PIFF 2026 EDUCATION PROGRAM

PLAYGROUNDS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2026

(NL) De nieuwe editie van Playgrounds International Film Festival (PIFF) staat volledig in het teken van het vakmanschap van filmmaken. We richten ons speciaal op de vaak onzichtbare, hands-on makers achter de schermen en introduceren we een nieuw educatief programma voor het vo en mbo.

(EN) The new edition of Playgrounds International Film Festival (PIFF) is all about the art of filmmaking. We focus specifically on the often invisible, hands-on creators behind the scenes and introduce a new educational program for secondary and vocational education.

Main Character Energy – PIFF Schoolvoorstelling
Wil je jouw leerlingen of studenten op een inspirerende manier laten kennismaken met film en animatie? Main Character Energy is een interactieve schoolvoorstelling van illustratie- en animatiemaker Puck Paassen (Patjakker) over het creëren van een sterk hoofdpersonage.

Deelnemers ontdekken hoe een karakter ontstaat: van eerste idee en schets tot een visueel ontwerp in animatie en live-action. Ze leren dat film maken een proces is van denken én doen, met technieken als tekenen (analoog en digitaal), 3D, stop-motion, SFX, styling en make-up.
Aan de hand van korte films, voorbeelden uit de industrie en Pucks eigen werk (incl. live tekenen) onderzoeken leerlingen en studenten hoe uiterlijk, techniek en verhaal samenkomen. Welke vorm past bij welk verhaal? En hoe vertaal je karaktereigenschappen naar beeld?

De voorstelling bevat ook een interactieve opdracht waarin deelnemers samen een karakter ontwikkelen met een focus op creatief denken, experimenteren en samenwerken.

Naast screenings van haar eigen werk, selecteerde Puck de volgende korte films uit het PIFF-programma:
Old Bag – Alice Guymer & John Ferrer (uit het PIFF Imagine Everything Competition programma)
Copy/Paste – Job van Etten (uit het PIFF Next Gem programma)
Showtime – Bram Fokkens (uit het PIFF Student Competition programma)

Praktische informatie
📅 13, 15, 16 april 2026 (of een andere datum in overleg)
⏱ Vanaf 75 minuten
👥 VMBO / VO / MBO
📍 Natlab Eindhoven of op school
🌐 Nederlands of Engels
💡 Sluit aan bij Kunst, CKV, Media, Film, Vormgeving en LOB

Programma-opties
Filmprogramma (75 min., €6,50 p.p.)
Filmprogramma en rondleiding (expo, Natlab en/of The Art Department) (150 min., €13 p.p.)
Filmprogramma en workshop (animatiefilm, foley of make-up) (150 min., €15 p.p.)
Maatwerkprogramma (bijv. screening, gastles, workshop) op school of bij Natlab (duur en kosten in overleg)

Kunnen jullie niet naar Natlab komen?
Dan komt PIFF naar school! In de klas kunnen we verschillende activiteiten verzorgen, zoals de filmvoorstelling Main Character Energy, workshops of een gastles van een filmmaker. Inhoud, datum en duur stemmen we samen af, flexibel en volledig op maat.

Jullie project als onderdeel van het filmfestival
Werken jullie met leerlingen of studenten aan een filmproject? Laat hun film schitteren bij PIFF! Deelnemers krijgen de unieke kans om hun werk te vertonen op het grote scherm van Natlab, tijdens PIFF of op een andere datum in overleg.

Waarom dit programma?
Met dit programma ontdekken deelnemers de veelzijdigheid en het vakmanschap van film en animatie. Ze maken kennis met het creatieve maakproces en met uiteenlopende (praktische) beroepsmogelijkheden binnen de filmwereld. Zo biedt PIFF inspiratie voor hun (vervolg)opleiding en een mogelijke toekomst in de creatieve sector.

Vrijblijvend aanmelden en meer info
Meld je vrijblijvend aan via dit formulier. Daarna stemmen we definitieve afspraken af.  Of neem contact op met Shirley Hendrikse voor meer info: shirley[at]weareplaygrounds.nl, 06-149 82 414.

Van 13 tot en met 19 april 2026 beleef je de tweede editie van PIFF in samenwerking met Natlab. Dit festival zet de kunst en het vakmanschap van filmmaken in de schijnwerpers met een veelzijdig programma vol vernieuwende blockbusters, arthousefilms en inspirerende kortfilm programma’s.

Main Character Energy – PIFF School film program
Would you like to introduce your students to film and animation in an inspiring way? Main Character Energy is an interactive film program by illustrator and animator Puck Paassen (Patjakker) about creating a strong main character.

Participants discover how a character is created: from the initial idea and sketch to a visual design in animation and live action. They learn that filmmaking is a process of thinking and doing, using techniques such as drawing (analog and digital), 3D, stop-motion, SFX, styling, and makeup.
Using short films, industry examples, and Puck’s own work (including live drawing), pupils and students explore how appearance, technique, and story come together. Which form suits which story? And how do you translate characteristics into images?

The presentation also includes an interactive assignment in which participants develop a character together with a focus on creative thinking, experimentation, and collaboration.

In addition to screenings of her own work, Puck selected the following short films from the PIFF program:
Old Bag – Alice Guymer & John Ferrer (from the PIFF Imagine Everything Competition program)
Copy/Paste – Job van Etten (from the PIFF Next Gem program)
Showtime – Bram Fokkens (from the PIFF Student Competition program)

Practical information
📅 April 13, 15, 16, 2026 (or another date in consultation)
⏱ From 75 minutes
👥 VMBO / VO / MBO
📍 Natlab Eindhoven or at school
🌐 Dutch or English
💡 Fits in with Art, CKV, Media, Film, Design, and LOB

Program options
Film program (75 min., €6.50 per person)
Film program and guided tour (exhibition, Natlab, and/or The Art Department) (150 min., €13 per person)
Film program and workshop (animated film, foley, or makeup) (150 min., €15 per person)
Customized program (e.g., screening, guest lecture, workshop) at school or at Natlab (duration and costs to be agreed)

Can’t visit Natlab? 

Then PIFF will come to your school! We can organize various activities in the classroom, such as the film program Main Character Energy, workshops, or a guest lecture by a filmmaker. We will agree on the content, date, and duration together, in a flexible, fully customized way.

Your project as part of the film festival
Are you working with students on a film project? Let their film shine at PIFF! Participants have the unique opportunity to showcase their work on the big screen at Natlab during PIFF or on another date to be agreed.

Why this program?
This program allows participants to discover the versatility and craftsmanship of film and animation. They are introduced to the creative process and a wide range of (practical) career opportunities within the film world. In this way, PIFF offers inspiration for their (further) education and a possible future in the creative sector.

Register without obligation and get more info
Register without obligation using this form. We will then agree on the final arrangements. Or contact Shirley Hendrikse for more info: shirley[at]weareplaygrounds.nl, +31 (0)6-149 82 414.

From April 13 to 19, 2026, you can experience the second edition of PIFF in collaboration with Natlab. This festival puts the art and craft of filmmaking in the spotlight with a diverse program full of innovative blockbusters, arthouse films, and inspiring short film programs.  

LABYRINTH
artists favorites Read more
BIG FISH
artists favorites Read more
SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE
creator's insights by Bastien Grivet Read more
PUSS IN BOOTS
creator's insights by Nathan Fowkes Read more
SPACE CADET
pre-premiere Read more
OSCAR SHORTS
watch academy awards winners on the big screen Read more
FOLEY WORKSHOP WITH Ronnie Van Der Veer
take a dive into the art of creating foley for a film Read more
FILMWORKER (DIRECTOR’S CUT 2026)
documentary premiere Read more
THE FORGOTTEN BATTLE
creator's insights by Ronnie van der Veer Read more
DOCUMENTARY: JODOROWSKY’S DUNE
documentary Read more
GHOST STORIES
anthology of short films Read more
KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE
film screening and draw workshop by Kimmicomics Read more
THE FANTASY FILM WORLDS OF GEORGE PAL
artist's favorites with screening of a short and intro by Cat Johnston Read more
THE ACTOR AS CO-CREATOR
talk by Mandela Wee Wee Read more
SUSPIRIA
piff classics Read more
METROPOLIS
piff classics Read more
CINEMINI X PIFF
special program for the youngest cinephiles
short film program, kids program
PIFF 2026 EDUCATION PROGRAM
join between 13-16 April 2026
education
CYCLE
VR experience
VR experience
STUDENT FILM COMPETITION
official selection of student films Read more
IMAGINE EVERYTHING COMPETITION
short films that dazzle our eyes and minds Read more
NEXT GEM
enjoy a selection of films from emerging makers to have on your radar Read more
SAUCY SELECTION
erotic shorts by female and queer makers Read more
TERRIFYING PRACTICAL EFFECTS
talk by Erik Hillebrink Read more
AWARDS SHOW
best of the best shorts from our competitions Read more
WORKSHOP: DESIGN YOUR OWN CHARACTER
children's program Read more
WORKSHOP: ANIMATION MAGIC
children's program Read more
MUSIC VIDEO NIGHT
dive in this fascinating world of a genre with an unique form of artistry Read more
MEET THE JURY FOR IMAGINE EVERYTHING COMPETITION
who will be giving out the award for best imagine everything film?
short film program, award show
MEET THE JURY FOR THE STUDENT FILM COMPETITION
who will be giving out the award for best student film?
short film program, award show
FILM EDUCATION KNOWLEDGE DAY
Filmhub Zuid x PIFF x Natlab
education
FILMHELPDESK SPEED DATES
custom advice for your particular filmmaking challenge Read more
DIY TO THE TOP
talk by Michael Middelkoop Read more
VISUALISING THE UNFILMABLE
talk by Jean Counet & Nordin Lasfar Read more
GUIDE THROUGH THE INDUSTRY
Interactive Q&A Session with Janey van Ierland Read more
PERIOD DRAMA ON A BUDGET
explore unconventional approaches to filmmaking with Charlotte Driessen Read more
BREAKING CREATIVE CENSORSHIP
explore the challenges of hybrid productions and the reality of working with sensitive subjects with Jan-Dirk Bouw Read more
FROM NEGATIVE TO POSITIVE: SHOOTING ON ANALOGUE FILM
panel with Lukas de Kort, Eva Heinsbroek, Daphne Maierna moderated by Simon Bavinck Read more
SCENES FROM THE LABYRINTH BESTIARY
free expo
expo
SCENES FROM MURMURATION
free expo
expo
FREE SIDE PROGRAM
free kids program
side program, kids program