08/08/2023

As usual, DokuFest has a dedicated program strand for children. Screenings of animated films, workshops, and physical activities are being held for the second year at the ITP of Prizren.
DokuKids is dedicated to children aged 6 to 17, where through activities they learn to advance their knowledge, especially in creating animations.
The program divided into different age groups started a few days ago and will continue until the closing of the 22nd edition of DokuFest. The closing night of the most popular film festival in Kosovo will screen the film made by the children of DokuKids.

Zana Arapi-Xheladini, the coordinator of DokuKids, tells how the selection of animated films for children was made.
"This year, 125 films competed for the DokuKids category, but only a small selection met the DokuKids' strict criteria for a film to be accepted. But with guarantees from our partners from other festivals, we were able to provide 7 film programs for DokuKids".

Arapi-Xheladini also unveiled the program for workshops based on age groups.
"We have provided a film program for ages 6-9 and another program for ages 10 to 14. There are seven film-oriented workshops, creating animated films and a different activity to encourage children in physical activities, yoga sessions with trainer Erza Vokshi, which started today and will continue until the 11th. The workshops are divided based on age groups. The most advanced workshop, Animadoc is dedicated to 14-17-year-olds, Stop Motion Animation for 10-14-year-olds, Animated Alphabet and Hanafina for 8- 12-year-olds”.
She further announced that there was great interest in these workshops and film screenings, with a record number of applications, but next year measures will be taken to increase the capacities so that many more children can participate.

Nart Kirajtani, an annual participant in DokuKids, enjoys the activities that are taking place every day in the ITP spaces.
"The activity that I like the most is that we can watch animated films, do yoga, but also other activities related to AI. I have been to DokuKids several times since I was 7 years old.
When asked if he started using AI, Narti answered in a very interesting way: "I use AI if I have to ask about any scientist, such as Albert Einstein, or Elon Musk who has done many new things regarding AI".
And his favorite activity remains the realization of the film with a camera on Artificial Intelligence.

A similar opinion about the film was shared by another participant in DokuKids, Dëbora Asllani. "The activity that I liked the most was when we had to make a movie with cards. The topic was about the virus, and we had to fight more to destroy it. I found it very interesting that it takes many hours to make a 30-second film".

DokuKids activities will continue together with the main DokuFest program until August 12, which will be the last day of the 22nd edition.

By: Valona Hasani

Photo: Malda Lika