Minister of Science and Culture Mari-Leena Talvitie has presented the Child’s Day Award to RanKids association in Joensuu and the Oulu International Children’s and Youth Film Festival.
Minister of Science and Culture Mari-Leena Talvitie has presented the Child’s Day Award to RanKids association in Joensuu and the Oulu International Children’s and Youth Film Festival. Both honourees received €9,000.
The award is given to organizations for their work or achievements in promoting arts education and activities. It has been presented traditionally on World Children’s Day on November 20 since 1999.
– Art education promotes creativity and learning and strengthens community spirit and, more broadly, civilization. The purpose of art education and activities is to inspire children and spark their interest in art and cultural activities and experiences. That is why it is also important to ask children for feedback and, if necessary, to change activities based on that feedback. The award winners have succeeded in creating activities that are popular with children, says Minister Mari-Leena Talvitie.
– This is a great day for the Oulu Children’s and Youth Film Festival and recognition of the festival’s work in promoting children’s film culture and film education. The award has special significance, as it conveys the kind of world we want to build for future generations, says festival director Mika Anttolainen.
The 45th Oulu International Children’s and Youth Film Festival will be held from November 9 to 15, 2026, and is part of the official programme of Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture.
The festival has been organised since 1982 and is one of Finland’s longest-running cultural events for children and the only annual film festival in the country that focuses entirely on children and young people. The event showcases new and high-quality domestic and international film production for children and young people. The target audience includes children of all ages, young people, families, kindergartens, elementary schools, and secondary schools throughout the country.
Children’s and youth juries award prizes to the best films in their categories. The festival, held at the Cultural Centre Valve, hosts both Finnish and international filmmaker guests every year. In 2024, more than 170,000 people participated in the festival. The festival is organised by the Oulu Film Centre (founded in 1973).
Oulu International Children’s and Youth Film Festival
