“What’s up Next?” is a series of articles and interviews meant to better showcase the trajectories of our Next Talents.
We are meeting the 2024-2025 generation in two key moments: at the start of their trajectory – focussing on finding out more about the artists and what they expect from the program, and at the end of their course, discussing the things they picked up on the way.
With this first interview we are introducing you to illustrator and animation filmmaker Cheyenne Goudswaard.
Cheyenne is a Dutch illustrator and animation filmmaker. Her focus is drawn to the dirt in the corner and the neighbour that no one wants – the unnoticed and misunderstood. She studied illustration at St. Joost in Breda and, after graduating in 2020, began freelancing, focusing mainly on editorial illustration.
“I realised I wanted to expand my skills, and animation felt like an exciting new way to tell stories” Cheyenne says. “I was a bit unsure about animation at first because I thought it required a lot of technical skills and had strict rules, which isn’t really my style. But I decided to pursue a master’s study in Animation at St. Joost in Den Bosch (graduating in 2023) anyway, and I discovered you can bring your own approach to animation, and that rules are there to be broken. Now, I create independent animations and illustrations and work on commercial projects as a freelancer. I’ve had the pleasure of working with clients such as The New York Times, De Correspondent, Studio FIK, Kunstloc Brabant, and Hard//Hoofd.”
We asked Cheyenne to tell us more about a favourite project of her. “During my animation master’s program, I created my very first short film, titled ‘Ik Ben Hier’ (I Am Here). This film explores the fear of oblivion and the deeply human need to leave a mark on the world. Through various vignettes, the narrative delves into the universal desire for recognition. The story follows several characters living in the same world, often passing each other by, each trying to stand out and be noticed. In the end, the film shows that our identity is temporary, fading away like a memory. It was inspired by my own experiences of feeling forgotten by my family or feeling small in this vast world. The film poses the questions: ‘How do we leave a mark on this world?’ ‘How will we be remembered?’ ‘What must we do to ensure we are not forgotten?’ It is very special to me because it captures a deep feeling—something hard to put into words, but it’s fully there in this work for me. I’ve been lucky to see viewers connect with this feeling after watching the film, and that shared understanding means a lot to me. This project has also been important in helping me find my path as a filmmaker, giving me direction for future projects.”
When it came to sharing her take on creating, Cheyenne explained “My focus is drawn to the overlooked and misunderstood aspects of life—the dirt in the corners and the neighbours no one wants. I want to look beyond the front door and discover what is hidden in the backyard. In my work, I explore the human experience through an honest lens, examining the essence of being human and how we shape our lives. I approach this with softness and empathy while maintaining an honest perspective. My gentle, poetic style often carries a hint of discomfort and imperfection. I find it fascinating to play with this duality in my images. This duality aligns perfectly with what I want to express: while life is filled with beauty, it can also be uncomfortable and challenging. By showcasing this in my work and encouraging us to open our doors to one another, I believe we can find deeper connections and create meaningful bonds. That connection is the essence of my work.”
“In my upcoming projects—likely short films or illustrations—I want to explore themes like ego, generational trauma, and other complex emotions that often go overlooked. Right now, I’m focused on a short film about someone who can’t stop picking at their own skin, related to a skin-picking disorder and OCD—something I experience myself. I want to capture that feeling in a short animated film. My dream is to create an exhibition around this project, combining film, illustrations, art, and possibly talks, to provide a space where people with similar experiences can connect and feel safe.”
Curious about artists inspiring her, we asked Cheyenne to mention some. “I love the work of Japanese animator Yoriko Mizushiri. She explores themes of intimacy, touch, and the human body. Her films capture fleeting moments of life, and the subtle gestures and quiet scenes create almost a meditative experience.Her work is a bit eerie, but it’s also soft and sensual, which adds an element of surprise that I really enjoy. I could watch her work endlessly, whether it’s her short films or the little animations she shares on Instagram.”
Cheyenne first found out about the Next program from a former Nexter. “I heard about it from my friend Indah Hijmans. They shared how, after graduating, they received both mentorship and financial support to help reach their goals. It can be challenging to find your way right after finishing your studies, with so much coming at you. This sounded like exactly what I needed too. I wanted to work on my own project, establish myself as an entrepreneur, and start earning some money, but I only had a rough idea of where to begin. Next seemed like the right place to help me move forward. It’s a comforting safety net where you feel truly supported.
I’ve been trying to find a better balance between my personal life and work, as well as between freelance projects and my own independent projects. It’s been a challenge. During the Next Talent program, I hope to learn more about managing this and receive guidance from a coach. This is very important to me because my only dream is to create in a healthy way for the rest of my life—that’s what makes me happy. I’m very glad to have this opportunity from Next to take the first steps toward that. I also want to continue developing my short film, finish its pre-production, understand the director’s role better, and learn how to apply for grants.”
We also asked Cheyenne who would be her dream mentor. “Currently, I would love a mentoring session with filmmaker Robert-Jonathan Koeyers. I admire his film It’s Nice in Here. I love the way he edits and combines visuals with voice-over. His poetic and fragmentary style resonates with me, as he highlights different perspectives on complex human aspects. It really speaks to me. I would be thrilled if he could guide me through the process of creating my film”.
As many spectacular things happen during the Next program, fingers crossed Cheyenne will get her wish. As far as we are concerned, she is already an absolute dream participant in the program and we are very curious to see how she will further develop!