Queen of Dying
Zoë Kiani | Live-Action | 11’00’’
In one phone call between an abused woman and her manipulative girlfriend, the intense dynamics of physical and mental abuse in a relationship are revealed, as well as vulnerability and hope.
Real Love Baby
Tim Gersen | Experimental | 02’11’’
A couple is going through the miraculous process of giving birth, but what they bring into the world is not what they expected.
The Unstealable Bike
Rozh Surchi | Live-Action | 14’09’’
A stylistic mockumentary that unveils the intriguing life of Floris, a renowned figure on Amsterdam's streets for his bike-stealing prowess. In a city where 80,000 bikes vanish yearly, Floris emerges as a key player in this clandestine cycle. However, he's not alone – the market thrives on stolen bikes. Through deadpan humour and unexpected revelations, Floris provides a unique insight into the intricate gears that keep Amsterdam's bike theft machine in motion.
Oaia Neagră
Renee Schräder | Documentary | 18’00’’
A queer filmmaker travels to rural Romania and ends up falling for a single parent who has to keep his gender identity a secret from his religious community. Their relationship evolves behind closed doors, on faraway hills and in old churches. When the villagers start to suspect that something is going on between the two, a video surfaces of the two kissing, secretly taken from behind a garden fence. Gossip grows, and family members protest to the point where the couple’s safety becomes endangered, forcing the two to leave the village behind and seek refuge elsewhere.
Say My Name
Roxanne Stam | Live-Action | 13’00’’
When Milany (18) is suddenly confronted on her birthday with a message from her father she never knew, her friends keep Milany going with humour, wise counsel and unconditional love for each other.
Good Night Stranger
Bram van Dijk | Live-Action | 12’13’’
On their date night, Chayenne is unsure of Justin’s commitment to their relationship. Justin keeps convincing her everything is fine, but the events of the night tell her otherwise.
Tomorrow Will Be Better
Jottum Kok | Live-Action | 20’00’’
Tomorrow Will Be Better is a slice-of-life short film that explores the complex relationship between a lesbian daughter and her straight mother. After an intense break-up with her ex-girlfriend, Jona (24) recently moved back in with her mother, Mirjam (55). Tensions run high on Mirjam's birthday after it becomes clear she doesn't regard Jona's queer identity with the same significance as Jona does. Where Mirjam wants to avoid conflict, Jona wants to have the last word.
Next Please
Eva Bonnevits | Animation | 06’32’’
I have always feared the doctor, and now so will you. In this fever dream or rather fever nightmare, I will take you on a neverending doctor’s appointment straight out of HELL. By using warped perspectives and over-the-top scenarios, this film will leave an impression that makes your skin crawl.
Leaf
Thom Lunshof | Live-Action | 20’00’’
LEAF tells the story of Nora and her son Sil, who set out to find one of the last green habitats in a future-parched Earth. But when Sil undergoes a strange physical change during their journey through the relentless heat, Nora's fear grows of what they will find on the other side of the desert.
Searching For a Blue Bird
Tasha Arlova | Animation | 04’04’’
Shamans say that our souls are made of birds. If a child gets scared, their bird may fly away. In this poetic journey, we follow a girl who has lost her beloved companion, a blue bird and is eager to return it. Now, she embarks on an adventure to find the bird and, hopefully, her true self.
Know Your Stones
Katarina Jazbec | Documentary | 20’00’’
As we face climate change, young activists, steelworkers, and a geologist come together in a time-travelling space full of nightmares and aspirations.
About Tomorrow
Finn van den IJssel | Live-Action | 09’07’’
Bente, a rising hockey player, has promised her best friend Hannah to join her at a climate protest tomorrow. But when she gets the chance to make her professional hockey debut that same day, she is faced with a choice, triggering long-suppressed emotions to come to the surface.
The Birth of a Bitch
Nick Verkroost | Live-Action | 12’10’’
54-year-old Liesbeth is pushed to a new extreme when the men crossing her path don't seem to take her seriously.
Karaoke, The End
Muck van Empel | Live-Action | 08’43’’
Luna (17) celebrates passing her final exams with her family in a karaoke bar. Here, she accidentally runs into her online flirt, Michael (37), who virtually knows her mainly as a grown-up, desirable woman. In her father’s company, Luna is still daddy’s little girl. When these on- and offline worlds unexpectedly clash in this short coming-of-age drama, Luna is confronted with the expectations she created herself. She will have to decide which woman she wants to be.
While We Were Waiting
Maria Marbus, Ludo Marbus | Live-Action | 16’35’’
Mara (26) returns to her parental home a year after her mother's death to prevent her father, Simon (61), from throwing away all the things that she feels make her mother's death final. When her father finally suggests that she can sleep in the bed where her mother died, it all becomes too much for Mara.
We Were 23
Matthijs Sluijs | Live-Action | 09’58’’
Three friends meet on the island where they grew up to share their grief. On a hot summer night, they revisit the places that once held their boyhood dreams. While the sky turns pink and blue, the transience of friendship, love and life becomes painfully clear to them. All three will have to learn to deal with loss and their longing to hold on to each other.
On My Way
Shriejan Paudel | Live-Action | 07’40’’
The 23-year-old Jayden suffers from social phobia. He works from home and never goes outside. But then he suddenly has to go out for an appointment with his best friend Omar, whom he has previously let down. To avoid disappointing Omar again, Jayden tries to overcome his social anxiety by going out of the house after a long time.
And a Happy New Year
Sebastian Mulder | Documentary | 20’00’’
There are 365 days a year, and at the end of it, millions of euros’ worth of fireworks go up in smoke in the Netherlands, as in many other parts of the world. Many people enjoy this, but New Year’s Eve is a total nightmare for animals. To make their experience tangible, Sebastian Mulder’s documentary takes an original approach. In the run-up to the big night, dogs belonging to different owners are fitted with a GoPro, and we follow their movements.
Guilty
Kate Hummel & Rosa Stil | Live-Action | 15’55’’
When Zana is raped by her colleague, she is faced with an impossible question. Either she tells her girlfriend, Olivia, or she chooses to remain silent forever. Because if she keeps quiet, it might never happen.
MAGMA
Luca Meisters | Live-Action | 14’56’’
The world of the introverted but fiery Esra (9) has been turned upside down. Her father has become disabled after a recent motorcycle accident, and as a result, they had to move to a new place. Struggling with his limitations, Esra’s father isn’t the man she once knew. At her new school, she tells a lie that results in a lot of positive attention, but she cannot oversee the consequences. The pain, anger, and shame that boil inside of her will inevitably find their way to the surface.
Citroen
Bastiaan Rook | Live-Action | 19’00’’
A community on the coast of the Netherlands have everything they would wish for. Jonah tries to escape his role as a cult leader, no matter what.
LOT
Gijs Wilbers | Documentary | 16’00’’
The parents of filmmaker Gijs Wilbers move from a large family home to a smaller apartment for two. Mother Lot has difficulty throwing things away and prefers to take everything with her. Father Lex knows that that will never fit and secretes some of the belongings to a garage rented for the occasion. But when Lot finds out, the atmosphere changes. After encouragement from his sister, Gijs decides to address the big pink elephant in the room, which everyone avoids. First with his father and then with his mother. How will she react?
Il Fait Beau (The Weather Is Nice)
Leonardo Cariglino | Live-Action | 19’00’’
The young French expat Jean lives isolated and alienated from human contact, but a dear voice message from his mother urges him to go out. He then discovers Sara behind the shelves of the FEBO snack bar, and a love story begins.
I Am Here
Cheyenne Goudswaard | Animation | 05’16’’
The fear of oblivion can be overwhelming, but it can also be a driving force. Ik Ben Hier / I Am Here explores the need to imprint ourselves onto the world and build a legacy.
The Curse of Camp Nighttime
Matthijs van Esveld | Live-Action | 20’00’’
Eight-year-old Hannah is sent to a summer camp against her wishes. When she is told the campfire story ‘The Curse of Camp Nighttime’, she tries to escape. In the middle of the night, she is confronted by the reality of the curse. With the help of new-found friendships, ghost stories and an old TV, she has to get her bear back while discovering how strong she really is.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A FEMALE FRAME
Ilke Paddenburg | Live-Action | 6’58’’
While a large painting of a naked woman is being transported from the studio to the exhibition, she seems to fall victim to a harsh and masculine outside world.