SCHLiNGEL Abu Dhabi: day three

Last day of this weekend of films for children and the young, presented by the Goethe-Institut Gulf Region as a taster version of the well established SCHLiNGEL International Film Festival held in Chemnitz, Germany. The Abu Dhabi version runs over the weekend of 6-8 June.

Today’s programme:

9.30am – 10.30am Short film programme: Eleven wordless animated short films, none longer than eight minutes, including some real starlets (like Gurli Bachmann’s Spin Cycle, above). 58 min, suitable for age 4+

11.30am – 12pm A Summer of Surprises / Kannawoniwasein: dir Stefan Westerwelle (2023): Fun, quirky, action-packed comedy-drama road movie about friendship and adventure that brings a sad, lonely 10-year-old boy a sense of self-confidence and belonging. 90 min, suitable for age 10+

5.30pm – 7.20pm Weekend Rebels / Wochenendrebellen: dir Marc Rothemund (2023): Ten-year-old Jason is autistic and his routines are non-negotiable. His father makes a pact with him: if the boy promises to do his best at school, they’ll choose a football club that will become his favourite. This feelgood documentary journeys through Germany as both father and son find everything they were never looking for but definitely needed … 109 min, suitable for age 9+

All screenings take place in The Arts Center’s Black Box and are free, though pre-registration is required. The films are in German with English subtitles).