The 75th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), which took place from February 13 to 23 in Berlin, Germany, has come to a close. As usual, the festival announced winners across its various sections. One African project was named winner in the Generation section. Another African project received a special mention in the same section.
Ne réveillez pas l’enfant qui dort (Don’t Wake the Sleeping Child), received the Special Prize of the International Jury for Best Short Film in the Generation 14plus section. It is directed by Cameroonian-French filmmaker Kevin Aubert. This is the second most prestigious award in the category.
A Senegal-France-Morocco co-production, the film tells the story of Diamant, a 15-year-old girl from Dakar who dreams of making films, but faces opposition from her family. When Diamant falls into a mysterious deep sleep, her family is thrown into turmoil, forcing them to confront their own tensions and fears. The film stars Khadia Ndiaye Fall, Mama Sané, Samba Ly, and Adji Mareme Hanne. The film is produced by Chloé Ortolé.
While the Grand Prix of the International Jury for the Best Film was won by Christy, a film by Brendan Canty, Têtes brûlées, received a Special Mention Generation 14plus of the Grand Prix of the International Jury for Best Film. It is directed by Tunisian-Belgian-Danish filmmaker Maja-Ajmia Yde Zellama.
The film follows 12-year-old Eya, who grows up in a Tunisian-Muslim family in Brussels, as she navigates the grief and mourning after the sudden death of her brother, and how her life shatters after her brother’s death. Têtes brûlées’s casts include Safa Gharbaoui, Mehdi Bouziane, Mounir Amamra, Adnane El Haruati, and Saber Tabi. The film is produced by Marc Goyens and Nabil Ben Yadir.
Jury statements
Speaking about Ne réveillez pas l’enfant qui dort (Don’t Wake the Sleeping Child), the jury noted: “This film offers a deeply touching glimpse into a young girl’s life, her family, and her community. Its reserved storytelling and naturalistic cinematography create powerful, lasting emotions. With a strong visual style for a short film debut, the director shows great promise. Sometimes, quiet speaks volumes.”
Têtes brûlées received praise for “a remarkable debut that offers a rare glimpse into a world of solidarity and love through the eyes of a young girl. With visually fresh imagery and heartfelt storytelling, it brings grief’s complexity to the forefront, showing how loss can be painful and transformative. A bold yet gentle work, it reminds us of the power of unity in difficult times”.
About the Filmmakers
Kevin Aubert is a Cameroonian-French filmmaker. Ne réveillez pas l’enfant qui dort is his debut short film. In 2020, he founded Le Sel Dakar, Dakar’s only analogue film laboratory. Aubert also has a background in directing music videos, commercials, and music documentaries.
Maja-Ajmia Yde Zellama is a Tunisian-Belgian-Danish filmmaker, screenwriter, and a graduate of the LUCA School of Arts in Belgium. She is the co-founder of the trilingual casting agency E19. Têtes Brûlées, is also her debut feature film.
About the Berlinale Generation Awards
The Generation Awards, comprising Generation Kplus and Generation 14plus, are two competition programmes that showcase international cinema exploring the lives of children and teenagers. Feature films, documentaries, animations, genre films, and experimental works compete within the section’s two competitions.
