Denmark traditionally places a high priority on films for children and youth and acknowledges a child's right to experience artistic reflection on the realities of life. We believe that the best of cinema stirs and moves the heart and mind.
Danish film policy consistently aims to develop a film culture for children. Since 1982, the Danish Film Act has dedicated at least 25% of all government film subsidies to films for children and youth. This has had an enormous impact – on output, consistency and quality. Storytelling from a child’s perspective, solid production values and original stories are key.
On this site you can read about Danish films for children and young people, film education, pre-school activities, film festivals and other relevant information.
Important dates
- 1913 The National Censorship Board is founded to monitor violent and immoral content in films
- 1925 The National School Film Board is founded
- 1932 Dansk Kulturfilm (Danish Cultural Film) starts producing primarily short films for children
- 1939 The National Film Board initiates nationwide distribution to schools
- 1972 The National Film Act introduces subsides for significant foreign children's films
- 1982 Reform of the National Film Act earmarks 25% of government film subsidies for films for children and youth
- 1989 Reform of the National Film Act includes the creation of new positions: two children's film commissioners, one for feature films, the other for short fiction and documentaries
- 1997 The National Film Board merges with the Danish Film Institute
- 1998 The Centre for Children & Youth Film is founded
- 2000 BUSTER Copenhagen International Film Festival for Children & Youth is founded
- 2002 FILM-X, the interactive film studio for children and youth, is established
- 2008 FILM-X On The Road debuts at BFI in London