REAL STORIES

PLAYGROUNDS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

1h 30 min | short film selection, part of Film Industry Day

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE ⬇️: €35 regular | €22,50 education
Friday, 21 March, 17:30

free access with TAD Eindhoven wristband

Non-fiction storytelling can be as inventive and visually groundbreaking as any other. Free from constraints, these documentaries can tell new stories and connect to audiences in new ways.

With the recent rise in popularity in these non-traditional stories we wanted to share some of our favourite short-format, mixed-media documentaries. We’re proud to have curated a stellar lineup featuring work from Rebecca Blöcher, Bee Grandinetti and Festus Toll.

We are also very excited to have animation director and co-founder of Panimation, Bee Grandinetti, with us to provide an intro for this screening.

Selected films:

– Mama Micra – Rebecca Blöcher | 24 min | Stopmotion Documentary
– Romina – Bee Grandinetti | 5 min 35 sec | Animated Documentary
– The Story of Ne Kuko – Festus Toll | 25 min | Documentary

Mama Micra (d. Rebecca Blöcher)

Germany | 24 min | Stopmotion Documentary

The mother of animation director Rebecca Blöcher didn’t want to live an ordinary life. She wanted “something more,” she explains in this stop-motion film. The people around her didn’t understand—in a letter written in 1968, a girlfriend criticises her for going out on her own and making men jealous, while advising her to dress in a more “feminine” way and to join a cooking course. Blöcher’s mother brushed aside the advice. Years later still, she divorced her husband and stepped into the big wide world.

Romina (d. Bee Grandinetti)

5 min 35 sec | Animated Documentary

Romina tells the true story of a 14-year-old girl facing an unplanned pregnancy in a state in the USA where abortion is banned. Despite the legal barriers, a community rallies around her, ensuring she can access the abortion she desired.

Twenty five animators from 17 countries donated their time and effort to beautifully bring Romina’s story to life.

 

The Story of Ne Kuko (d. Festus Toll)

NL | 25 min | Documentary

The story of how the power statue of Chief Ne Kuko was stolen should not be forgotten. This nkisi stands, trapped behind glass, in a European museum. The history behind this mysterious statue connects restitution activist Mwazulu Diyabanza to the small village of Kikuku in the mountains of Boma, Democratic Republic of Congo in his attempt to get the African objects held in European museums returned to their homeland. He believes that change should not have to wait any longer and hopes his actions will spark discussion on the restitution of colonial heritage.

The Story of Ne Kuko is part of a documentary series on the Ten Commandments, created by DOXY Films and EOdocs.

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