The jurys have spoken and here are the results.
The City of Malmö Children’s Film Award – 100.000 sek
Motivation: To an authentic and unsentimental film that does not shy away from depicting painful experiences head-on. The dialogue and humour consistently hit the right tone. It is a masterfully written and unpredictable journey that entertains while being completely believable, dancing beautifully between social realism and fantasy. We love the message that in the darkest of times, when it seems like earth is opening up under your feet, you can trust other people to catch you. Just like the family in the film we feel we have been served a warm, hearty meal when the world needs it the most. And we have been given a sense of wonder and hope in the form of a blue whale.
Winner: Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake, directed by: Irene Iborra
The Church of Sweden Award – 100.000 sek
Motivation: After an opening that feels lifted straight out of an American teen movie, the director unexpectedly leads us into existential reflections on reconciliation, responsibility, and compassion. On the one hand, this film is a goofy comedy about a fourteen-year-old boy’s attempts to seduce the girl next door, on the other, a political drama about how much family members need to rely on each other when wages don’t even cover the rent and the social safety net is missing. In 84 minutes, the audience goes through laughter, emotional turmoil and thoughts on what truly matters in life. This year’s winner of the Church of Sweden Film Award is Olmo.
Winner: Olmo, directed by: Fernando Eimbcke
Young People’s Jury for Film Award – 25.000 sek
Motivation: This movie tells a story about how friendship and solidarity can help people overcome tough situations in life. It shows how teenagers often face intense pressure due to the people around them and the expectations people have for them. With natural acting, great cinematography, and emotional music, the film keeps you engaged from start to finish. The strong performances and touching story leave the audience with hope.
Winner: The Girls From Above, directed by: Bérangère McNeese
The Region of Skåne Short Film Award – 100 000 kr
Motivation: Region Skåne’s award for best short film goes to a work permeated by warmth, even as it explores the vulnerability of children whose families fail to provide safety. Thanks to its subtly heightened realism, we are drawn into a quietly suspenseful story about friendship. Here, boys are allowed to be both victims and perpetrators without ever losing their human complexity. Rarely have we seen a short film that so effectively, both stylistically and dramaturgically, portrays the way out of loneliness from a consistent child´s perspective. The winner of the short film award 2026 is The Corkscrew..
Winner: The Corkscrew, directed by: Torfinn Iversen
ECFA Award
Motivation: This curious story made us sit on the edge of our seats and made us and the audience laugh out loud. The film show us a world that is dominated by adults, but as we all know they are seldom right. It shows children a world that is so close, but also so far away. This film has been crafted with a lot of detail and love for the image. This film is an unusual invitation to audiences to reflect on the systems that keep us place and imagine a future outside of them. Sometimes it takes something small to change the perspective of a community. And therefore this film learns us to not judge a book by its cover.
Winner: Dante, directed by: Linda Hambäck
Barnfondens´ Award
Motivation: When someone moves, the void of what is left behind can feel enormous. Through Pola’s journey, we see a main character who, when she gets involved in a bigger cause, dares to open up to new communities outside the safe bestie bubble. It is an exuberant film with talented actors, a wonderful summer theme and a story that, like a roller coaster, takes us through all the emotions of summer.
The film reminds us that democracy is something we easily take for granted and forget to use – but it is a tool for everyone, regardless of age. It is an inspiring example that children’s opinions matter and that, when they raise their voices, they deserve to be listened to.
Winner: Splish Splash Forever!, directed by: Natascha Beller.
Fipresci – new award at BUFF
FIPRESCI, The Fédération Internationale de la Presse Cinématographique, or International Federation of Film Critics, is presenting its first award at BUFF. The collaboration has been made possible by ECFA and will recognize a film that demonstrates outstanding artistic quality and resonates with its audience in an exemplary manner.
Motivation: Our choice is a story where freestyle rap takes on a form of therapy, protest and a display of raw energy. It is a hard-hitting coming-of-age tale where rhythm becomes the language of survival. Beneath its pounding verses lies the legacy of a muslim mother from Mali living in Barcelona, whose strength and traditions resonate in every line the protagonist speaks. Words are bullets here – tools for self-empowerment that evolve into a quest for identity. The lyrics themselves become the film’s true cinematic space, building towards a final battle. For this celebration of language, identity and courage, we unanimously honor Beef (Ruido) and its director, Ingride Santos, with the FIPRESCI Prize.
Winner: Beef, directed by Ingride Santos
FOMP Award – 10 000kr
Winner: Gunilla Célen
BUFF Nordic Star
Throughout the year, these Nordic actors stand out a little extra and we want to highlight their contributions.
Ellen Edith Pultz-Hansen as Mira in Mira
Saga Stenman as Chris in Nipster
Luiza Idrizi as Ronja in Stargate – en julberättelse
