Best Dutch Children’s Film

SpaceBoy Captain Nova

‘Live as though everything is a miracle.’ This Einstein quote appears as a motto towards the end of this comingof-age story. Young teen Jim is proud of his father who is soon to go to space as an astronaut. At least that’s what Jim thinks. To prove he has tenacity, Jim and other outsider Emma want to balloon into orbit for a science project at his new school. Emma isn’t that convinced and there are many more obstacles in store before the spectacular, moving finale.

This compelling narrative is exciting, yet also atmospheric as well as realistic and full of recognisable issues concerning themes like friendship, self-confidence and honesty. It is almost as hard to build a balloon as it is to talk about your feelings. Jim’s father also struggles with this and even Emma has a secret. Rebellious fighter pilot Nova is sent back to our era from the year 2050 to help prevent an environmental disaster. With her knowledge from the future different, wiser decisions can be made. Unfortunately, Nova becomes as young as she was in our day and no one listens to a 12-year-old girl. Together with a neglected teen and her parrot-like flying robot ADD, she does her utmost to get her important point across.

This exciting family film with humorous asides creatively addresses serious themes facing today’s children. Think of climate change, environmental pollution and backroom politics. Sometimes adults must be told how to make decisions that favour everyone in the long term by sensible children. At the same time, Captain Nova is a captivating, original story about friendship and restoring family ties. This year’s opening film at the festival.

OLIVIER PAIROUX

BELGIUM | 2021 | 90’ | 9+

FACTS

Producer Annabella Nezri Screenwriter Olivier Pairoux, Eusebio Larrea Editor Maarten Janssens Composer The Penelopes Leading actors Basile Grunberger, Albane Masson, Yannick Renier, Bérénice Baôo, Jean-Benoît Ugeux Production company Kwassa films, Belgium, kwassa@kwassa.be, www.kwassa.be Sales company LevelK, Denmark, tine.klint@levelk.dk, www.levelk.dk

MAURICE TROUWBORST

THE NETHERLANDS | 2021 | 90’ | 7+

FACTS

Producer Koji Nelissen, Derk-Jan Warrink Screenwriter Maurice Trouwborst, Lotte Tabbers Editor Pelle Asselbergs Composer Alexander Reumers Leading actors Kika van de Vijver, Marouane Meftah, Anniek Pheifer, Hannah van Lunteren, Joep Vermolen Production company Keplerfilm, The Netherlands, hello@keplerfilm.com, www.keplerfilm.com Sales company Beta Film GmbH, Germany, beta@betafilm.com, www.betafilm.com Distributor Gusto Entertainment

Catfun 2

Poeslief 2

If you don’t love cats, you probably still like cat videos. Everyone surfs the net now and again, looking for the funniest cat videos, don’t they? Therefore, the Netherlands’ most famous cat Abatutu is back for his second feature film adventure. The latter shows the experienced star enjoy his fame. His voice-over proudly talks of his extensive career in film, advertising and theatre. In the meantime, his two red cousins Maiziwa and Siagi are diligently working away. The ambitious brothers also want to be famous, and they are not the only ones, which is why Abatutu has recently started his own casting agency to help every Dutch cat who wants to be famous achieve their goal.

Some 1,000 cats can now watch themselves on the silver screen. Their funniest, most endearing, craziest and naughtiest video entries have been edited together with Abatutu and his reckless cousins’ adventures into this true cat film.

Charlie Cooper - The Egg Mystery

Berend Botje

Berend was named after her father, grandad and all her ancestors. They all had the same name and were all captains, except her father that is. Berend is certain she will be a captain. One day, Berend’s teacher brings a mysterious egg to school. The children think the egg contains a baby parrot, but when grandpa Botje tells them that parrots can only hatch from their eggs on Parrot Island, they come up with an exciting plan. The kids kidnap the egg and secretly build a ship in the old age pensioners home’s storage room together with grandpa. In the meantime, lots of people are looking for them and their journey proves to be full of surprises.

Fun adventure film based on the Dutch children’s song Berend Botje Went Out Sailing, with the modern twist that the youngest member of the family with the rugged man’s name is a girl.

IGNAS VAN SCHAICK

THE NETHERLANDS | 2021 | 60’ | 4+

FACTS

Dutch title Poeslief 2 Producer Jeffrey de Graaff Screenwriter Ignas van Schaick Editor Sam Reitsma Composer Jelle Dittmar Leading actors Abatutu, Siagi, Maiziwa, Lonneke van Krimpen, Anique Dream on, Nicolette Kluijver Production company M&N Media Group, The Netherlands, jeffrey.degraaff@mn-mediagroup.com, www.mn-mediagroup.com Distributor M&N Media Group

MANS VAN DEN BERG

THE NETHERLANDS | 2021 | 80’ | 5+

FACTS

Dutch title Berend Botje Producer Derk van den Berg Screenwriter Derk van den Berg Editor Ruben Verweij Composer Odysseas Papathanasiou Terzis Leading actors Doris Zuijderland, Thomas Acda, Klaas van Kruistum, Justin dos Santos, Pjotr Golsteyn Production company NOBS Entertainment BV, The Netherlands, productie@nobs-entertainment.nl, www.nobs.nl Sales company Incredible Film, The Netherlands, danielle@incrediblefilm.nl, www.incrediblefilm.com Distributor Just Entertainment

The Claus Family

De familie Claus

Because his father died at Christmas, Jules Claus is dreading the festive season this year. While he tries to escape the wintery festivities at his Flemish grandfather’s toy shop, Jules discovers that his grandad is actually the real Father Christmas. Now the elderly man is suddenly ill, it is up to grandson Jules to save Christmas. Though he reticently starts the job, Jules’ perspective on the world and his own sad situation quickly changes.

In this magical family film, a boy has to learn to deal with a major loss. He undergoes the various phases of grieving, helped by the clever girl next door, his loving mother and his wise grandad. Thanks to his task, the boy views life from various perspectives which makes him realise that he is not the only one who has lost something or someone.

De Kameleon aan de ketting

Twin brothers Sietse and Hielke are unpleasantly surprised when their boat is chained up for being a diesel-powered environmental polluter. How can they head out on their adventures without their fast boat? In the meantime, dead animals are being found at a care farm nearby. A gentle, intellectually disabled boy is soon seen as the culprit. However, the twins don’t believe that one bit. Together with a tough Goth girl they come up with their own plan.

Steven de Jong, maker of De schippers van de Kameleon (2003), Kameleon 2 (2005) and Kameleon de serie (2018) returns with a new adventure for perhaps the Netherlands’ most famous twins. Starting in 1949, in the eponymous series of books by Hotze de Roos, the Frisian twins Sietse and Hielke Klinkhamer had dozens of adventures with their boat. The blond teenagers and their cheeky pranks always battle injustices in the village.

MATTHIAS TEMMERMANS

THE NETHERLANDS | 2020 | 97’ | 6+

FACTS

Dutch title De familie Claus Producer Anthony Van Biervliet, Ruben Vandenborre Screenwriter Matthias Temmermans, Ruben Vandenborre, Elke de Gezelle Editor Dries Meinema Composer Anne-Kathrin Dern Leading actors Jan Decleir, Mo Bakker, Bracha van Doesburgh, Stefaan Degand, Eva van der Gucht Production company Dingie, Belgium, info@dingie.be Distributor Netflix NL

STEVEN DE JONG

THE NETHERLANDS | 2021 | 95’ | 9+

FACTS

Producer Steven de Jong, Bennie de Jong Screenwriter Steven de Jong, Dick van den Heuvel Editor Tim Straver Leading actors Sens Gerritsen, Imme Gerritsen, Lieke van den Akker, Nando Liebregts, Casper Jansen Production company Steven de Jong Producties, The Netherlands, steven@stevendejongfilms.nl Sales company Incredible Film, The Netherlands, danielle@incrediblefilm.nl, www.incrediblefilm.com Distributor Just Entertainment

Doopie

Dropje

Doopie is not a boy, not a girl, not a cuddly toy - Doopie is just itself. Doopie lives at the Everything Store, where you can buy anything you need or didn’t know you needed. He has the most amazing adventures with the children that visit the shop. Although adults scarcely notice them, even the smallest things can be of great importance to young children. Thanks to Doopie’s curiosity, he always makes it through the bizarre situations that occur in his own unique, funny and perhaps somewhat unconventional manner.

Doopie, which is very inclusive and features the unique cross-over of stop-motion and live action, was previously broadcast on TV as a series of roughly six-minute episodes but can now also be seen on the big screen.

The Even Bigger Slime Movie

De nog grotere slijmfilm

Besties Indy and Olivia are looking forward to the Great Slime Ball, where Indy will receive a slime prize, the friends will perform together and the young slime creator will present a spectacular new octopus slime. Everything is going smoothly until a disappointed fan of Indy’s aims his jealous rage at her. He wants to steal Indy’s special recipe and ruin her reputation among fans.

In this second adventure involving slime inventor Indy (played by YouTube vlogger Bibi), the slime fanatic has become a popular slime vlogger herself. Being famous is super cool, but sometimes also tricky. It’s easy to forget the people who are important in your life. This fun, exciting family film neatly ties in with the current craze for slime toys and young vloggers. Simultaneously, it playfully deals with themes like maintaining friendships, bullying, how everyone grieves differently and learning to be open towards new people in your group of friends.

MEIKEMINNE CLINCKSPOOR

THE NETHERLANDS, BELGIUM | 2021 | 51’ | 3+

FACTS

Dutch title Dropje Producer Sabine Veenendaal, Bruno Felix, Jeroen Beker, Femke Wolting Screenwriter Meikeminne Clinckspoor, Maart van Voornveld Editor Patrick Schonewille Composer Helge Slikker Leading actors Daniel Boissevain, Warre Borgmans, Imanuelle Grives Production company Submarine, The Netherlands, info@submarine.nl, www.submarine.nl Distributor Periscoop Film

MARTIJN SMITS

THE NETHERLANDS | 2021 | 81’ | 5+

FACTS

Dutch title De nog grotere slijmfilm Producer Jeroen Koopman, Maurits Spijkerman Screenwriter Martijn Smits, Maarten van den Broek, Eveline Hagenbeek Editor Tim Wijbenga Leading actors Bibi, Matheu Hinzen, Rómeycia Valentijn, Vincent Visser Production company NewBeTV, The Netherlands, info@newbetv.com, www.newbe.nl Distributor Splendid Film BV

The Expedition of the Family Fox

De expeditie van de familie Vos

Now grandad has died, the Fox family has to make do without the amazing treasure hunts he used to lay out during their family weekend at the De Efteling theme park. 11-year-old Teun finds it particularly difficult. Then he suddenly finds a mysterious key at their chalet. Did grandad leave something behind for them? Teun investigates, accompanied by Ada, grandad’s exceptional sister. While all the other family members primarily focus on themselves, each other or work, the curious duo go in search of the precious book of fairy tales grandad must have hidden somewhere at the fairy tale theme park. However, there is another, unknown adversary looking for it too...

In this exciting, comical treasure hunt a family of rebellious types come together despite everything. Sometimes – generally the adults – forget what life is really about and need a fantasy-rich opportunity to briefly be children again.

Misfit 3: The Finale

Misfit 3: de finale

In this third film about the friends Julia, Nick, Sterre and the rest of their squad, the Misfits as they call themselves do their utmost to make music and make their biggest dream come true: to storm the music industry together. However, betrayal, jealousy and secrets get in the way after they are confronted by their eternal rival: the sly Babette. Taking part in a popular international music contest offers them the ultimate chance for rehabilitation

as a supergroup.

Appealing, positive adventure full of contemporary songs. The script continues where all the themes in the previous films left off, including issues like creating and maintaining close friendships as well as focusing on what truly makes you happy. These secondary school students who, by now, feel like old acquaintances, also learn that everyone benefits from a little forgiveness. Who wouldn’t want to be part of this idiosyncratic, warm bunch of teens who love music?

BOB WILBERS

THE NETHERLANDS | 2020 | 72’ | 6+

FACTS

Dutch title De expeditie van de familie Vos Producer Lucio Messercola Screenwriter Job Römer, Nienke Römer Editor Michelle Hofman Composer Guido Heeneman Leading actors Levi Otto, Anna Drijver, Raymonde de Kuyper, Fockeline Ouwerkerk, Randy Fokke, Frederik Brom Production company Messercola, The Netherlands, info@messercola.nl Sales company Incredible Film, The Netherlands, danielle@incrediblefilm.nl, www.incrediblefilm.com Distributor Just Entertainment

ERWIN VAN DEN ESHOF

THE NETHERLANDS | 2020 | 82’ | 6+

FACTS

Dutch title Misfit 3: de finale Producer Jeroen Koopman, Lisa May Visser, Andreas R. Klein, Dirk Schweitzer, Thomas Wolff, Erik Engelen Screenwriter Karen van den Ende, Brian de Vore, Erwin van den Eshof Editor Jeffrey de Vore Composer Future Presidents Leading actors Djamila, Niek Roozen, Bente Fokkens, Jolijn Henneman, Fenna Ramos Production company NewBeTV, The Netherlands, info@newbetv.com, www.newbe.nl Distributor Splendid Film BV

My Dad is a Sausage

Mijn vader is een saucisse

When Zoë’s father suddenly quits his job at the bank and wants to become an actor, his family is shocked. Is he suffering from burnout? Is it a mid-life crisis? Only the youngest daughter Zoë, who is a bit of an outsider with artistic talents and scientific interests, helps him. Even if it’s only playing a vegetarian sausage in an ad. It benefits Zoë a lot too.

Comedy about chasing your dreams, told from the perspective of 12-year-old Zoë. The dysfunctional family is in for a rude awakening in this fast-paced story with its dry humour, absurdist situations and yet also space for serious emotions. Lively animation accentuates Zoë’s perspective; she draws parallels between the big bang and the family crisis. Anouk Fortunier’s directorial debut after a screenplay the renowned Jean-Claude Van Rijckeghem and based on the book by Agnès de Lestrade.

Birta

One day, Birta hears her mother talking on the phone. The conversation is about how worried her mother is about their financial situation and that she can’t really afford Christmas this year. The girl, who loves team handball and playing her guitar and also has a huge sense of responsibility, subsequently comes up with all sorts of adventurous money-making schemes, but things aren’t easy if you are only 11.

Financial difficulties can place an enormous burden on families even if, as is the case for Birta, they do not live in poverty. It elicits feelings of shame particularly in today’s world, which seems like a beauty and happiness contest. The challenges of single parenting are another theme which is dealt with without becoming heavy or depressing in this heart-warming film for the festive season.

ANOUK FORTUNIER

BELGIUM, THE NETHERLANDS, GERMANY | 2021 | 84’ | 8+

FACTS

Dutch title Mijn vader is een saucisse Producer Dries Phlypo, Jean-Claude van Rijckeghem Screenwriter Jean-Claude van Rijckeghem Editor Get van Berckelaer, Joppe Van Den Brande Composer Harry de Wit Leading actors Johan Heldenbergh, Savannah Vandendriessche, Hilde De Baerdemaeker Production company A Private View, Belgium, info@aprivateview.be, www.aprivateview.be, The Film Kitchen, The Netherlands, info@thefilmkitchen.nl, www.thefilmkitchen.nl Sales company Studio Hamburg Enterprises GmbH, Germany, info@studiohamburg-enterprises.de, www.studio-hamburg-enterprises.de Distributor Paradiso Filmed Entertainment

BRAGI THOR HINRIKSSON

ICELAND | 2021 | 85’ | 8+

FACTS

Dutch title Birta Producer Bragi Thor Hinriksson, Helga Arnardóttir Screenwriter Helga Arnardóttir Editor Stefanía Thors Composer Kristján Sturla Bjarnason Leading actors Kristín Erla Pétursdóttir, Margrét Júlía Reynisdóttir, Salka Sól Eyfeld, Margrét Ákadóttir Production company H.M.S. Productions ehf., Iceland, contact@hms.productions, https://hms.productions/ Sales company Studio Hamburg Enterprises GmbH, Germany, info@studio-hamburg-enterprises.de, www.studio-hamburg-enterprises.de