STUDENT FILM COMPETITION

PLAYGROUNDS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

120 min | short film selection

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Thursday, 20 March, 17:30 – 19:30 (screenings, Q&A, award show)
Free entrance with TAD Eindhoven wristband

Friday, 21 March, 15:30 – 16:30 part of the Film Industry Day program

Free entrance with TAD Eindhoven wristband

A dazzling bunch of graduation films have made their way thorough our open call. 7 amazing movies are in the running for Best Student Film and will be screened during the Playgrounds International Film Festival. We mean, of course, the short films that are not afraid of technical challenges and aim for the stars in terms of crafts and production, even though their creators are not yet established professionals but still students. This selection highlights amazing student films created by artists enrolled at Dutch universities, and, in the same time, works that challenge and innovate in terms of audio-visual storytelling. One of them will take home an encouraging prize of € 1000,-  and the title of Best Student Film.

The prize will be awarded by our Student Film Competition judges: Hannah Lau-Walker, Cheyenne Goudswaard and Simon Bavinck.

Selected films:

 

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