Tales From the Magic Garden

An uplifting stop-motion film that celebrates creativity and the healing magic of imagination. When children spend the night at their grandfather’s house, they begin inventing tales to fill the silence left by their grandmother, discovering the transformative power of storytelling.

When Tom, Susan, and Derek visit their grandfather for the first time since losing their beloved grandmother, they find the house quiet and their grandfather distant. Inspired by her grandmother, Susan begins telling magical stories—featuring a mysterious cat, a gentle monster, and a flying man—that slowly rekindle joy in the house. Through the children’s vivid imagination, the family discovers lessons about bravery, kindness, and finding light even in life’s darkest moments.

Brought to life with stunning stop-motion animation, this heartwarming adaptation of Czech writer Arnošt Goldflam’s book shows how storytelling – much like filmmaking itself – can build worlds, shape experiences, and guide audiences through emotion, wonder, and discovery.

DUTCH PREMIERE
Age recommendation: 6+

Sunday 9 November at 10:45h

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Programme section: Children’s Film
Original title: Pohádky Po Babičce | Year: 2025 | Duration: 71′
Country: Czechia, Slovakia, Slovenia, France | Language: Czech | Subtitles: English
Director: David Súkup, Patrik Pašš, Leon Vidmar, Jean-Claude Rozec
Production: Maur Film, Artichoke, ZVVIKS, Vivement Lundi !; Česká Televise, STVR, RTV Slovenija, Pictanovo | Screenplay: Marek Král, Petr Krajíček, Patrik Pašš, Jerneja Kaja Balog, Maja Križnik, Blandine Jet | Cinematography: Radka Šplíchalová, Václav Fronk, Alan Soural, Simona Weisslechner, Miloš Srdić, Mathilde Gaillard | Editing: Adéla Špaljová | Sound: Miroslav Červená Chaloupka

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DIRECTORS’ BIO

David Súkup is a Czech filmmaker. He directed “Light” and “The Mechanics”, both of which screened in the Cinéfondation selection at Cannes. He is also part of the directing trio who created the animated film “Fimfárum – The Third Time Lucky”. Patrik Pašš is a Slovakian director who co-wrote “The Last Bus”, which won the Grand Prix at the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film in 2012. He also created Slovakia’s first-ever graphic novel. Leon Vidmar is a Slovenian director known for his film “Farewell”, which screened at over 80 festivals and won seven awards. Jean-Claude Rozec is a French director who has made four award-winning short films, including the Oscar shortlisted “Specky Four-Eyes” and “The House of Dust”

PRODUCTION NOTE

In 2016, the Czech company MAUR film secured the rights to “Tales from the Magic Garden”, a collection of unique and modern fairy tales by Arnošt Goldflam. Producer Martin Vandas, after reading the book to his daughter, was immediately struck by its originality, magic, and cinematic potential. Producers from Slovakia, Slovenia, and France joined, and this group had previously collaborated through the CEE Animation network. It took ten years to complete the film, and the production was divided into four parts with teams working in four countries, making it a unique project. The film, intended for both children and adults, brings to life Goldflam’s idea that even unwanted or seemingly insignificant things matter. The film reflects on mortality and loss but approaches these heavy themes with a light touch, using kindness, humour, and imagination. By engaging children, parents, and grandparents alike, the filmmakers aim to foster intergenerational conversation and shared experiences.

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Eastern Neighbours Film Festival

Tales From the Magic Garden

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