for new emotional grounding.

 

Environmental activism becomes an adventure in How Dare You?, directed by Japan’s Mipo Oh, where Yuishi and Kokoa courageously turn their surroundings upside down.

 

The British animated film Stich Head, directed by Steve Hudson, offers a loving look at outsiders and being different. In an old castle, little Stitchhead ensures the professor’s monster inventions don’t spiral out of control. When he himself is to become the star attraction of a travelling circus, Stitchhead faces an important decision.

 

Stories as bridges in times of grief: the animated film Tales from the Magic Garden centres around three siblings who help their grandfather cope with the loss of their grandmother through self-invented adventure stories.

 

Things get magical and fairy-tale-like in Margien Rogaar’s Lampie, where the lighthouse keeper’s daughter discovers fantastical creatures behind gloomy walls – and grows beyond herself.

 

After an accident, young boxer Camille struggles to regain his courage. Trust, determination, and new friendships are at the heart of Wild Foxes, a coming-of-age film by Belgian director Valéry Carnoy.

 

A special highlight is the return of The Last Whale Singer (directed by Reza Memari). Last year, children at the MICHEL Interactive Cinema engaged intensively with the story of the humpback whale Vincent. Now, the film is part of the official festival line-up, vividly illustrating how self-confidence and responsibility can grow.

 

The festival finale brings Honey by Natasha Arthy – an energetic story about music, friendship, and growing up. Honey just wants to make music, but amidst family chaos, first love, and a dark secret, she learns that it takes courage to stand up for oneself. At the following award ceremony on 2 October, the MICHEL children’s jury will present the €10,000 MICHEL Filmpreis MAJA.

 

Thrilling Cases and Big Adventures

 

This year’s programme once again features two brand-new episodes of the popular children’s detective series The Peppercorns, directed by Philipp Scholz, screening out of competition. In Tick Tack, sabotage incidents turn the detectives’ school into a crime scene, while Schäfermatt revolves around a mysterious case during a chess tournament.

 

For the youngest festival visitors aged four and up, the beloved “Reihe für Minis” (Series for Minis) returns. In lovingly animated short films, little heroes embark on grand adventures – from flying dragons to playful snow hares.

 

Get Involved, Speak Up, Help Shape the Festival

 

Most of the MICHEL films are shown in their original language and live dubbed in German in the cinema. Children and teenagers aged between 11 and 16 will take on roles as moderators, conduct interviews, and report as MICHEL MOVIE KIDS on their blog about the festival events.

 

“The MICHEL Filmfest thrives on children not just watching but actively participating – as moderators, reporters, and curious question-askers,” says Steffi Falk.

 

Ticket pre-sales for the MICHEL Children’s and Youth Festival Filmfest start on 11 September.

 

FILMFEST HAMBURG will take place from 25 September to 4 October 2025, presenting over 120 productions from around the world as world, European, German, or Hamburg premieres. Festival cinemas include Abaton, CinemaxX Dammtor, Metropolis, Passage, and Studio Kino. On 3 October, FILMFEST HAMBURG will celebrate the “Day of Free Admission”. All festival films screened in these five cinemas on that day will be free of charge. The FILMFEST UMS ECK cinemas will also join the initiative, offering one free festival film screening each on 3 October 2025. The full festival programme will be announced on 9 September 2025.