Every year it is the same: Just before the award ceremony you are excited like a little child, even as a 17-year-old. But on the back of your mind there is already the sad thought that the Berlinale will soon be over.
One week at the cinema, one week at the Kinderfilmfest - every year this means one week in which you dive into a new world.
The awarding of the best children's films is of course the height of the festival. The audience of more than 1000 people in the overcrowded Zoopalast is a mixture of old and young. 15 minutes before the ceremony begins there is not a single seat left.
With his famous sprint, the director of the Kinderfilmfest, Thomas Hailer enters the stage. Soon he welcomes the five members of the international jury of the Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk, which has given a doted price to the best short fim and the best feature film for the last years.
The Taiwan short film "A Fish with a Smile" earned the special award of the jury. A great surprise was the winner of the main award of the international jury: a lively discussed feature film, nominated in several competitions on the Berlinale: "The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros". The obviously touched director enters the stage. He thanks the audience for their tolerance and and their enthusiasm for the assumed difficult topic of the film, homosexuality.

The obligate photographs are taken and afterwards the eleven members of the children's jury enter the stage. Of course they are very nervous, but don't show it. Skilfully they present their explanatory statements for the awards.
And finally they annonce the winner of the 29th Kinderfilmfest: The Danish film „Drømmen - We shall overcome“. The audiency is audibly thrilled, they give the wildest applause of this afternoon.
During the screening of the awarded film an minute later, the whole room is participating very strongly: After exciting scenes, the audience bursts out in cheers.
Back in the lobby, some visitors review this years's Kinderfilmfest. This is a moment of sadness, because everything is over for another year. But happiness overbalances. About a wonderful awarded feature film that has won deservedly and about a week one will not forget too soon.
Even as a critical Young Journalist I can say only one thing: THANKS for this wonderful 29th Kinderfilmfest. Hope to see you all next year!