Sometimes we tend to forget what is closest to us. Right here, in the Netherlands, there's an abundance of talent. Have faith, trust us, and discover the best of Dutch animation.
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Think the Netherlands is only about tulips, cheese, and canals? Think
again. This short film programme proves we've got more talent than just
riding bikes without breaking a sweat. Turns out, when we're not busy dodging rain or winning sports medals, we're actually crafting brilliant animation films... There is so much talent right here, in the Netherlands, that Kaboom just HAS to dedicate a whole competition to Dutch shorts. Who needs Hollywood when you've got the polder?
The lonely teenager Yo hurls tomatoes in frustration and accidentally hits Lydia, an elderly woman with a disability. Rushing to her aid, he soon discovers that Lydia is not as helpless as she seems. Gradually, the line between perpetrator and victim blurs.
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Error: Connection Lost is an autobiographical story that portrays the quiet, disorienting experience of a child shaped by migration’s instability. Centered on a brother and sister growing up in Ukraine in the early 2000s, the film follows their move to the Netherlands and the way they eventually drift apart.
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During a stormy night, our familiar reality becomes entangled with another dimension. Two timelines collide, leading to a fatal outcome. This dark, unsettling stop-motion thriller by Patrick Raats will literally make you grind your teeth.
Young Freya loves her dad, even though he doesn’t always love her back. As she grows up, she develops a passion for climbing, but her father disapproves. His harsh words weigh on her until they take over her life. Through self-acceptance and hard work, she learns to break free from his opinion. Dad Said is gripping story about how parental influence can shape one’s growth.
Journalist and activist Hoi Yi fights against the growing global rise of surveillance and censorship while suppressing his queer identity from his family. The personal repression he faces is reflected in his commitment to the freedom of others. Breaking Walls is a poignant documentary that throws you into the protagonist’s dilemmas from the first scene.
This animated short reimagines the story of Laika, the first dog in space, giving her the adventure she deserved. In a surreal, dreamlike adventure, she runs, jumps, and dances through the solar system, traveling ever closer to the sun. Short, colorful, and very sweet tribute by Nina Fock.
A girl’s peaceful sleep is ruined by a relentless mosquito. She tries hiding, hunts it down, and finally catches it—then hesitates, feeling a strange compassion. But when it returns, her patience snaps, and she kills it. Only then can she finally return to bed… until the next mosquito appears.
Sad Cat Crunch is a short animated film about the shooting of a breakfast cereal commercial that goes completely awry in the actor's mind. Obsessed with fame and fortune, he begins to notice suspicions of doubt and delusions within himself. Only, as his inner conflict grows, does the commercial take an unexpectedly deadly turn. David Lynch would be proud.
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To what extent can you choose how close to come to another person’s body? You Don’t Know How I Love You explores how crossing physical boundaries can come from care or self-interest. This fairytale-like analog animated film, set in a deserted winter forest, delicately examines loneliness and bodily autonomy.
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!
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