Every spring, the Kristiansand International Children’s Film Festival (Barnefilmfestivalen) transforms this coastal city into Norway’s capital of children’s cinema. Launched in 1998, it has grown into the country’s largest and oldest festival dedicated to young audiences, drawing filmmakers, educators, and families from across Scandinavia and beyond. For visitors, it’s a rare chance to see high-quality films from around the world—most of which never get a wide theatrical release—while enjoying the relaxed seaside charm of Kristiansand.
The festival’s heart is at the city’s main cinema, the Kristiansand Cinema (Kristiansand kino), with screenings and events also spilling into cultural venues, schools, and outdoor spaces. Programming spans animated features, live-action dramas, documentaries, and shorts tailored to specific age groups, from preschoolers to teens. English-language films are common, while foreign-language titles are typically subtitled, and many screenings offer family-friendly dubbing. A signature of the event is its emphasis on stories that reflect children’s real lives—friendship, identity, adventure, and resilience—often from countries you might not expect, giving young viewers a window onto the wider world.
Beyond screenings, the festival is known for hands-on experiences. Kids can join workshops on stop-motion animation, sound effects, and scriptwriting, meet visiting directors and voice actors, and participate in interactive Q&As after screenings. The festival also runs a Children’s Jury (Barnejuryen), where local youngsters debate and award their favorite films—an engaging way to develop media literacy and critical thinking. Adults aren’t left out: there are panels for educators, industry talks, and retrospectives that appeal to cinephile parents.
Timing typically falls in late April, sometimes overlapping with the Youth Film Festival (Ung Film) which focuses on teenage audiences and budding filmmakers. Most events are walkable from the compact city center, near The Cathedral Square (Torvet) and The Fish Market (Fiskebrygga), making it easy to combine a cinema itinerary with strolls along the waterfront or café breaks. For families, the pairing with The Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park (Kristiansand Dyrepark) adds an extra incentive to extend the trip, especially if you’re visiting over a long weekend.
Practicalities are straightforward. Tickets are usually released a few weeks in advance through the festival website and at Kristiansand Cinema, with multi-screening passes offering good value for families. Popular premieres and workshops can sell out early, so planning is wise. English-speaking visitors will find staff and volunteers helpful, and the city’s compact size—plus reliable buses and bike-friendly streets—makes logistics smooth. If you’re driving, central parking garages are close to venues, though walking is often quickest between screenings.
What makes the festival stand out is the atmosphere: it’s lively but unpretentious, welcoming to first-time festival-goers and seasoned film lovers alike. Children get to be the VIPs—asking questions, voting for awards, and discovering new favorites—while adults rediscover the joy of cinema through their kids’ eyes. Add in Kristiansand’s spring light, the harborside restaurants, and easy access to beaches like Bystranda, and you have an appealing cultural getaway that blends film, family fun, and coastal Norway at its best.
For travelers looking to pair culture with scenic charm, the Kristiansand International Children’s Film Festival is a compelling anchor for a visit. Come for the films, stay for the city, and leave with a suitcase of new stories—on-screen and off.