Flap the 20th for the SCHLINGEL

Sven Leuoth

The SCHLINGEL International Film Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary in October. More than 150 children's and youth films from all over the world will be shown in Chemnitz from 5 to 11 October. This makes "SCHLINGEL" the largest festival for international children's and youth films in Germany. In keeping with its name, the festival has a real mascot every year. This year's "rascal" is called Sven, is eleven years old and attends the sixth grade of a Chemnitz grammar school.

You are the mascot of the "Schlingel". What happens at "Schlingel" anyway?
Sven Leuoth: Schlingel is a film festival where lots of films from many different countries are shown and there are various juries that judge the films. The films also receive prizes. And this is the second time I've been the Schlingel mascot.

What do you have to do as a mascot?
For example, you have to introduce the films and say a bit about them. Incidentally, there is an audience award for one film. Last year, people voted with empty drinks bottles. This year, every visitor receives a slip of paper with their ticket, which they can then throw into the respective voting containers.

So it's up to the audience. Are you also allowed to vote?
Unfortunately not. I remain neutral. Last year, I only got the rascal T-shirt, which the jury also wears, after the festival, i.e. at the awards ceremony, so that I couldn't cheat my way onto the jury and have a say in which films won. (laughs)

So you're not allowed to make your own recommendations as to which films you particularly like. Do you know the films beforehand?
I can't make a recommendation. Although I do know a few films. For example, the second part of Rico and Oskar: "Rico, Oskar and the Heartbreak". Most international films are still so new that you can't know them yet. Most of them only celebrate their premiere in Germany at SCHLINGEL.

Do you know how many films will be shown?
Around 150, I think.

But you don't watch them all?
No.

How many films do the jury members have to watch?
That depends on the jury. There are different juries, such as the European Children's Jury or the Junior and Youth Jury. The jury members are also in different age groups. They each watch the films in their age group.

The European Children's Jury is a special jury that votes for the best children's film and thus awards the European Children's Film Prize of the Saxon Minister of the Arts. It consists of 18 children of nine different nationalities. This year, the children come from Budapest, Chemnitz, Kiev, Copenhagen, Leipzig, Ljubljana, Prague, Saint Quentin, Stockholm and Vienna. In addition to the children's film prize, the children's jury will also award the DIAMOND for the best child actor.

How do you actually become a mascot?
Before me, it was someone from my old class, a good friend, Paul. And that sounded pretty cool, so I wanted to do it too. My mum knew someone who knew someone. So one thing led to another and I'm delighted that it worked out.

You have to apply, don't you? What do they ask you?
Yes, there was another interview. You have to tell them who you are and all that. And you can't be afraid to speak in front of lots of people in the cinema or give interviews and have your photo taken. But I'm happy to do that.

Were there many applicants?
I don't know exactly. I think there were two or three others last year - in the end, I came out on top. Maybe not so many people realise that you can become a mascot.

You did it last year, what do you think is so great about being the mascot?
Many people have said that I did a great job. Plus, you can watch films all week and don't have to sit in school. You have to catch up on the material, but my class is with the rascal for one or two days. So I don't have to spend as long on schoolwork as I would if I were at school.

In addition to the film screenings, the film festival also offers an extensive programme for school classes, after-school children and kindergarten groups. In various workshops, children and young people get an insight into film production and have the opportunity to engage more deeply with film content.

Which films do you particularly enjoy watching?
I used to love watching Star Wars. We have the Narnia trilogy on DVD at home, it's more like ancient times, it's also quite exciting and I like watching it.

So it's more fantasy, science fiction?
Yes, but I also like watching You Tube.

A lot of international guests come to Chemnitz, do you already speak a few other languages?
I know a bit of English and I'm currently learning French. But I don't have to talk to the guests that much. When they are there, they are more into their films.

The films are often shown in the original language with subtitles, right?
Yes, all international films are in the original language, for example in Finnish or Spanish. They have English subtitles. So that visitors can understand the films, there is a "reader" who translates live into German in the cinema.

Could you perhaps greet the guests in another language?
In English: "Hello, my name is Sven. What's your name?" And in French either "Bonjour" or "Salut. Je m'appelle Sven", my name is Sven or "Je suis Sven", I am Sven. "Et toi", and you?

Do you often have to say something on stage?
Yes, when I introduce the films or say something about the voting for the audience award. And I have to say a bit more about the opening film. Mostly, though, I get asked questions. I am the face of the festival and establish a connection between the children in the audience and the respective film teams, i.e. the child actors. At the awards ceremony on 10 October, I have to say who has won the prizes.

What do your friends think of you doing this? Do they even know that you're the film festival's mascot or will they only see you at the festival?
I haven't talked to them about it yet. I think they'll see me there first when they come to the cinema. The headmaster knows and so does my teacher.

What does this great film festival mean for our city of Chemnitz, how do you rate it?
It's very important because famous people from many other countries, even from far away, come to the cinema. After all, it's the biggest German children's and youth film festival. This year, the Chemnitz Uferstrand is also taking part for the first time. Next Wednesday, the "Long Night of Short Films" will be shown there. However, films will not only be shown in Chemnitz, but also in Freiberg and Leipzig.

What else do you like to do apart from watching films?
Playing with my mobile phone, reading, going to the cosmonaut centre and playing table tennis. I was at the city championships at the weekend and came third in the singles. I'm now competing in the district championships in Zwickau.

What would you like to be when you grow up, do you already have a career aspiration?
I would like to go into computer science. In TC (technology/computers, editor's note) I only got A's and B's in fifth form.

Chemnitz is your home city, what do you particularly like about it?
I generally like the city centre. Especially the Cinestar, which is also where the Schlingel Festival is held. And Konkordiapark, where I particularly like riding my scooter.

What else would you like to see done for children in Chemnitz?
That there was a large public football pitch. Or even better, several. With one, everyone would be jostling for space. Or something like the Konkordiapark, for example. After all, that's always full too.

Do you have to encourage the people of Chemnitz?
Not necessarily, but yes, you could. Chemnitz is a beautiful city. You can tell the people of Chemnitz that again and again. After all, the Schlingel Festival also takes place here.

What else would you tell them?
That everyone should visit the festival at least once. No matter how old you are. There are also films for adults in the evening.