Curating suitable films for children aged 3-6 is challenging.
The Preschool App and Website (Børnebiffen i Dagtilbud) offers a selection of carefully curated films for pre-schoolers, with new titles added every year. The Danish Film Institute looks for films of artistic quality in different formats – live action, animation, and documentary. Animated films are the most easy to find. The repertoire presents a diversity of topics and ways of storytelling. Some of the films are Danish. Others, from around the world, are found at film festivals or via film distributors.
Selections from the Film Catalogue
In general, the Danish Film Institute believes that the younger the audience, the more simple, visual and short the film must be. Most pre-schoolers are curious about abstract and lyrical images and stories. Film is a powerful medium that evokes strong emotions. Even modest cinematic effects can affect the audience. Preferably, the film should contain humorous or fanciful elements, and be more light than dark.
The Danish Film Institute aims to give easy access to films that inspire dialogue and activity. In other words, the platform is designed to encourage pre-schoolers and educators to talk about films and be creative with film.