08/05/2017 - Young juries in 31 European countries have elected the German film by Fatih Akin as the winner

l-r: producer Marco Mehlitz, actors Anand Batbileg and Tristan Göbel, and screenwriter Lars Hubrich

In a truly European vote, 12- to 14-year-olds in 31 European countries have elected Goodbye Berlin [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by German director Fatih Akin as the winner of the European Film Academy Young Audience Award 2017.

Having watched the three nominated films on Young Audience Film Day, almost 2,000 young cinema lovers from across Europe had the opportunity to discuss the films before selecting their favourite. The results were then reported live via videoconference to Erfurt (Germany), where German actress and comedian Gesa Dreckmann moderated the awards ceremony. The ceremony was transmitted online as a live stream and will remain available as VoD. EFA director Marion Döring presented the award to the film’s screenwriter, Lars Hubrich, producer Marco Mehlitz, and the two main actors, Tristan Göbel and Anand Batbileg. 

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As both a response to the current situation in Europe and a contribution towards integration, this year’s sixth edition of the EFA Young Audience Award again specifically included refugee children. It was the second time that Berlin had participated in the initiative, and it was here that the European Film Academy and the Academy of Arts brought together Berlin-based pupils and “welcome classes” for refugee children. Together they watched the nominated films, discussed them with each other and, as members of the pan-European jury, voted for the winner. This special event was organised in co-operation with Yorck Kinogruppe and was supported by the Federal Agency for Civic Education.