From its humble beginnings as a children's film section at interfilm's International Short Film Festival Berlin in 2000, KUKI's growing success led to its eventual emancipation in 2008 when KUKI celebrated its first edition as a festival in its own right. Known for its exceptional programming the International Short Film Festival for Children and Youth Berlin is dedicated to presenting fabulous and unusual films that young people would otherwise rarely get a chance to see.  

From the approximately 800 short films entered to the festival from all over the world, we assemble programmes bursting with entertaining and imaginative films. Carefully selected to suit audiences of varying age groups, the films are organised into programmes for children aged 4+, 6+, 10+, 12+ and 14+. Each film is screened in its original version and professional actors provide live German voice-overs when required.

The KUKI Festival comprises 3 competition programmes for children and 1 competition programme for youth, the tremendously popular and lively kindergarten screening for 4-6 year olds (with presenters and live-music), short documentaries, foreign language programmes (for ages 14+) in English, Spanish, and French as well as an Environmental Programme that highlights a different focus each year.  After every screening the audience is encouraged to participate in open discussions and question and answer sessions with filmmakers.

Winners of the Best Film for Children are selected by a jury of children and the Best Film for Youth is an audience competition. 

The KUKI Festival takes place in the same week as the International Short Film Festival Berlin and is therefore a hub of networking opportunities for filmmakers from all over the world.

Boasting an enthusiastic audience of approximately 3,000 (predominantly young people aged between 4 and 17 years of age), the KUKI festival week starts with a celebratory Opening Matinee, continues with a week full of diverse screenings and traditionally ends with a free family programme, loads of popcorn and a colourful Closing Party!

KUKI- A world of wonders for growing minds!