Growing Gains

Festival
26th Youth and Children's Film Festival, PÖFF Shorts 2026

Growing up involves a few defining moments in every young person's life. There are joys, such as discovering your true passion or falling in love for the first time, but also sorrows—falling victim to bullying or realizing you don't feel comfortable in your own body. The collection "Growing Gainsains" brings these moments to viewers through six international short films.

Short films about the bittersweet moments of growing up.

Screenings

5th Lux Hall Apollo Kino Plaza
Screening070515 / Kasvurõõmud
Q&A duration
Screening duration
5th Lux Hall Apollo Kino Plaza
Screening170519 / Kasvurõõmud
Screening duration

Just Film is presented by

Films

Calamity Wayne

Local title
Calamity Wayne
Director
Carleton Rodgers
Year
2026
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2026
Programme
Subject

It's 1966 and timid 10-year-old Wayne, named after tough-guy Western star John Wayne, is challenged to a fight. To win the affection of his crush, Annette, he must confront his bully in a High Noon, high-stakes movie-theatre showdown. Wayne must now find the courage to face his fears and become the hero he was named to be...

Director
Carleton Rodgers
Screenwriter
Carleton Rodgers
Producer
Michael Costello, Rachel Coffey
Cast
Seamus Brady, Zoe Gribbon, Memphis Oniru, James Doran, Sean Carron, Rylee Neilly-Large
Cinematographer
Carl Quinn
Editing
Carleton Rodgers
Production Design
Lucy Reid
Composer
James Everett
Runtime
Language
Subtitles

Strong as a Lion

Local title
Tugev nagu lõvi
Original title
Fort comme un lion
Director
Nathan Villanneau
Country
Year
2025
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2026
Programme
Genre
Subject

Léonard is a victim of bullying. One autumn morning, a storm prevents him from taking his bike and forces him to board the school bus.

Director
Nathan Villanneau
Screenwriter
Claire Griois, Nathan Villanneau
Producer
Thierry Bohnke, Nathan Villanneau
Co-producer
Thierry Bohnke
Cast
Corentin Deschamps, Noam Villa, Charlie Vauselle, Leo Navas Bodin
Cinematographer
Lauranne Arrighy
Editing
Cécile Pradére
Editing
Cécile Pradère
Production Design
Émilie Bernard
Composer
Mathieu Coupat, Camille Després
Sound
Yvan Buttaud Gallot Lavalée
Runtime
Language
Subtitles

When I Was Ten

Local title
Kui ma olin kümnene
Original title
Dah Salegim
Director
Mahtab Pishghadam
Country
Year
2026
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2026
Programme
Genre
Subject

Mahan moves through childhood with rap as a space for freedom and self-expression. As the expectations around them begin to shape their world, the film follows Mahan through moments in which they try to simply be themselves.

Director
Mahtab Pishghadam
Screenwriter
Mahtab Pishghadam, Mohammad Shirvani
Producer
Mahtab Pishghadam, Abbas Nassiri, Behnam Sanaei
Cast
Aria Zaker, Shghayehh Faryadshiran, Siavash Soleimani, Amir Mohammadzadeh, Dariush Soleimani
Editing
Pooyan Sholevar
Production Design
Aisan Ghanbari
Sound
Peyman Vahedi
Runtime
Language
Subtitles

GAP

Local title
GAP
Director
Malin Nyqvist
Country
Year
2026
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2026
Programme
Genre
Subject

The social media façades of Onni and Sofia come crashing down. But maybe meeting IRL won't be so bad after all?

Director
Malin Nyqvist
Screenwriter
Malin Nyqvist
Producer
Julia Elomäki
Cast
Joa Dahlman, Ada Mustonen
Cinematographer
Aake Kivalo
Editing
Arttu Hokkanen
Editing
Arttu Hokkanen
Production Design
Outi Kallio
Sound
Lotta Mäki
Sound
Lotta Mäki
Runtime
Language
Subtitles

Lazare

Local title
Lazare
Original title
Lazare
Director
Claire Dietrich
Country
Year
2026
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2026
Programme
Genre
Subject

During recess, Lazare, Margot, and Joël, all 10 years old, see their classmates flying out through the classroom windows. The sky, in waves, sucks up everything in its path. If they do nothing, they too will disappear. But Lazare, seated in his wheelchair, sees the unfolding disaster differently.

Director
Claire Dietrich
Screenwriter
Claire Dietrich, Marie Heyse
Producer
Yannick Beauquis, Quentin Brayer
Cast
Axel Delage, Louise Mauroy-Panzani, Ayden Rochelle
Cinematographer
Simon Roche
Editing
Dinah Ekchajzer
Production Design
Armelle Rabaté
Composer
Jonathan Bauer
Sound
Nicolas Cadiou, Jules Jasko
Runtime
Language
Subtitles

Asamaan

Local title
Taevas
Original title
Asamaan
Director
Samuel Kaperski, Célia Pyamootoo
Country
Year
2026
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2026
Programme
Genre
Subject

Aïcha, a 12-year-old girl, lives in the working-class neighborhood of Médina in Dakar, surrounded by her family. One evening, on her way home from school, she comes across a group of teenagers skateboarding. She is mesmerized by the tricks they perform. In that moment, everything changes and skateboarding becomes an obvious calling, something she knows is meant for her.
Driven by the dream of becoming a champion, Aïcha must confront her father’s authority. Deeply rooted in traditional values, he forbids her from pursuing this passion.
Despite these obstacles, Aïcha embarks on a bold journey to chase her dream, defying social norms and family restrictions.
A story of perseverance and self-discovery, the film explores a young girl’s path toward emancipation, an ode to freedom.

Director
Samuel Kaperski, Célia Pyamootoo
Screenwriter
Samuel Kaperski, Célia Pyamootoo
Co-writer
Samuel Kaperski, Célia Pyamootoo
Producer
Camille Razat, Ousmane Fall
Cast
Ngoné Christiane Sarr, Samba Ly, Mouhamed Thiam, Awa Diop, Khady Ngoné Seck, Aminata Mbaye, Omar Sakho, Mohamed Kane, Alioune Sarr, Ndeye Awa Cisse, Nayette Diop, Aminata Ndiaye, Aziz Faye, Papa Dame Diop, Adama Dieye, Dame Fall
Cinematographer
Laurence Heintz
Editing
Samuel Kaperski, Célia Pyamootoo
Composer
Valentin Fayaud
Sound
Augustin Bretillard, Akim Ben Abass Sow
Runtime
Language
Subtitles