With a special screening of everyone’s childhood favourite – The Goonies by Richard Donner from 1985 – the second edition of KinoKino – International Film Festival for Children opened tonight at the Europa Cinema in Zagreb.

“KinoKino is one of our favourite projects – because we are organising it for children, our most sincere and inspiring critics and future film lovers,” said the Festival director Selma Mehadžić.

Referring to the Goonies and fighting for a good cause, she continued: “Our Goon Dock is definitely the Europa Cinema – the venue whose uncertain fate forced us to sign a petition ten years ago. Today it proudly bears the title of the cinema with best programming in Europe. It is you, dear audience, where we find inspiration for our further efforts.”

Little protagonists in film stories about courage, resourcefulness and friendship, Marko Tocilj (who starred as Koko in the film The Mystery of Green Hill by Čejen Černić) and Cvita Viljac (starring in the title role of Anka by Dejan Aćimović), officially opened the festival.

The Festival coordinator Katarina Crnčić added that the second edition of KinoKino Festival has prepared around 30 films literally from all over the world, as well as many workshops and guests.

The main programme of this year’s festival edition consists of eight feature films competing for three awards – best film to the professional jury’s choice, to the children’s jury choice and to the audience’s choice. The children’s jury consists of five primary schoolchildren, and the professional jury this year includes German actor David Kross, Croatian creative jack of all trades Mario Kovač, and illustrator and director Milan Trenc.

Before the screening, the famous Croatian film theoretician Nikica Gilić gave an introductory speech about the idiosyncrasies of The Goonies, concluding: “A well told story about a journey, a well told story about imagination will never grow old. The same goes for good films for children, the most rewarding of audiences.”

Throughout the week, in addition to the films, children will have a chance to take part in workshops and film quizzes, and grown-ups should tune in to the 18+ programme.

The opening night photo gallery is available HERE.