Screening curated selections of films during our festivals and events has always been part of our DNA. Whether there was a common theme or a connection to one of our guest speakers, our audiences have always loved these intimate screenings.
We’ve taken the hint and are expanding our efforts to introduce the inaugural Art Department Film Fest, hosted in the iconic former Philips Natlab!
Audiences will enjoy a perfect blend of independent short films, fresh new talent and Hollywood blockbusters – so, there’s sure to be something for everyone!
The short film program brings together an eclectic mix of erotic shorts by female filmmakers, hybrid documentaries as well as social campaign videos. You can even discover fresh talent at our Student Award Competition.
In the blockbusters program, we’ll revisit classics like Jurassic Park as well as animation game changers like Fantastic Mr. Fox, Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse and Isle of Dogs. What’s more, they’ll all be introduced by artists who worked on them to give you new insight and peeks behind the scenes.
Scroll on to discover more.
MON 15 APRIL 20:00 | GAMECHANGERS – FANTASTIC MR.FOX
In his first foray into animation, renowned director Wes Anderson took on the beloved Roald Dahl story and brought it to life in a charming, tactile stop-motion world. Fantastic Mr. Fox brought together an all-star cast including George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe, and Owen Wilson, and upon its release, it became an instant classic.
We’re thrilled to welcome film lecturer Twan Arts to lead a masterclass before the screening. During his talk, Twan will dig into what exactly makes this film stand out and why it remains so memorable. Together, we’ll explore Anderson’s distinctive animation style that sets Fantastic Mr. Fox apart while gaining insights into Anderson’s creative vision.
TUE 16 APRIL 20:00 | SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE | INTRO BY JEFFREY THOMPSON
A fan-favourite, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse gave audiences a bold new take on a familiar IP. The film’s inventiveness on both a narrative and visual level landed it a slew of awards including the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. The first instalment in the Spider-Verse Saga, Into the Spider-Verse was released in 2018 and directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman.
The film follows Miles Morales, a Brooklyn teenager who, after being bitten by a radioactive spider on a subway, develops new powers which transform him into the superhero we know and love. However, after meeting Peter Parker, he quickly realises his powers aren’t as unique as he first thought. Miles is catapulted across the multiverse as he battles the evil Kingpin, a madman capable of opening portals between universes, pulling in different versions of Spider-Man along the way. During the screening we’re joined by visual development artist Jeffrey Thompson.
WED 17 APRIL 20:00 | ISLE OF DOGS | INTRO BY ANNA MANTZARIS
Released in 2018, director Wes Anderson’s second animated feature, Isle of Dogs, transports audiences into the bleakly beautiful fictional city of Megasaki. The film lingers in your mind thanks to the intricate world-building, soulful characters and compelling story.
After a royal decree exiles all canine animals to Trash Island, 12-year-old Atari sets off to find his beloved bodyguard dog, Spots. Isle of Dogs tells the story of Atari and his newly befriended pack of mongrels’ epic journey that will eventually decide the fate and future of the entire Prefecture. An all-star line-up of voice actors includes Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Bryan Cranston, Tilda Swinton, Scarlett Johansson, Jeff Goldblum and more.
THU 18 APRIL 16:00 | CHANGE YOUR WORLD | SHORT FILM PROGRAM
Campaigning for a better world and giving voice to the under-represented, breaking taboos and shocking the system. Be inspired to start making the world a better place! A selection of social campaign video’s and activist short films by artists taking the TAD stage alongside works by emerging talent.
THU 18 APRIL 20:00 | JURASSIC PARK | INTRO BY CRASH McCREERY
Jurassic Park redefined the cinematic landscape and inspired a generation of filmmakers. So we’re beyond thrilled to welcome Crash, the man who designed all those fearsome creatures, to Playgrounds. In his introduction, he’ll discuss his involvement in the project from his early T-Rex sketches to the finalised monsters.
Directed by Steven Spielberg, Jurassic Park is a science fiction-adventure-drama film based on a novel of the same name, written by Michael Crichton. When a group of scientists are invited to an elusive park populated by de-extinct dinosaurs, industrial sabotage sets the terrifying monsters on the loose. The visitors are forced to band together to try and escape the island. Delivering iconic performances, the film stars Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Sam Neill and Richard Attenborough.
FRI 19 APRIL 18:50 | ALL FEMALE – SAUCY SELECTION | SHORT FILM PROGRAM
Enjoy the most saucy selection of short animation films made by female directors. A program co-curated by Hannah Lau-Walker, initiator of She Drew That, a multi-platform community of women in the animation industry. The She Drew That collective aims to develop female (the descriptor including cisgender, transgender and non-binary people) freelancers’ skills and connect them with people in the animation industry to enhance their employability.
Expect a program where the line between the erotic and the artistic blurs into a mesmerizing whirlwind of expression. Juicy content, quirky stories, visual pleasures but most of all a fantastic female gaze. Blushing is obligated.
FRI 19 APRIL 20:00 | SHOWCASE WITTE WIEVEN | WITH DIDIER KONINGS
In this exclusive showcase Didier Konings shares his journey making his debut horror film: Witte Wieven.
Witte Wieven takes us to a puritanical Dutch village during the Dark Ages. Here, Frieda, a newlywed young woman, struggles against a community that blames her for not providing her husband with a child. Believing God will provide salvation, she immerses herself in religion with the help of the local priest.
But when a lecherous butcher pursues her into a forbidden forest only for her to later return to the village unscathed, the community once again grows suspicious. Was it God who protected her? Or the dark forces living deep within the forest? The balance of power changes when Frieda’s own superstitions morph into something more sinister: a strong faith in the force that lingers in the darkness.
THU 18 APRIL 18:50 | STUDENT ANIMATION COMPETITION | SHORT FILM PROGRAM
Discover the best and the freshest animation talents. In this selection you see graduation projects from the dutch film and art academies. Get immersed into the stories of the next generation.
Towards the Roar directed by Milan Schweiger
More Than One directed by Afan Zeng
I Am Here directed by Cheyenne Goudswaard
Rotten Child directed by Tatevik Martirosyan
Dearly Departed directed by Gabriella Lichtneker
The Deer directed by Baran Sedighian
The Dance With Fear directed by Doortje Schoonbrood
Memories in Bloom directed by Yoanna Kolveva & Evelijn Neefjes
Stekken directed by Joeri Teijma
Cinder directed by Carmen Maria & Stijn van der Plas
Yaar directed by Nahid Malayeri
FRI 19 APRIL 16:00 | REAL STORIES | SHORT FILM PROGRAM
Non fictional storytelling goes beyond the traditional documentary. Get a glimpse of a selection of real stories told in hybrid forms.
Buurman Abdi directed by Douwe Dijkstra
Swimming with Wings directed by Daphna Awadish
The Choolers: Fish & Meat directed by Monsieur Pimpant