elementary schools: grades V–VIII

Extraordinary Mona
dir. Sarah Van Dale | Belgium 2023 | 15 min. | film with Polish voice-over

Mona is extraordinary: she has a vivid imagination that helps her navigate the world around her. Like her brother, Mona is also on the autism spectrum. She decides to take an important and significant step in her life: moving from a special needs class to regular education.

Topics covered in the film: imagination, autism, new challenges, changing schools, differences, diverse perspectives on the world

Aikiddo
dir. Annabel Verbeke | Belgium 2022 | 15 min. | film with Polish voice-over

Aiko is a 10-year-old girl who lives in Brussels. After the isolation of the pandemic, she sets out into the city in search of new stories for her vlog, “Aikiddo.” Amid the sounds of the city, she hears music. Her curiosity leads to encounters with children across the city who express their emotions through music and rhythm. Together with her new friends, Aiko celebrates childhood, sound, singing, dancing, and beatboxing.

Topics covered in the film: music, friendship, childhood, isolation, discovery

Ninnoc
dir. Niki Padidar | the Netherlands 2015 | 19 min. | film with Polish voice-over

Ninnoc is a teenager with extraordinary sensitivity, facing a dilemma that we all know well: to fit in with her peers or remain true to herself? She doesn’t want to succumb to social pressure, but she fears exclusion. She loves to sing and dance because through art, she can express herself. However, as Ninnoc herself says, we only see what she chooses to show us.

Topics covered in the film: loneliness, coming of age, acceptance, differences, social pressure