Children's jury 2025

Meet the members of our children's jury.

They watch all nominated films and present awards for Best Film, Best Short Film and Best Short Documentary.

They also play all the games in the XL Medialab and choose a winner for the Medialab award.

Wondering what films our jury is watching?

Astor

I’m really glad to be part of the children’s jury, because my brother and sister have also done it before and they told me it was really fun. I’ve been coming to the JEF festival for a really long time, even since I was a little baby. We always had lollywaffles and I got my first film diploma there. It’s hard to pick my favourite film, because I have a lot of them. I enjoyed Ponyo. And My dad is a sausage was really funny. One day, I would like to lend my voice for an animation film.

Manoe

My name is Manoe, I’m 12 years old, from Ostend! I like sharing my opinion and I love stories. I’ve been a member of the reading jury for years. I’ve also been a judge at the Krikrak family festival. All that culture expands my horizons. I’m really glad to have the chance to judge films and more during the Youth Film Festival Antwerp. I really love watching films. Right now, Young Hearts is my favourite film. I can’t wait to have fun with JEF and the many activities at the Youth Film Festival Antwerp during carnaval break. See you there!

Cleo

I’m Cleo, I’m 12 years old. I love meeting up with my friends and crafting things. I’m really happy to be a member of the children's jury, I’m super excited! One of my favourite films is Top Gun Maverick, I have some others, but I’m never good at picking one.

Rik

The film festival is a really fun week for me, because I love watching films, but also gaming. I visited the Medialab with my school last year and it was really cool. My favourite film is Forrest Gump. It’s not really a children’s film but I really enjoy it because he tells his exciting life story as if nothing special happened.
I’m really looking forward to being on the jury and giving my opinion on the films.

Dries

Yay, I’m on the children’s jury! I’m so happy!

My first introduction to film was The Incredibles, later on I discovered the Youth Film Festival. Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds, meeting filmmakers and asking questions is always super interesting. Flow, I really love cats. I enjoy how all the animals work together, made in a blender with all kinds of sounds, so that you know what it is right from the beginning.

The XL Medialab is really a playground of dreams, VR worlds are so well-made and cool. Creating games in the Gamejam workshop was top-notch last time!

I can’t wait for carnaval break, Youth Film Festival Antwerp, where are you!!

Nina

After school, I like doing my hobbies such as dancing and music. And on the weekends I watch films with my parents and sister. One of my favourite films is Ghostbusters, because I love fantasy and there are so many ghosts in it. It’s an exciting story and a really original film. Being on the children’s jury seems really fun, because I love watching both feature films and short films. I want to help pick the best films and discover what it’s like to be on a jury, because I’ve never done that before. I’m really curious about this experience.

Elise

I’m Elise and I’m super excited to be on the children’s jury! I love films a lot, especially films from Studio Ghibli. I also love science fiction (like Doctor Who) and romantic films. I really love films and it’s really hard to pick one favourite film… I also love music a lot - I’m taking singing lessons and would like to set up a band one day - and so I'll definitely be paying attention to the film soundtracks too.

I love how films can sway you away on an adventure without you really being in danger. I’m curious about which films we’ll be getting to watch and I can’t wait for the festival to begin!

Awards presented by the children's jury

Best movie

festival award
nomination for the Felix Vanginderhuysen

Best short film

festival award

Best short documentary

festival award

Medialab award

festiv alaward