OPENING NIGHT

PLAYGROUNDS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

2h | short film, Q&A,  Playgrounds Next
Monday 17 March, 20:00 – 22:00

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE: €13 regular | €8,50 education

The official launch of the Playgrounds International Film Festival encapsulating what the festival is all about: the art of filmmaking in the spotlight. Special guest, legendary animator Aaron Blaise, will introduce and answer questions about his most recent short film Snow Bear that will have its Dutch premiere at our festival.

Set in a rapidly changing world, Snow Bear tells the story of a polar bear in an unforgiving environment on his quest to find a friend. This 2D hand drawn film was painstakingly created entirely by Aaron Blaise over 3 years.

We will also screen the Oscar nominated stop-motion animated short Wander to Wonder. Touching and spooky in the same time, Wander to Wonder follows Mary, Billybud, and Fumbleton stars of a the children’s television program. They are left alone in the studio after the show’s originator passed away. With their slowly decaying costumes and growing hunger, they continue to make increasingly strange episodes for their audience. The film is directed by Nina Gantz, a Dutch-born London-based film director, who recently rocked our stage during In Motion London.

In the course of the evening Playgrounds Next Talent Hub will present their new generation of talents from all disciplines that they will guide in the upcoming year. Playgrounds Next is a talent program for those who make innovative creative visual representations and explore the boundaries of the moving image. It is also the official film talent hub for the Province of Noord-Brabant.

Don’t miss an exclusive interview with Studio Birthplace, where they share insights on how storytelling ignites global action and creative resistance.

The evening will be moderated by documentary filmmaker and Radio1 presenter Nawa Sira van Sluijs. Through her work, Nawa speaks out against injustice and inequality, using her voice to raise awareness and promote change.

A diverse program showcasing the things that innovate but also make us love cinema in all shapes of forms!

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