Co Hoedeman is a living legend and one of the masters of cinema. Discover his whimsical children's films with the whole family.
%2016x9.jpg?format=w1200)
Make room please! Legend incoming! Dutch-Canadian master of puppet and stop-motion animation Co Hoedeman has captivated audiences worldwide with his films and is an undisputed icon of the genre. Born during the German occupation of the Netherlands, surviving the Hunger Winter during WWII, leaving school at 15, taking courses when he could at the School of Fine Arts and learning the craft of (animation) film, experimenting with new techniques and materials, immigrating to Canada at age 25 with a film reel under his arm and a dream to work for the National Film Board of Canada's renowned animation unit, mastering stop-motion, studying puppet animation in Czechoslovakia, winning an Oscar(!), ... Co Hoedeman has seen and conquered it all.
His whimsical children's films are perhaps one of the wonders of the world. Therefore, we have carefully selected four of them for you to embrace! Witness some of the very best animated films in the Milky Way. Thank you, Co <3
Time for some theatre. When the curtains of the theatre opens, we are presented with ... another theatre, presided over by Marianne. She has a puppet theatre full of marionette acrobats. But everything that can go wrong does (Murphy's law, y'know!). Can Marianne make a good show? And who is REALLY calling the shots? This was Hoedeman's last film for the National Film Board in Canada and it's yet again a celebration of puppetry and meaningful stop-motion.
Forget the dragons of Game of Thrones or Smaug in The Hobbit, the greatest dragon is to be found in this little gem. One of Hoedeman's most beloved films, Tchou-Tchou tells the story of two children and their encounter with an angry dragon. And all is made with colourful wooden blocks. When you get home, you'll probably start playing with your wooden building sets again!
Creator meets creation. Here, Co Hoedeman and his newest cute creature together in this enchanting and vibrant fable about the joys and pains of growing up. No sooner has the paint dried, than the puppet begins to take its first few steps and, urged on by Co himself, begins to discover a wider world. Live-action, puppets and pixilation create this amazing world of fantasy. What's in the box? Let's found out.
Playing with sand is pure fun, even Co Hoedeman is a big fan! His Oscar-winning short shows how a sandman comes alive and starts building his own quirky little creatures. Together they build a sand castle. Relentlessly creative, the film is proof of Hoedeman's immense talent as an animator and storyteller. Feel the sand between your toes already?
Kaboom Animation Festival is the one-stop-shop for the latest and greatest in all things animated. Ranging from cutting-edge experimental arthouse to colorful stories for families and kids, Kaboom will cater to the animation needs of all. Yes, even yours, my amazing weirdo friend!
© 2026. Website by Have a Byte!
