In 1998, Danish Film Institute established the DFI Children & Youth unit to consolidate the strong position of Danish children's films at home and abroad.
The units tasks include film education, teacher training, distribution, regional screening programmes for schools and pre-school children, and an ongoing dialogue with the professional film industry as well as the Danish school system.
DFI initiatives for children
- Support for producing and launching feature films, short films and documentaries
- Purchase of and support for the import of films with artistic value
- Non-commercial distribution of films to libraries and schools: 2000 short fiction, documentary and feature films, 500 of which are in the school distribution system
- Film festivals for children
- A regional school cinema scheme
- Teaching materials and study guides
- Courses, seminars and conferences for teachers and media instructors
- Seminars and conferences for the professional film industry
- General consultancy services for teachers and the film industry on media education and films for children
- The DFI-run Cinematheque in Copenhagen shows a wide variety of cinema classics and new films. There are free screenings for pre-school children
- The Cinematheque also houses FILM-X — a computer-based, interactive film studio where children can explore the world of film and experiment withthe various aspects of film production
- Support for organisations and activities in the field of films for children and youth
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