ANIMATION PITCH

PLAYGROUNDS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

1 h 30 min | animation pitches

TICKETS:

Thursday 20 March, 13:00 – 14:30 | free, register to secure your spot

Curious about upcoming exciting animation projects? Want to show your support for talented makers in the early stages of crafting their future films? Come enjoy presentations from Afan Zeng, Hyewon Jung, Laura Aldofredi, Puck Paassen and Zlatelina Tsokova.  

Afan Zeng (Jianqun Zeng) is an illustrator and animator from China but based in Netherlands. She loves creating fantasy worlds inspired by her emotions and senses, where she conjures characters that do not exist in reality.She hopes to light up peoples hearts with the world she made, even if it is just a little bit. She will introduce us to her project “Nieuw Home”.  

 Hyewon Jung is a creative storyteller from South Korea, based in Rotterdam. She explores a variety of medium as long as it gives creative freedom. Through her illustrations, 2D animation, moving images, designs, and other collaborative projects, she tells visual stories that go beyond what the audience see. Hyewon will talk about her upcoming animated short “Broken”. 

 Laura Aldofredi is an animation filmmaker and illustrator with experience in animation production and teaching. Laura will discuss her plan for a coming-of-age fairytale animation “Into the Woods” 

 Zlatelina Tsokova is an animation director and illustrator from Bulgaria, based in the Netherlands. With her graduation film Tech Check (screening also in our Student Shorts Competition) she explored the theme of anxiety. She draws her inspiration from punk, horror, anime, and philosophy. At the centre of her work lies an exploration of the human experience and the spiralling nature of our minds, which can alter perception of reality. Zlatelina will present her next project “Dance of Spirits” 

Puck Paassen is a visual activist, being passionate about both illustrated and animated storytelling. Her focus ison issues affecting young adults, diversity, feminism, and other similar themes she hopes to make more discussable, or at least more comfortable. Her art is rooted in entertainment, rather than in political statements. Sometimes delving into serious themes, but always balanced with a generous dose of (adult) humor. Her upcoming animation “Home Safe”will be a short film about sexual harassment, street safety, and anarchistic animals in marginalised communities 

Which of them will receive an encouraging prize of 2500- to take the first step into its development together with the Best Animated Pitch” title

OPENING NIGHT
with Aaron Blaise, Studio Birthplace, Next and Nawa Sira van Sluijs
artist talk, short film program
ARCANE
watch season 2 episode 1 & 2 on the big screen
film screening
THE ART OF THE 20 MIN PITCH
master the 20-minute pitch with Chris Mack (Netflix)
artist talk
I’M NOT A ROBOT
oscar shorts
short film program
MICKEY 17 (2025)
d. Bong Joon Ho
film screening
FILM COURSE: DESIGNING WORLDS
explore the core of production design
masterclass
STOP MOTION MAGIC
Aardman classics with Niels Hoebers
short film program, kids program
WORKSHOP: FLIPBOOK ANIMATION
with Aaron Blaise
workshop, kids program
SNOW BEAR
opening night
film screening, film fest
WORKSHOP: HOW TO MAKE A FILM WITH PAPER
with Vera van Wolferen
workshop, kids program
WANDER TO WONDER
oscar shorts
short film program
BEAUTIFUL MEN
oscar shorts
short film program
STOP MOTION CLASSICS
Aardman classics with Dan Ojari
short film program
FABULA (2025)
d. Michiel ten Horn
film screening
STUDENT FILM COMPETITION
official selection of student films
short film program
IK ZAL ZIEN (2025)
d. Mercedes Stalenhoef
film screening
THE JUNGLE BOOK (2016)
d. Jon Favreau
film screening
THE ART OF HAIR AND MAKE UP DESIGN
elevating storytelling with expert makeup & hair design
artist talk
GIVING A NEW VOICE TO ARCHIVAL MATERIAL
reclaiming history, redefining identity
artist talk
V FOR VENDETTA (2005)
d. James McTeigue
film screening
BEHIND THE SCENES OF AMSTERDAMNED 2
from photographer to film producer
artist talk
STORIES IGNITING ACTION
reclaiming storytelling for a healthy world
artist talk
MAKING MAGIC ON A BUDGET
learn how to create amazing films on a budget
artist talk
THROUGH THE LENS
pick the brains of experienced cinematographers
panel, Q&A
ANIMATION PITCH
keep an eye on future projects
pitch
REAL STORIES
hybrid documentaries
short film program
NEXT GEM
showcase of bright talent
short film program
SAUCY SELECTION
enjoy a saucy selection of short films by female and queer directors
short film program
MEETUP FOR INTERMEDIARIES AND EDUCATORS
get a taste of what Playgrounds International Film Festival is about
Q&A, education
EXPLORE OUR VENUE: NATLAB
practical info about the location
venue
FILMHELPDESK SPEED DATES
custom advice for your particular filmmaking challenge
Q&A
CINEMINI X PIFF
special program for the youngest cinephiles
short film program, kids program
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
connect young generations to the art of filmmaking
short film program, education
GREENER FILM MAKING
create with an eye on the future
panel, Q&A