As a mother of young teenagers, this legendary youth film festival is very close to my heart. In a world where streaming platforms mainly lure us to small screens, it’s wonderful to know that there are still places where stories are carefully selected and cinema is truly alive. And that is exactly what Youth Film Festival Antwerp does: during spring break, this festival throws its doors wide open to imagination, creativity and encounters. Not just watching, but experiencing — that is the key word. Watching films is one thing, but experiencing them together — that’s a kind of magic you simply can’t stream.
Youth Film Festival Antwerp is much more than just showing and watching films. It is a lively playground for young creators and curious viewers. This year, you can enjoy not only a fantastic opening film (Miss Moxy by Vincent Bal), but also a film concert, an inflatable cinema that travels to different neighbourhoods, and even an alternative drive-in at the Blikfabriek, where you first build your own car together and then watch a film from your creative vehicle. How cool is that?
And then there are the workshops and the medialab: from building miniature cities with directors to playing games with a LED globe, from challenging a robot hand to an AR walk through the city. Here, you don’t just discover stories, you create them yourself. Young people help decide on the program, give introductions, guide the audience — in short: they, and only they, are the driving force behind this festival. Children and young people are truly in charge.
Antwerp has a rich cinema history, and thanks in part to JEF, that tradition remains alive and well. The festival brings us together around the big screen, at a time when watching together has become less obvious. It proves that film is something to share, to experience, to broaden your horizons and to open up new worlds — both for young and old.
So let’s dive into those worlds together. Whether it’s premieres, a toddler cinema for the little ones, a binge session of a Ketnet series, or a VR experience — there’s always something that will surprise you. Stories that will be discussed further at the kitchen table and that inspire you to continue exploring or who knows, maybe even “to do something in cinema later on”. As a city, we are proud to be able to plant those seeds. Enjoy, discover, play, watch… and admire! Above all, let yourself be carried away.
I wish everyone a festival to remember. See you at the cinema!
Lien Van de Kelder, Alderwoman for Culture, Work, Equal Opportunity and International Solidarity.
Awards & juries
Awards
During Youth Film Festival Antwerp, there are various competitions, awards and juries.
Best film – International ECFA jury
→ Cash prize of €2.500 (offered by TENTOO) for the director to support a new project.
→ Will be eligible for the ECFA award for best feature film of the year. This prize will be awarded at the Berlin International Film Festival.
→ Nomination for the Felix Vanginderhuysen distribution award
→ Festival award
Best film – Children’s jury
→ Nomination for the Felix Vanginderhuysen distribution award
→ Festival award
Best film – Ketnet jury
→ Festival award
Best short film – International ECFA jury
→ Cash prize of €1.250 (offered by JEF) for the director to support a new project.
→ Festival award
Best short film – Children’s jury
→ Festival award
Best short film – Film in hospital jury
→ Festival award
Best Ket & Doc – International ECFA jury
→ Festival award
Medialab award – Children’s jury
→ Cash prize of €1.250 (offered by Jimmy’s) for the artist to support a new project.
→ Festival award
International ECFA jury
The international ECFA jury hands out three awards: best film, best short film and best Ket & Doc.
Pelle Møller (DK)
Pelle Møller is a Danish writer and director known for his work on film, tv-series, theatre, radio and books. He is currently working as a commissioning editor for Kids & Youth Shortfilms/Documentaries & TV-Series at the Danish Film Institute (DFI). Before this he was a commissioning editor at DR Ramasjang — one of Denmark's most popular kids brands. Pelle Møller has also been Oscarnominated for his short film Helmer & Son and won the Kids Jury-award at Schlingel International Filmfestival for the feature film The Seekers – Thrill Night
Markéta Pášmová (CZ)
Markéta Pášmová, artistic director, Zlín Film Festival – International Film Festival for Children and Youth.
Markéta Pášmová started working at the Zlín Film Festival in 1999 and became its artistic director in 2013. She focuses on European cinema for young audiences and is active in educational programs for children and youth. She is a member of the board of directors of the FILMTALENT ZLÍN foundation, which supports young talented filmmakers from the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Markéta Pášmová is also the head of Zlín Industry Days — a program for film professionals.
Ante Pask (BE)
Ante Pask is a Belgian filmmaker and RITCS graduate drawn to the intersection of fiction and documentary. Her bachelor film Daydreamers earned international recognition, winning the Student Visionary Award at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2022. Since then, she has explored themes of identity and coming-of-age in her short Peckerhead, which has been celebrated at both local and international festivals. Beyond film, she also directs music videos, notably for the Flemish bands Laïs, Meltheads and BLUAI. Across all her work, she strives to create visually driven stories that connect through emotion and authenticity.
Philippe Meers (BE)
Philippe Meers works in the Visual and Digital Cultures Research Center (ViDi) at the University of Antwerp, where he teaches Film History, Film Theory and World Cinema. In the early 2000s he wrote a PhD on the role of cinema and film in young people’s everyday life in Flanders. Being a huge fan of Latin American cinema, his all-time favourite director is Luís Buñuel — especially in his Mexican period. Philippe writes on cinema cultures and audiences, e.g. Cinema in the Arab World: New Histories, New Approaches and New Cinema History in Latin America. Mexico, Cuba and Ecuador are among his recent research destinations. Philippe also explores alternative outlets for cinema culture research such as Cinema Belgica and Cine MAP: Cartografía histórica de los cines en Santiago de Cuba 1906-1986.
Children’s jury
The children's jury in Antwerp hands out three awards: best film, best short film and the medialab award.
Victor Herbots
I’m Victor Herbots and I’m eleven years old. I’m very happy to be on the jury, because I’ve dreamed of it my whole life. I come to the festival almost every year, because there are always lots of fun activities. I also really enjoy the films they show there. My favorite movie is Ocean’s Eleven, because at the end it’s like a puzzle that suddenly falls into place.
Ayris Lawrence
For years, I've been a big fan of Youth Film Festival Antwerp. I’ve attended several workshops, and they were always a lot of fun. The opening film is also a great event every year, and the films shown during the festival are very interesting. My favorite movie changes often, but at the moment it is We Have a Ghost. It’s full of suspense and adventure, making it impossible to stop watching. I’m really looking forward to spring break! It’s going to be a fun week where I’ll learn a lot about films and make new friends.
Ceder De Clerck
I’m super excited to be on the jury of Youth Film Festival Antwerp. I love going to the festival every year, because there’s always a great atmosphere and fun things to do. At home, I also enjoy watching movies with my family during cozy movie nights. My favorite movie is Claus, because I think it’s really beautiful and fun. I’m really looking forward to spring break!
Puck Van Tilborg
I’m Puck, I’m 10 years old, and I love watching movies, reading, and gaming. My favorite movie is Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the funniest movie ever. I’ve been going to Youth Film Festival Antwerp with my family for a few years and I always enjoy it, because of all the fun things you can do there. I especially like the XL-Medialab, where you can try out new games. We actually go to the cinema all year round, but I can’t wait to spend a whole week watching movies with the jury during spring break this year!
Amy Teuw
I’m Amy and I’m 11 years old. When I heard that I was chosen for the children’s jury, I jumped for joy! I’m really excited to see what we’ll do with the jury and how everything will go. Every time I visit the film festival, I arrive full of excitement and leave with a big smile. My favorite movie is Nanny McPhee, because it’s so funny. I’m already counting down to Youth Film Festival Antwerp and spring break!
Viktor Tuffin
I’m Viktor, and my hobby is football, and my favorite color is red. I’m very happy to be in the children’s jury because I’m looking forward to talking about movies with other children. My favorite movie is Gremlins, because I think it’s really funny.
Ida Luyten
I’m super happy to be on the jury!
I really love movies and television. Ever since I was little, I’ve been going to the festival, and that’s where I discovered Marona. It’s truly my favorite movie! The music is beautiful, and the animation is so lovely and creative. I also enjoy drawing and acting, for example in school plays. It’s so much fun to step into different roles and pretend to be someone else. I think colors are important, because they show emotions and can strengthen a story. When I go to the movies, I feel free. It’s such a wonderful feeling! Watching films with friends or family is always fun, and I’m looking forward to enjoying a great movie night together!
Pim Decroos
I’m Pim, and I’m very happy to be part of the children’s jury because: I think the supervisors are super fun, I like working together with other children, and I’m really excited to help give out the awards. My favorite movie is We Can Be Heroes. I love watching films in the cinema! I enjoy art and my family says I’m good at noticing details. I’m sure I’m going to have a great time during spring break!
Youth Film Festival
Antwerp and KETNET join forces to create the biggest children’s jury in Flanders. During spring break, kids can vote for their favourite film on KETNET via VRT MAX. The film with the most votes wins the award for Best film from the Ketnet jury.
Film in hospital jury
Through the online Film in hospital platform, children with reduced mobility can watch all short films in competition, and then vote for their favourite. The winning short film will receive a Youth Film Festival Antwerp award, which the children will present during the closing ceremony with a video.
Ambassadors
Our amazing festival ambassadors this year are Ketnet presenter and actress Nona 't Jolle, and actor, radio DJ and presenter Manu Van Acker.
Nona 't Jolle
Born in 2004 in Antwerp, Nona ‘t Jolle began her career when her dream came true: becoming a presenter at KETNET. Besides presenting, Nona is working hard on her acting career (Skate and wTFOCK). As a regular sidekick on Club Kawtar and in shows like Switch BV, Met De Doos In Huis and De Dag Van Vandaag, she’s carving out her own unique spot in the Flemish media landscape.
“Asachild,Iwasabigfanof the Youth Film Festival. I looked forwardtoiteveryyear.Who wouldhavethoughtthatoneday I would become its ambassador? Itfeelsveryspecialtohelpgeta newgenerationofchildrenexcited about this wonderful week.”
Manu Van Acker
Born in 1999 in Ostend, Manu Van Acker is a radio DJ, actor, presenter and full-time enthusiast. Since September 2021, he has been working as a radio presenter at MNM (VRT). In addition to radio, Manu also works as a (voice) actor. You can hear him in the animated films 100% Wolf and Zootropolis 2. Or see him on television in Nonkels, as a jury member on De Slimste Mens ter Wereld and soon as a sidekick on De Ideale Wereld.
“Animation or live action: children's films touch both children and adults withtheirstories.Andcertainly thankstothecinemaatmosphere, withthoseseatsandthatbig screen...Asafilmfan,Iamreally lookingforwardtothefestival.”
During the festival, several guests will introduce the films or participate in Q&A's. Check out www.jeugdfilmfestivalantwerpen.be for up-to-date information.
Mister Paper sees the big picture
Ben Tesseur: director (BE)
Koen de Graeve: voice actor (BE)
Stephen Vandingenen: producer (BE)
Steven De Beul: director (BE)
Little Charlie
Janneke van de Kerkhof: producer (NL)
Anneke de Graaf: director (NL)
Pol the pirate mouse and the lost ship
Bouwine Pool: director (NL)
Janneke van de Kerkhof: producer (NL)
The Tinies
Kiana Porte: voice actor (BE)
Nathan Naenen: voice actor (BE)
Mike Wauters: director (BE)
Miss Moxy
Barbara Sarafian: voice actor (BE)
Frank Focketyn: voice actor (BE)
Jolande Junte: producer (NL)
Petra Goedings: producer (NL)
Tom Vermeir: voice actor (BE)
Pieter Embrechts: voice actor (BE)
Tine Embrechts: voice actor (BE)
Vincent Bal: director (BE)
Wip Vernooij: director (NL)
Hildegard Van Nylen: voice actor (BE)
Nele Vandenbroeck: voice actor (BE)
Ini Massez: voice actor (BE)
Peter Van Gucht: voice actor (BE)
Steve Willaert: music (BE)
Chantal Kashala: voice actor (BE)
Jan Dircksen: voice actor (BE)
Nico Blontrock: alderman of Bruges (BE)
Lien Van de Kelder: alderwoman of Antwerp (BE)
Tales of the magic garden
Warre Borgmans: voice actor (BE)
Nayah Bertels: voice actor (BE)
Dennis Reinehr: voice actor (BE)
Lien Van de Kelder: voice actor (BE)
Katelijne Verbeke: voice actor (BE)
Bert Bertels: voice actor (BE)
Little explorers: When I get
rich
Lucas Camps: director (NL)
Little explorers: Peninsula
Angèle Vergoni: director (FR)
Sarah Vanhoeck: director (BE)
Little explorers: Little Story
Karel Van Gucht: pre- & postproduction (BE)
King of the wanderers
Janne Schmidt: director (NL)
Niyara da Rocha Pereira: voice actor (NL)
Ward Kerremans: actor (BE)
Olivia and the invisible earthquake
Noa Lambertus: voice actor (NL)
Somewhere along the way: Autokar
Sylwia Szkiladz: director (PL)
Somewhere along the way: Murmuration
Janneke Swinkels: director (NL)
Tim Frijsinger: director (NL)
Ket & Doc 2026: Forged in Fire
Jules Mathôt: director (NL)
Frederik Nicolai: producer (BE)
Amélie Pauwels - Callebaut: protagonist (BE)
Mila Sterck: protagonist (BE)
Ket & Doc 2026: Next move
Florence Boone: director (BE)
Maarten Bernaerts: producer (BE)
Lars Janssens: protagonist (BE)
Olivia Janssens: protagonist (BE)
Evelien Janssens: protagonist (BE)
Kimberley Goffart: protagonist (BE)
Ket & Doc 2026: Dad = (not) bad
Petronella Van der Hallen: director (BE)
Sébastien Segers: producer (BE)
Zaïde Bil: producer (NL)
Ket & Doc 2026: In between waves
Britt Vanhaelen: director (BE)
Ellen Vanhove: producer (BE)
Sana Safi: protagonist
Afshana Safi: protagonist
Abby Sinnaeve: protagonist (BE)
Liselotte Oyen: protagonist (BE)
The sad story of the little mouse who wanted to become somebody
Florence D'Haeyer: producer (BE)
Jef Dehouse: art director (BE)
Fantastique
Marjolijn Prins: director (NL)
Eline Van Hooydonck: moderation discussion (Girls On Film)
Sofie Van Der Vreken: moderation discussion (Girls On Film)
Chiara Candaele: moderation discussion (Girls On Film)
Specials
Opening film and reception
Awards ceremony
During the festive awards ceremony, you will discover who the big winners of Youth Film Festival Antwerp 2026 are! The international ECFA jury, the children’s jury and someone from the audience (as part of the Ketnet jury) will present their awards. The Film in hospital jury will award a best short film as well. After the screening of the winning short films it’s time for a treat in the festival café and in the XL-Medialab.
The opening film of Youth Film Festival Antwerp is Miss Moxy (→ p. 21). Meet the Flemish voice cast and the festival ambassadors on the red carpet or during the festive reception.
Festival café
At the Zuiderpershuis in Antwerp, you'll find our kid-friendly festival café where you can eat and drink at an affordable price, and your kids will play to their heart's content in a spacious play area.
Festival passport
Toddler cinema
At Zuiderpershuis in Antwerp, you can find a toddler cinema with cosy cushions, adapted sound and lighting, relaxed atmosphere and a digital playground tailored to the needs of the little ones. The perfect first cinema experience for toddlers (1,5+).
Travel along the various locations across Antwerp and collect all the stamps in your passport. The Zuidpark (between Zuiderpershuis and Lumière Antwerp) will turn in addition into a star trail filled with fun hands-on challenges.
Ket & Doc
Every year, VAF, KETNET and JEF support the production of four documentaries for children. You will see them for the first time at Youth Film Festival Antwerp!
→ More info on p. 28
Extra activity
MisterPaperseesthe bigpicture
Bring your own cut-out Mister Paper to life with stop-motion animation.
Extra activity Little Charlie
With a fun reading session at the movie!
Extra activity Miss Moxy
Would you like to join us in crafting kittens? Or would you prefer to become one yourself? Meow!
Extra activity Film concert The great dreamscape
With beautiful piano music, live in the movie theater.
Extra activity Space cadet
Fold and decorate your own robot that will preserve your memories.
Extra activity Talesofthemagicgarden
Discover the magic of memories in your own story.
Extra activity Alfie, the little werewolf
Come dressed up in a spooky costume to the screening and dance along at the (mini) dance party afterwards! Boo!
Extra activity Dandelion’sodyssey
After the film: philosophy for children!
Extra activity Smalldogsbarkloud
Talk about sadness, comfort, and dogs after the film.
Extra activity LARP
Come dressed as a fantasy character.
Extra activity Fantastique
How acrobatic are you?
Films
1,5+
CHECK
www.jeugdfilmfestivalantwerpen.be
→ for dates, hours and locations
→ for updates on guests, specials and program changes
→ for trailers and a synopsis
→ for all the prizes the nominated films and games can win
Free as a bird Vrij als een vogel
1,5+
COMPILATION
Would you like to spread your wings too? Fly, flutter and soar? This collection of six vibrant short films for curious toddlers is sure to spark their imagination.
Chickens, penguins, and even tiny paper birds — everyone wants to fly and feel free in these imaginative stories.
→ Different directors / Different countries / 27’ / 2020-2025
→ No dialogue
First flight Flugversuche
Vlieg je voor het eerst
Three small birds, a symphony of frogs and an unforgettable first flight.
→ Adrian Jaffé / Germany / 3’ / 2024
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Mara Marxsen (Kurzfilm Verleih Hamburg e.V.)
A dream takes flight Un sogno in volo Droomvlucht
A little penguin has a big dream: to become a mail bird.
→ Chiara Helm / Italy / 5’ / 2024
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Federica Crippa (Studio Bozzetto)
Flutter fantasy Baião d'intérieurs Fladderfantasie
The curious bird Char flies to a fantasy world full of dancing, exciting adventures and wonderful new friends.
→ Héloïse Dorsan-Rachet / France / 4’ / 2025
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Amina Mezaache (Veston Léger)
The little bird and the bees Der kleine Vogel und die Bienen De kleine vogel en de bijen
A mysterious buzzing sound draws a little bird to a magical world full of flowers. But watch out for the fox!
→ Lena von Döhren / Germany / 4’ / 2020
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Lena von Döhren
Tsuru
The flapping wings of a Japanese origami bird awaken a sleeping piece of paper. A challenging journey begins...
→ Pedro Anias / Brazil / 6’ / 2024
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Henrique Amud (Arapuá Filmes)
Dreaming of flight
Das Huhn will fliegen De kip die wil vliegen
The chicken must lay eggs. But the swallows in the sky make her long for something else: she wants to fly!
→ Elena Walf / Germany & Croatia / 5’ / 2025
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Bianca Just (Studio FILM BILDER GmbH)
Itching to dance Danskriebels
COMPILATION
Adorable animation full of fun and colour. These five short films about dancing and games will put a smile on the faces of toddlers and preschoolers. Dancing with mice in the rain, turning leaves into toys, or exploring an organism as a cell? The animals, creatures and kids in this collection of short stories do it all to the rhythm of the music.
→ Different directors / Different countries / 27’ / 2024-2025
→ No dialogue
Toti
Two cells explore the organism in which they live. The friends grow up together until they unexpectedly lose each other and have to go their separate ways.
→ Maëlle Chevallier / Switzerland / 6’ / 2024
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Caïn Trunz (Nadasdy Film)
De-Sastre Wat een ramp
Daniela moves into a new flat full of enthusiasm. But then little creatures start to appear! With her clothes on? It's a real mystery.
→ Marolyn Ávila, Tommaso Mangiacotti, María Antonieta Fernández, Constanza Melio & Kuang Yi Lee / Spain / 8’ / 2024
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Gerard Vidal (Producciones Dosmentes)
Dancing in the rain Regendans
A little girl falls asleep while it is raining. In her dreams, she dances with mice to the rhythm of the raindrops.
→ Chao-chun Yeh / Japan & Taiwan / 6’ / 2025
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Tomohiro Uchiyama
Playground Speeltuin
In a crazy hidden world lives a family of leaf eaters. They turn the greenery around them into toys so they can play together.
→ Jojo Chongjaroenjai / United States / 1’ / 2024
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Jojo Chongjaroenjai
Tatarang!
Tatarang is an adorable little dog. Would you like to take him for a walk and meet his friends?
→ Kim Manri / South Korea / 5’ / 2024
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Sim Yeojin (AniSEED)
Journey with Ellie the Elephant Op reis met Ellie de olifant
COMPILATION
Simple stories with a heartwarming message. Ellie the Elephant is a true feel-good friend, making sure every animal can join in, no matter how different they are. Everyone belongs. Each short episode ends with a catchy song that playfully reinforces the story.
Seal wants to build sand castles, Hedgehog pokes a leak in his pool, Polar Bear doesn’t want to go to the North Pole on his own, Beaver feels guilty, and Bat is lonely in his dark cave. No problem! During their adventurous trips, Ellie the Elephant always has an idea to make sure everyone can play along.
→ Ellen Langendam / Belgium & the Netherlands / 30’ / 2025
→ Dutch spoken, no subtitles
A day at the seaside Een dagje aan zee
Ellie and her friends are on the beach. They have shovels and buckets with them to build sandcastles. Seal is sad because the water doesn’t reach far enough. Then, Ellie finds a solution that lets Seal play along.
→ Ellen Langendam / Belgium & the Netherlands / 6’ / 2025
→ Dutch spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Fokko Vonk (Just 4 Kids)
Staying afloat
Blijven drijven
On a sunny day, Ellie and her friends are swimming in the lake. Hedgehog wants to join in too, but he keeps deflating the inflatable animals with his spikes. Until Ellie comes up with an idea that lets Hedgehog float with his friends.
→ Ellen Langendam / Belgium & the Netherlands / 6’ / 2025
→ Dutch spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Fokko Vonk (Just 4 Kids)
The North Pole De Noordpool
Polar Bear goes to the North Pole on his own, but feels a bit sad. Ellie and her friends decide to come with him! Together, they travel by rivers, seas, and icebergs to the top of the globe, where they help Polar Bear build a beautiful igloo.
→ Ellen Langendam / Belgium & the Netherlands / 6’ / 2025
→ Dutch spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Fokko Vonk (Just 4 Kids)
Sailing Varen
Ellie and her friends are in a canoe, when suddenly a tree trunk falls on their boat. Beaver accidentally chewed through it. The canoe is broken and Beaver is sad, because he only wanted to help. Luckily, Ellie comes with something that they can all float in, and Beaver is the hero of the day.
→ Ellen Langendam / Belgium & the Netherlands / 6’ / 2025
→ Dutch spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Fokko Vonk (Just 4 Kids)
In the cave In de grot
During a hike, Ellie and her friends have to hide from the rain. It is dry in a dark cave, but a dark shadow frightens them. Luckily, it’s only a friendly bat, who is a bit lonely. But thanks to Ellie, the cave becomes the most fun place on earth!
→ Ellen Langendam / Belgium & the Netherlands / 6’ / 2025
→ Dutch spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Fokko Vonk (Just 4 Kids)
3+
Mister Paper sees the big picture
Meneer Papier ziet het groots
Mister Paper gets rejected Meneer Papier vangt bot
Mister Paper trips over a bone in his garden and quickly finds more. He puzzles them all together and discovers that he has found a real dinosaur.
→ Ben Tesseur & Steven De Beul / Belgium & Greece / 5’ / 2026
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Liza Brandt (JEF)
Mister Paper is surprised Meneer Papier is verwonderd
Mister Paper hears strange noises in the air and sees geese fly overhead. He runs after them, but with his eyes to the sky, he doesn’t see what is in front of his feet.
Mister Paper flies a kite Meneer Papier vliegert
On a windy day, Mister Paper cuts a kite, but the wind is so strong that he almost flies away himself.
→ Ben Tesseur & Steven De Beul / Belgium & Greece / 5’ / 2026
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Liza Brandt (JEF)
Mister Paper is in trouble Meneer Papier zit in de nesten
On his jog, Mister Paper accidentally ends up in a bird’s nest. He looks around from up high and discovers a whole new world up in the sky.
→ Ben Tesseur & Steven De Beul / Belgium & Greece / 5’ / 2026
→ No dialogue
COMPILATION
Be the first to watch brand-new episodes of Mister Paper. These playful and creative stop-motion shorts, based on the books by Elvis Peeters and Gerda Dendooven, celebrate the power of imagination.
Mister Paper has everything he needs: a cat and a pair of scissors. He cuts his own world. This way, he can go fly a kite, go ice skating and dive underground. But some things he cuts start to lead their own lives, and become bigger and bigger…
→ Ben Tesseur & Steven De Beul / Belgium & Greece / 45’ / 2026
→ No dialogue 3+
Mister Paper sees the big picture Meneer Papier ziet het groots
Mister Paper finds a magnifying glass and suddenly everything around him seems bigger. Can he make something big himself?
→ Ben Tesseur & Steven De Beul / Belgium & Greece / 5’ / 2026
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Liza Brandt (JEF)
→ Ben Tesseur & Steven De Beul / Belgium & Greece / 5’ / 2026
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Liza Brandt (JEF)
Mister Paper looks for a way out Meneer Papier zoekt een uitweg
Mister Paper cuts a fair with a merrygo-round and funhouse mirrors. But walking through the mirrors suddenly makes him lose his way.
→ Ben Tesseur & Steven De Beul / Belgium & Greece / 5’ / 2026
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Liza Brandt (JEF)
Mister Paper goes up high Meneer Papier gaat de hoogte in
Mister Paper cuts his own mountain and hiking boots and starts to climb. But the higher he goes, the more dangerous it becomes to get back down safely.
→ Ben Tesseur & Steven De Beul / Belgium & Greece / 5’ / 2026
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Liza Brandt (JEF)
Mister Paper wants to skate Meneer Papier wil schaatsen
It’s cold. Mister Paper wants to go ice skating; he cuts everything he needs to make his own skating rink. He’s enjoying sliding around… until the sun comes out.
→ Ben Tesseur & Steven De Beul / Belgium & Greece / 5’ / 2026
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Liza Brandt (JEF)
→ Contact: Liza Brandt (JEF)
Mister Paper goes underground Meneer Papier gaat ondergronds
During a walk, Mister Paper discovers a cave. What could be inside?
→ Ben Tesseur & Steven De Beul / Belgium & Greece / 5’ / 2026
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Liza Brandt (JEF)
Little Charlie Charlie!
3+
COMPILATION
This new animated series is based on the hugely popular German Karlhen bunny picture books. In Charlie’s world, it’s okay to make mistakes, explore boundaries, and experience every emotion. A gentle and beautiful series offering a safe, comforting space where toddlers and preschoolers will feel right at home.
In six short episodes, young viewers follow the adventures of Charlie, an adorable rabbit. Everything in his life is new: whether he is learning to cook, getting a scratch on his leg or picking a small carrot. And Charlie has a lot of feelings about it all. Fortunately, Charlie's family and friends are there to help him. Bounce along with Charlie from one relatable adventure to the next.
→ Anneke de Graaf / The Netherlands, Germany & Italy / 42’ / 2026
→ Dutch spoken, no subtitles
Robot dad Robotpapa
Dad doesn't have time to play, he has to cook. So Charlie builds a robot daddy out of cardboard. But this daddy isn't fun at all. Luckily, Dad dresses up and they pretend to be robots together. All that fun makes Charlie hungry... Maybe they can make dinner together?
→ Anneke de Graaf / The Netherlands, Germany & Italy / 7’ / 2026
→ Dutch spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Janneke van de Kerkhof (Submarine)
The parcel Het pakket
When Monica's mum is feeling sad, Monica and Charlie decide to cheer her up with something really special. They deliver a huge parcel to her front door. What a lovely surprise!
→ Anneke de Graaf / The Netherlands, Germany & Italy / 7’ / 2026
→ Dutch spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Janneke van de Kerkhof (Submarine)
Grown ups
Groot zijn is beter
Charlie thinks life is much more fun when you're grown up, because no one tells you what to do all the time. Charlie and Clara swap roles with their mum and dad for a day. They discover that being an adult isn't so easy after all.
→ Anneke de Graaf / The Netherlands, Germany & Italy / 7’ / 2026
→ Dutch spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Janneke van de Kerkhof (Submarine)
Charlie and the wild tiger De woeste tijger
After Dad has told a story about a fierce tiger, Charlie notices that his cuddly toy has disappeared. While searching for it, Charlie sees the tiger everywhere in the house. He realises that sometimes our minds create stories that aren't real.
→ Anneke de Graaf / The Netherlands, Germany & Italy / 7’ / 2026
→ Dutch spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Janneke van de Kerkhof (Submarine)
Cuts and bruises
Tegen het zere been
Charlie gets a scratch on his leg. Monica plays doctor and pushes Charlie around in a cart. But that soon gets boring, so it's Monica's turn to be the patient.
→ Anneke de Graaf / The Netherlands, Germany & Italy / 7’ / 2026
→ Dutch spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Janneke van de Kerkhof (Submarine)
The best carrot De grootste wortel
Charlie is disappointed because Monica has picked a much bigger carrot. But Grandma shows him that sometimes smaller means better. For example, his little carrot is the perfect decoration for their carrot cake.
→ Anneke de Graaf / The Netherlands, Germany & Italy / 7’ / 2026
→ Dutch spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Janneke van de Kerkhof (Submarine)
Come and get me! Pak me dan, als je kan!
Mojappi - It's mine! Mojappi - À moi! Mojappi - Van mij!
Nutissimo Nootsituatie
COMPILATION
A cheerful collection of short films for the tiniest moviegoers. These lively adventures, suitable for toddlers and preschoolers are full of joy, friendship and a touch of mischief!
A poisonous mushroom that wants to cook, a young rooster that can't crow or a hedgehog looking for its quills... in a dog's bottom? And what about a sad dragon or a mischievous mouse? The young viewers will never get enough of the eight wonderfully wacky short films in this selection.
→ Different directors / Different countries / 39’ / 2024-2025
→ No dialogue 3+
Kukeleku
The story follows Nugget, a young, voiceless rooster who discovers a squeaky toy and uses it to fake his crow.
→ Jelle Janssen / The Netherlands / 3’ / 2024
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Anneleen Naudts (Dalton Distribution)
Bobel's kitchen
De keuken van Bobel
Bobel, a poisonous little mushroom, dreams of becoming a cook at his village market. But the prejudices of the villagers will make his task difficult.
→ Fiona Rolland / Belgium / 10’ / 2025
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Anneleen Naudts (Dalton Distribution)
Mojappi, a trio of naughty kids who live in the forest, just love being naughty. One day, they find out that their friends are baking pancakes! They will do anything to get those pancakes!
→ Nijitaro / Japan / 3’ / 2024
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Anneleen Naudts (Dalton Distribution)
Lena's farm: dreaming of flight Lenas Hof: das Huhn will fliegen Lena's boerderij: de kip wil vliegen
The hen is supposed to lay eggs, just like the other chickens. But the swallows in the air have awakened a completely different longing in her: she wants to fly!
→ Elena Walf / Germany / 6’ / 2025
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Anneleen Naudts (Dalton Distribution)
Pingu & Bear Pingu & Bär Pinguïn & Beer
An unusual friendship between two polar pals. They share their ups and downs, and their great common dream of flying.
→ Kai-Anne Oppermann / Germany / 3’ / 2025
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Anneleen Naudts (Dalton Distribution)
Once upon a time in Dragonville Il était une fois à Dragonville Er was eens... in Drakenstad
Samson, a dragon bullied by the other inhabitants of Dragonville, is forced to enter Humanville. There he meets Simon, a little boy who helps him to face all the difficulties. Samson discovers a new world and, above all, a taste of friendship.
→ Marika Herz / France & Switzerland / 9’ / 2025
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Anneleen Naudts (Dalton Distribution)
At the beginning of autumn, a squirrel prepares its reserves for winter, gathering acorns, chestnuts and hazelnuts. As it finishes its inventory, it realises that it is missing a walnut. When it finds it, a crow steals it, triggering a frantic chase through the branches in the forest.
→ Nicolas Bianco / France / 3’ / 2024
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Anneleen Naudts (Dalton Distribution)
House trap Huizenval
When a mouse steals the last piece of a puzzle, an estranged family is brought together for a cat-and-mouse game.
→ George Hampshire / The Netherlands / 2’ / 2024
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Anneleen Naudts (Dalton Distribution)
Pol the pirate mouse and the lost ship Pol de piratenmuis en het verdwenen schip
COMPILATION
EARCATCH
Laugh out loud with an adorable little pirate in four original episodes of a new series. A treasure hunt filled with valuable lessons about friendship, learning from your mistakes and helping each other.
Pol the mouse lives in the forest, and there is so much to discover! She loves to explore and hunt for treasures, because Pol is a true pirate — complete with her very own eye patch. No one needs to know it's really for her lazy eye... Together with her friends, Pol goes water-skiing, brews tea from four-leaf clovers, explores caves, and tries to track down a long-lost ship.
→ Bouwine Pool / The Netherlands / 44’ / 2025
→ Dutch spoken, no subtitles
Water slides Waterglijers
Skip announces that he has new water-skies and tries to hold on when their ship Bamboom races across the water. All the friends are amazed and ask if they can borrow it, but skip doesn’t want to share.
→ Bouwine Pool / The Netherlands / 7’ / 2025
→ Dutch spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Janneke van de Kerkhof (Submarine)
Pasha's unlucky day Pasha's pechdag
Pasha is having an unlucky day and only four-leaf clover tea can make it better.
→ Bouwine Pool / The Netherlands / 7’ / 2025
→ Dutch spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Janneke van de Kerkhof (Submarine)
Cave monster Grotmonster
Pol and her friends are on the hunt for treasure when they find a mysterious cave.
→ Bouwine Pool / The Netherlands / 7’ / 2025
→ Dutch spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Janneke van de Kerkhof (Submarine)
The lost ship Het verdwenen schip
As our friends appear on a cold morning for an icy adventure, they set sail to find treasure which they found glittering shiny icicles hanging from a cave, but when they return to their ship, it has disappeared!
→ Bouwine Pool / The Netherlands / 23’ / 2025
→ Dutch spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Janneke van de Kerkhof (Submarine)
Miss Moxy
EARCATCH
This cheerful adventure by Vincent Bal (Minoes) instantly conquers the hearts of all children. The Flemish voices of Pieter Embrechts, Frank Focketyn, and Barbara Sarafian ensure the needed humor and along with the delightful songs by Flip Kowlier, among others, you will be singing along.
City cat Miss Moxy gets to go on vacation to the south of France with her family — until she gets kidnapped by a woman who wants her to participate in a talent show! Luckily, she manages to escape and bravely sets off on the long journey home. But to get there, she'll have to team up with a dog and a bird. Not exactly her favourite animals...
→ Vincent Bal & Wip Vernooij / Belgium & the Netherlands / 85’ / 2025
→ Flemish spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Katrien Volders (Paradiso)
The great dreamscape De grote droom
COMPILATION
A funny and fast-paced story about a girl with stage fright. Similar to Disney's Inside Out, but for a younger audience. With its beautiful handdrawn animation, this is an unmissable first cinema experience, especially when paired with live piano and two dreamy short films.
A girl stands on stage. She has stage fright. To hide, she wraps herself up in a cape. The fabric seems endless and before she knows it, she ends up in a floating castle. Dreams do come true! And with the short films shown beforehand, you’ll also be whisked away to new worlds.
→ Different directors / Different countries / 45’ / 2024-2026
→ Flemish spoken, no subtitles
Beyond
Verder en verder
A crazy animation about a little hero looking for companionship.
→ Jake Wegesin / France / 8’ / 2024
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Liza Brandt (JEF)
The night tunnel
Maantunnel
Two children live on opposite sides of the world. They meet when they dig a tunnel on the beach. Together, they find their way to the North Pole.
The great dreamscape La grande rêvasion De grote droom
Imagination is the solution for a girl with stage fright.
→ Rémi Durin / Belgium & France / 28’ / 2026
→ Flemish spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Liza Brandt (JEF)
The
Tinies De Mini’s
COMPILATION
This hilarious and inspiring sitcom teaches preschoolers about the joys of working together and caring for the planet. Created by Belgian animation talents Lunamine and Panique, The Tinies is sure to become an audience favourite.
Welcome to the attic! This is where the vibrant world of Ollie and her best friend Titus comes to life. Together, the toys use their crafting talents to solve problems and give old things a brandnew sparkle. Teamwork, creativity, and confidence are their superpowers.
→ Wassim Boutaleb & David Tabourier / Belgium & France / 44’ / 2025
→ Flemish spoken, no subtitles
The
little thing Le bidule Het dingetje
Titus discovers a strange object, but he has no idea what it’s for… Biggebig, Fifi and Virgilier each come up with their own brilliant ideas and they all want to keep the strange object for themselves...
→ Wassim Boutaleb & David Tabourier / Belgium & France / 11’ / 2025
→ Flemish spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Jeroen Derycke (Lunanime)
The investigation L'enquête Het onderzoek
Bella’s teapot has gone missing… and Titus is being accused of stealing it. Oli and Titus start an investigation, but finding the truth isn’t easy when you’re being chased by intergalactic heroes.
→ Wassim Boutaleb & David Tabourier / Belgium & France / 11’ / 2025
→ Flemish spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Jeroen Derycke (Lunanime)
Titus' box
La boîte de Titus
De doos van Titus
Titus finds the old cornflakes box he was ‘born’ in up in the attic. He decides to move back in, because in there he doesn’t have to do anything at all. But Oli misses her friend.
→ Wassim Boutaleb & David Tabourier / Belgium & France / 11’ / 2025
→ Flemish spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Jeroen Derycke (Lunanime)
Dino heroes Dino-héros Dinohelden
Dino Chep accidentally saves Virgilier and suddenly everyone thinks he’s a brave hero! Little Rex is thrilled, now they can both become famous!
→ Wassim Boutaleb & David Tabourier / Belgium & France / 11’ / 2025
→ Flemish spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Jeroen Derycke (Lunanime)
6+
Space cadet
The film debut of multitalented DJ Kid Koala is a magical, music-driven adventure without dialogue. This science-fiction animated film is based on his acclaimed graphic novel of the same name. The soundtrack by Kid Koala, Emiliana Torrini and Martha Wainwright sweeps you into a story about memories and family bonds.
Robot only has one goal in life: to raise the brilliant Celeste. When the young astronaut leaves on a space journey, Robot is left behind. But Celeste's lovely memories of him give her strength during a dangerous expedition.
→ Eric San (Kid Koala) / Canada / 86’ / 2025
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Liza Brandt (JEF)
Little explorers Jonge ontdekkers
COMPILATION
In these enchanting short films, children explore themselves and the world around them. Young viewers will see that mistakes can lead to something beautiful and that differences can bring people together.
There is life in the smallest things. In an ink stain, a bush, the belly of a pregnant woman, or on the branches of a peach tree. The stories in this collection of short films contain the most beautiful dreams. You just have to look closely — like a real explorer.
→ Different directors / Different countries / 55’ / 2024-2025
→ Different languages spoken, English subtitles
Wolfie Vlček
An illustrator that wants everything to be perfect suddenly comes face to face with her own mistake. With an ink stain, she accidentally creates Wolfie, a little wolf with an inky black nose.
→ Philippe Kastner / Czech Republic / 13’ / 2025
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Alexandra Hroncová (Cinefila s.r.o.)
The night boots
Les Bottes de la nuit Nachtlaarzen
In the middle of the night, a kid with rubber boots dives into the bushes. There, he meets a curious and lonely creature that doesn’t want to let him go.
→ Pierre-Luc Granjon / France / 12’ / 2024
→ French spoken, Dutch live dub, English subtitles
Special friends takes you on a journey through six short, imaginative stories. You will meet animals, strange creatures and unexpected friends. Together, they show you that every new place can bring something beautiful — if you dare to look, listen and discover.
The colourful collection of characters in this compilation all have something to overcome. A ladybird loses her armour, a girl finds her way in the forest, a cat teaches a strict teacher the true meaning of snow and two polar animals search for a new home. And what about stargazers or tram passengers fully absorbed in their books? Each short film is a journey into a magical world, together with your new, special friends.
→ Different directors / Different countries / 52’ / 2024-2025
→ Dutch spoken, no subtitles
The winter cat Il gatto inverno De winterkat
Beautiful snowflakes make little Giovanni daydream, causing him to be late for school. Fortunately, the 'winter cat' is there to charm his strict teacher.
→ Contact: Chiara Magri (Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia (Piedmont branch) National Film School)
Reading between the lines Tussen de regels
The passengers on a tram are all lost in a book. There is much more between the lines than you might think...
→ Jochen Rall / Switzerland / 7’ / 2025
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Caïn Trunz (Nadasdy Film)
Plumero Pluimpje
The absent-minded Valentina is on her way to her grandmother's house. In the forest, all kinds of creatures try to get her attention, but her friend the fox protects her.
A polar bear and a penguin are looking for a new home on an island where a dog lives. They all want the place for themselves. Until the ocean starts to rise.
→ Yongxin Wang / Germany / 6’ / 2025
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Cristina Marx (Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF)
SUPERNOVA Supernova
Soo and Tow initially lived on different stars. When they meet, they witness those stars exploding together.
→ Lim Yerim, Joo Youngwoo, Lee Jiyoon & Kim Minkyung / South Korea / 7’ / 2024
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Sim Yeojin (AniSEED)
Down in the dumps
Right before her perfect birthday party, Cinelli's armour is stolen by her jealous neighbour. The ladybird is completely devastated.
→ Vera van Wolferen / The Netherlands / 18’ / 2025
→ Dutch spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Hidde de Vries (Kapitein Kort)
Alfie, the little werewolf
Dolfje weerwolfje
CLASSIC
As thrilling as it is cute! This film adaptation of Paul Van Loon's first book about Alfie, the little werewolf has become a classic over the past fifteen years. Do not miss the chance to see it on the big screen. Because every person has a wolf inside them...
On the evening of Alfie's seventh birthday, when the moon is full, strange things suddenly happen. White fluffy ears, soft fur all over his body, sharp claws, and teeth: Alfie turns into a little wolf! From now on, every full moon he jumps out of his bedroom window, hunts chickens and chases cats. But Alfie doesn't want to be a little werewolf at all. And what if his foster parents find out? Will they still love him?
→ Joram Lürsen / The Netherlands / 87’ / 2011
→ Dutch spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Liza Brandt (JEF)
Tales of the magic
garden
Pohádky po babičce Verhalen uit de magische tuin
COMPETITION
In this heartwarming animated film, the wonderful stop-motion leaps off the screen. It is an enchanting ode to the power of storytelling.
A grandmother tells her grandchildren the most wonderful stories, each inspired by three ingredients they get to choose themselves. When Grandma is no longer there, little sister Suzanne takes over as storyteller. The house once again fills with adventure, humour, and imagination. With magical cats, jungles full of wild animals, and the king of the birds in Africa.
→ David Súkup, Patrik Pašš, Leon Vidmar & JeanClaude Rozec / France, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Republic / 71’ / 2025
→ Dutch spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Liza Brandt (JEF)
Dandelion’s odyssey Planètes
COMPETITION
Without dialogue but through a unique blend of techniques, the Japanese director immerses us in an extraordinary space adventure. Expect giant snails and alien mushrooms in a cinematic journey that will leave everyone in awe. Without a doubt, this is the festival's most original film.
Four dandelion seeds survive a disaster on Earth and are swept into the cosmos. As they journey past planets and constellations, they eventually land in an unknown world, where they begin an unforgettable search for a new home
→ Momoko Seto / Belgium & France / 76’ / 2025
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Wiepko Oosterhuis (Bantam Film)
King of the wanderers Koning van de zwervers
COMPETITION
An honest children's film, just as we expect from our northern neighbours. This energetic coming-of-age story breaks taboos surrounding mental health, tailored to a young audience.
After years of absence, eleven-yearold Meissy's father suddenly shows up again. She is fascinated by his thrilling stories and his wandering lifestyle. But as time goes by, she discovers why her mother has always warned her about him: her father suffers from hallucinations.
→ Janne Schmidt / Belgium & the Netherlands / 87’ / 2025
→ Dutch spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Robin Kerremans (Caviar)
BEAT
VR
Step into a magical world with BEAT, a touching VR experience. Your heartbeat brings a rusty robot to life — one that never learned how to move.
Teach a robot to discover what it means to truly live. Is friendship something to be taken for granted? How do you talk to others when you've never learned to connect? BEAT was selected for the 2020 Venice Film Festival.
→ Keisuke Itoh / Japan / 45’ / 2020
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Tetsuya Ohashi (CinemaLeap Inc.)
The boy at the edge of the world
Chłopiec
na krańcach świata
De jongen aan het einde van de wereld
COMPETITION
This atmospheric animated film is a heartwarming call to express your feelings and not hide your tears. It is an adventure full of extraordinary creatures in a mysterious world, but also an emotional fable about a family growing closer together.
The calm Omul and the impulsive Mikro are brothers, but not the best of friends... Nevertheless, they set off together into the unknown. Their sister Kimi has been captured by a sea monster. To save her, the boys must learn to understand the enchanted creatures they encounter on their journey. And perhaps even each other too?
→ Grzegorz Wacławek & Marta Szymańska / Spain, Turkey & Poland / 88’ / 2025
→ English spoken, Dutch subtitles
→ Contact: Leonie Raschke (Sola Media GmbH)
Olivia and the invisible earthquake
L'Olívia i el terratrèmol
invisible Olivia
This charming animated film shows the world through the eyes of a twelve-year-old. A hopeful story about self-reliance, community and imagination, brought to life through relatable characters, cheerful animation and catchy music.
Twelve-year-old Olivia's life changes overnight when she and her family have to move because of her mother's financial troubles. She feels responsible for her little brother Tim and convinces him that they are actors in a movie. Slowly but surely Olivia's lie falls apart. Luckily, their warm and helpful neighbours are there for them. Together, they turn every challenge into a game and every day into an unforgettable memory.
→ Contact: Vivien Vandekerckhove (O'Brother Distribution)
Mira
A touching coming-of-age film about the struggles of adolescence. Told from the relatable perspective of teenage girl Mira, it explores how friendships change and evolve as we grow up.
Do you know that feeling? Friendship heartbreak? Eleven-year-old Mira does. Her BFF Nadia becomes part of the ‘Love Club’ of the cool new girl in class. They love TikTok, love and makeup. But Mira doesn’t think any of that is interesting.
→ Marie Limkilde / Denmark / 85’ / 2025
→ Danish spoken, Dutch subtitles
→ Contact: Henk Cluytens (September Film)
Small dogs bark
loud Salto, pus og bucketliten
This playful and tender documentary has a touch of magic: the main character’s dog can speak! Allow yourself to be moved by this powerful portrait of a brave girl, determined to get everything she can out of life. Tuni is twelve years old. She has a special connection with her dog Salto; he even sleeps in her bed. Salto was given to her after her older brother lost his life to suicide. Now that, on top of that, her mother has cancer, Tuni has a hard time talking about her feelings, but she knows more than anyone how precious time is. So she makes a list of all the things she wants to do. Dancing in the rain, selling pearls with her friends, and teaching Salto to stop barking — so they can go on vacation. On the bottom of the list, there’s something that requires a lot of courage: visiting her brother’s grave.
→ Nora Nivedita Tvedt / Norway / 71’ / 2025
→ Norwegian spoken, Dutch subtitles
→ Contact: Lillian Løvseth (LØV Film)
Somewhere along the way Ergens onderweg
COMPETITION
Every character in these surprising short films is on a journey. What will they find at the end of their trip? Well, that's a surprise for them too. Join five adventurous and promising filmmakers on their journey.
Travelling in real life is possible, but so is travelling in your mind! Just look at little Agata, on a bus from Poland to Belgium. Or toy creator Eva, helpful Marta or Linh from Vietnam. And then there's old man Piet, who slowly turns into a bird. During their travels, all the characters in these short films undergo a remarkable transformation.
→ Different directors / Different countries / 59’ / 2024-2025
→ Different languages spoken, English & Dutch
COMPETITION
Autokar
Op de bus
Agata is eight years old when she leaves Poland on a bus to go and live in Belgium. When she loses her pencil on the bus, her search turns into a kind of voyage of discovery.
→ Sylwia Szkiłądź / Belgium & France / 17’ / 2025
→ Polish spoken, English & Dutch subtitles`
→ Contact: Luce Grosjean (Miyu Distribution)
Everything we missed Všetko, čo sme nestihli Wat hebben we gemist?
Toy creator Eva is overwhelmed with work. But an unexpected event helps her rediscover her dog Kubko and the joy of life.
→ Contact: Lucia Dubravay Trautenberger (Bear with me distribution)
Spark Chispa
Vonk
Marta helps her lonely father by doing as much as she can herself. When she notices that he has less and less time for her, she tries to win back his attention.
→ Vera Kayh / Germany & Argentina / 11’ / 2025
→ Spanish spoken, English subtitles
→ Contact: Vera Kayh (Filmakademie BadenWuerttemberg GmBH)
Ma Doi, hungry ghost
Ma Đói
Ma Doi, geest met honger
The town of Hôi An in Vietnam invites wandering spirits during an annual festival. A girl named Linh accidentally causes the arrival of a very mischievous spirit...
→ Ludivine Bidoire, Manon Etienne, Lisa Gazagne, Clémence Goin, Clara Grindatto, Lisa Cao (Guilhen), Leilani Meylan & Tuong-Vy Nguyen / France / 7’ / 2024
→ Vietnamese spoken, English & Dutch subtitles
→ Contact: Miguel Español Celiméndiz (Wasia)
Murmuration Zwermen
Piet lives in a nursing home. He is getting old and notices that he can no longer do everything he wants to do. And then he suddenly starts turning into a bird.
→ Janneke Swinkels & Tim Frijsinger / Belgium & the Netherlands / 12’ / 2025
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Luce Grosjean (Miyu Distribution)
Dancing queen in Hollywood Dancing queen i Hollywood
COMPETITION
An immersive teen drama about dancing, friendship, love and identity. And featuring Brad Pitt! Or... maybe not?
The enthusiastic Mina is off to Hollywood! There, she and her Norwegian dance group get the chance to shoot a music video. Will high expectations, rising tensions and first crushes spoil the fun? Or will Mina and her friends reconcile on the dance floor?
→ Aurora Gossé / Norway / 86’ / 2025
→ Dutch spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Dennis Zuijdervliet (In The Air)
The
mountain Te maunga De berg
An entertaining family film from New Zealand, full of charming characters and beautiful nature scenes. The three young protagonists prove how powerful children can be. A playful and honest adventure about origins, acceptance and, of course, friendship.
Sam escapes from the hospital. She believes she will defeat her cancer in another way! By climbing Taranaki Maunga, for example, the mountain with which she feels connected as a Māori. When she crosses paths with Bronco and Mallory, the two boys join her secret mission. The trio quickly forms a close friendship, while their worried parents set out to search for them.
→ Rachel House / New Zealand / 89’ / 2024
→ English & Maori spoken, Dutch subtitles
→ Contact: Carthew Neal (Piki Films Limited)
Tomorrow I'll be brave Ab morgen bin ich mutig Vanaf morgen ben ik dapper
COMPETITION
This romantic film goes straight to the heart of anyone who has ever been in love. A gentle and authentic love story about those very first butterflies in your stomach.
Twelve-year-old Karl falls in love with Lea. She is the tallest girl in their class, a whole lot taller than Karl. Karl needs a lot of courage to find out if Lea likes him too. And the clock is ticking, because elementary school is almost over. The class trip is Karl’s last chance to become Lea’s boyfriend.
→ Bernd Sahling / Germany / 80’ / 2025
→ German spoken, Dutch subtitles
→ Contact: Markus Kaatsch (Zeitgeist Filmproduktion)
Ket & Doc 2026
Next move Bal of Beest?
COMPETITION
COMPILATION DOCUMENTARY
Every year, VAF, KETNET and JEF support the production of four documentaries for children. You will see them for the first time at Youth Film Festival Antwerp!
This year, Ket and Doc's four youth documentaries once again offer a glimpse into the extraordinary lives of ordinary children. An Afghan girl overcomes her fear of the sea to learn how to surf. Lars has to choose between playing football with his friends and competing in dog shows with his faithful four-legged friend Noortje. Ider has a big secret to keep, because why does he only get to see his dad on Wednesdays and Sundays? And best friends Mila and Amélie join the youth fire brigade.
→ Different directors / Belgium / 60’ / 2026
→ Dutch spoken, Dutch subtitles 9+
Forged in Fire Vuurdoop
During the youth fire brigade training sessions, the friendship between Mila and Amélie grows.
→ Jules Mathôt / Belgium / 15’ / 2026
→ Dutch spoken, Dutch subtitles
→ Contact: Liza Brandt (JEF)
In between waves Tussen de golven
During a five-week surfing therapy program in Ostend, Sana (11) not only learns to surf, but above all learns perseverance and works on her self-confidence.
→ Britt Vanhaelen / Belgium / 15’ / 2026
→ Dutch spoken, Dutch subtitles
→ Contact: Liza Brandt (JEF)
Lars has two passions: football and dog shows. When that combination becomes too much pressure, he is faced with a choice: ball or beast?
→ Florence Boone / Belgium / 15’ / 2026
→ Dutch spoken, Dutch subtitles
→ Contact: Liza Brandt (JEF)
Dad = (not) bad Papa = (g)een boef
If your dad is in prison, is he a crook?
→ Petronella Van der Hallen / Belgium / 15’ / 2026
→ Dutch spoken, Dutch subtitles
→ Contact: Liza Brandt (JEF)
VR cinema 9+
Virtual reality?
That's disappearing into a new world!
Experience two sensational films in our wonderful VR cinema at De Cinema in Antwerp!
The
sad story of the little mouse who wanted to become somebody
La triste histoire de la petite souris qui voulait absolument devenir quelqu’un De kleine muis die iemand wil worden
VR
Go on a journey through this wonderfully animated fairy tale. A meaningful story highlighting the importance of creativity in a world driven by profit. A film filled with life lessons.
A small mouse wants to become someone very important, but her ambition doesn’t get her many friends. Then she finds a job with the most hardworking toymaker in the world: Santa Claus. Does she learn her lesson?
→ Nicolas Bourniquel & Floriane Cortes / Belgium, Germany & France / 28’ / 2025
→ English spoken, Dutch subtitles
→ Contact: Wan-Chen Huang (Astrea)
Creation of the worlds Pasaulių sutvėrimas Reis naar het onbekende
VR
Let yourself be swept up on a poetic and wordless journey through breathtaking landscapes that slowly transform. A soothing experience that knows no bounds — just stand still, listen and realise that life is a miracle.
A magical experience in Virtual Reality. This film is based on more than sixty paintings by Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, one of the greatest artists of Lithuania. His name is not as well-known around here, but his work is absolutely worth discovering! His dream-like worlds capture the imagination.
This smart and funny coming-of-age film uses fantasy as a way to escape reality. That same imaginary world becomes a path toward independence and self-acceptance. A feel-good audience favourite from Poland, bursting with life and energy!
Sergius is a teenager in a technical school. His family and classmates think he’s just some loser, because he loves fantasy and LARP-games. In that amazing world of swords and witchcraft, he is an invincible hero. Then, Helena enters his life. She shares his love for fantasy, but is part of the popular kids. Sergius wants to prove himself, and fight for love in the real world. To do this, he has to take on his family, his biggest rival, and, most importantly, his own fears and insecurities.
→ Kordian Kądziela / Poland / 94’ / 2025
→ Polish spoken, Dutch subtitles
→ Contact: Katarzyna Hardej (Dystrybucja Mówi Serwis)
ChaO
You have never seen such a marvelous take on the classic fairy tale The Little Mermaid. This psychedelic romcom is a mix of brilliant animation, sublime colours and pure fantasy. It's a mustsee for anime lovers. And even those who don't yet appreciate this Japanese drawing style will be talking about it after experiencing ChaO!
Shanghai, in the future. A young journalist wants to investigate why humans and mermaids live together in harmony. Because that wasn't always the case: mermaids were often injured by boat propellers. That changed when a ship designer and the daughter of Neptune, god of the sea, met... What is their story?
→ Yasuhiro Aoki / Japan / 90’ / 2025
→ Japanese spoken, Dutch subtitles
→ Contact: Marc Nauleau (Best Friend Forever)
Fantastique
DOCUMENTARY
A poetic and enchanting documentary about the power of dreaming big. On the rhythm of colour and music, we follow an acrobatic girl on the way to her goal.
Fourteen-year-old Fanta lives in Guinea-Conakry, West-Africa. She spends her days in school, caring for her mother, and dreaming of shining as an acrobat in the Amoukanama circus.
→ Marjolijn Prins / Belgium, the Netherlands & France / 71’ / 2025
→ Susu & French spoken, Dutch subtitles
→ Contact: Marjolijn Prins (Serendipity Films)
Inflatable cinema
It's colorful, big and you can watch movies in it. It is... the inflatable cinema! During Youth Film Festival Antwerp, the cinema travels from park to square and stands in a different place in Antwerp every day. Together with various neighborhood and city partners we create a minivillage where there is plenty to do.
3+
Scrubby
→ Paul Vollet, Germany, 2023 Coot
→ Marlies van der Wel, the Netherlands, 2023
Homework
→ Nacho Arjona, Spain, 2024 Filante
→ Marion Jamault, France, 2024
The Odd Carrot
→ Inese Pavēne, Latvia, 2024 Who's Wrong?
→ Stina Wirsén & Linda Hambäck, Sweden, 2024 Bouquet
→ Cécile Robineau, France, 2023
Forever Seven
→ Alexander Isert & Antje Heyn, Germany, 2024 Coin Coin
→ Anouk Archambault, Amélie Frit, Lucile Grunder, Solenn Lelaisant & Jeanne Marotte, France, 2023 A little beetle returns
→ Elene Sebiskveradze, Georgia, 2023
Butterfly
→ Suncana Brkulj, Croatia & Denmark, 2024 Foxtale
→ Alexandra Allen, Portugal, 2022
The Missing Spots
→ Astrid Rothaug, Austria, 2024 Hoeba
→ Sem Assink, the Netherlands, 2022 Hoofs on Skates
→ Ignas Meilūnas, Lithuania, 2024 Fallin'
→ Carlos Navarro, Spain, 2023 Little fan
→ Sveta Yuferova, Germany, 2023
The greedy bee
→ Gyula Macskássy, Hungary, 1958
The Naughty Owly
→ Gyula Macskássy & György Várnai, Hungary, 1969
The Car with Seven Dots
→ Zsolt Richly, Hungary, 1973
Red Ball with White Spots
→ Tibor Csermák, Hungary, 1961
6+
The Pencil and the Eraser
→ Gyula Macskássy & György Várnai, Hungary, 1960 Apple Thieves
→ Ottó Foky, Hungary, 1966 Soup
→ Christa Moesker, the Netherlands, 2023 Creators
→ Madeleine Homan, the Netherlands, 2023 Keep your feet on the clouds
→ Eleni Lazaridi, Greece, 2021 Lemon & Berry
→ Ilenia Cotardo & Piotr Ficner, Poland, 2022 Lost and found
→ Vivian Papageorgiou, the Netherlands & Greece, 2021
Baking With Boris
→ Maša Avramović, France, Switzerland & Croatia, 2024 The Grand Mother
→ Julia Hazuka, Poland, 2023 Wing it!
→ Rik Schutte, the Netherlands, 2023 Ovo
→ Stiv Spasojevic, France, 2023 Sparrows
→ Rémi Durin, Belgium & France, 2024 Caterpillar
→ Susanne Hagen, the Netherlands, 2024 Felice fiasco
Creating, filming, or gaming? There's a workshop for everyone!
Parent-child workshops
Color explorers Kleurenzoekers
What’s happening? The world has lost all its colors! We need color explorers ready to set off on an adventure, and we need them right now!
In this playful duo workshop, (grand) parents and young children team up for imaginative activities where creativity takes center stage. You’ll play, search, film, and create. Most importantly: you'll work together to bring color back into the world.
Organised by JEF, in collaboration with director Liesbeth De Mey. Liesbeth De Mey is a filmmaker, editor, and workshop leader. Inclusion, justice, and feminism are central themes in her work. In 2023, she made the children's documentary Ronde 3, which was screened at numerous festivals.
DIY drive-in cinema
During this high-energy workshop at De Blikfabriek, we’ll build our own cars, from side mirrors to spoilers, using paint, cardboard, and all kinds of materials. Pimp your ride and take it through the car wash and pit stop.
We’ll finish in a real drive-in cinema, where we’ll watch short films about racing, driving, and rolling down the road. No driver’s license required, and grown-ups are welcome too! The short films you'll watch here are: Rumble bumble rally (Annette Saugestad Helland & Johan Kaos, Norway, 2024), Gravity racer (Finn Walther, Norway, 2025) and Grand prix (Anna Solanas & Marc Riba, Spain, 2011).
Organised by JEF.
Multi-day workshops
The retro filmmakers De retrofilmers
What was it like to pose for the very first photographs? Why were they black and white? Who actually invented photography? And what appeared in the very first film?
Time to embark on a journey through history. In one of the most inspiring places in the city, you will dive into the early years of photography and film. Before you know it, you will feel completely at home at FOMU and get a behind-the-scenes at Cinema Lumière.
Organised by Coccolarte, in collaboration with JEF and FOMU. Coccolarte organises workshops that bathe in fantasy, where art is magic and homeliness is central.
Theatre Film Week Theaterfilmweek
Camera angles, stop motion, scene, sound, and projections — These words might seem strange now, but after Theatre Film Week, you will know how to play with them. For five days, you will be fully immersed in the world of film and theatre, discovering how they differ, how they are similar and how you can tell your own stories. Inspired by the performance CASTL, we will explore the theme of rituals through hands-on creative activities.
where they can celebrate their unique identities. That is why he founded Xray Community, where young people come together to inspire each other. Florence Boone is a documentary filmmaker and won the VAF wildcard in 2024 with her graduation project Tiger Stripes. Her newest film Football or Show Dog? will premiere at the Youth Film Festival.
Create your own animated film Maak je eigen animatiefilm
Are you between 8 and 12 years old, and do you dream of making your own animation film? At this filmcamp by REKKER, you can become a real filmmaker! In the REKKER studio, you'll be inspired by a film from this year’s Youth Film Festival Antwerp. Together with other young creatives, you'll invent a story around the same themes, write a scenario, and build colourful characters and decors. With professional stop-motion software you can bring your fantasy to life — with images, sound, and a lot of imagination.
At the end of this REKKER filmcamp, your creation will be shared with the world through the REKKER YouTube channel.
Organised by REKKER, in cooperation with JEF. Studio REKKER takes kids and youth on audiovisual adventures in the universe of stop motion animation. 4-6y
This five-day-long workshop is a cooperation between hetpaleis and JEF, and is under the guidance of artists Alex Akuete and Florence Boone. Alex Akuete is an artistic project leader and multidisciplinary artist. He likes to work with children to create an atmosphere
8-12y
Gamejam
For two days, you are the game designer. The result? Your own levels in Super Mario Maker 2 and Super Dungeon Maker. No joke!
Invent an exciting story and bring it to life through a combination of teamwork and digital construction. With your creativity — and our professional guidance — you can make something completely unique, whether that is a hero’s journey through a treacherous jungle, or a mysterious castle filled with puzzles. Your choice.
You don’t need experience with programming or image editing, but of course that is allowed. We work in different teams for every level.
Organised by JEF, in cooperation with Lander van der Biest. With ten years of experience in elementary schools, and a lot of love for gaming, Lander van der Biest has a passion for the combination of games and learning. As the founder of Gamekunde and coordinator of the GameHive project, he explores the power of videogames to discover talents and expand learning opportunities. He is also the co-organiser of events such as OMG (Onderwijs Met Games), where he shares his knowledge on the educational value of games and VR.
Short workshops The world turned upside down De wereld op zijn kop
Today, everything is topsy-turvy, because in this workshop, fantasy is at the forefront. Together with the director of the film Joep in the Tomato Soup you will discover that everything is possible and nothing is too crazy. You will make your own bizarre film and end up with a magical portal to a different world. One filled with unique characters, special locations, and unexpected adventures. And of course, you will experiment with techniques, materials, and effects.
Humour, chaos, and creativity are the magic words in this workshop that encourages children to take their own imagination seriously. Dare to dream!
Organised by JEF, in cooperation with Robin Tijdeman. Through his work, filmmaker Robin Tijdeman researchers the power of play and imagination. He merges reality and fantasy to create a world full of wonder. With his projects, he invites both kids and adults to play, discover, and be surprised once again.
Filming with goosebumps Filmen met kippenvel
Shhhh… Do you hear that spooky music? What is that shadow doing in the hallway? And what’s that? BOOM! AAAAAAH!
In this workshop, you will learn the secrets of a suspenseful scene. Discover how to use editing, sound, and music to make everyday life just a little bit spookier. With small film tasks, you can practice angles and effects. Then,
you can make your own mini horror movie, complete with scary music. Are you ready to scare your audience?
Organised by JEF, in cooperation with film director and teacher Michiel Geluykens. Michiel Geluykens works on short film projects as a freelance director. In this role, he worked with animator Jango Jim to make the series of short films Bompa during quarantine, about the experiences of his grandfather in a nursing home during the COVID pandemic. His most recent shortfilm The Leader Will Come mixes current themes with a hint of horror, and has won many prizes in film festivals nationally and internationally.
Cybercity 1
An ancient evil wakes beneath the city. A cyberwitch sends out her digital animal familiars to control the world through stories. Players must band together and use their own storytelling craft and media knowledge to defeat her, while building their critical AI skills.
Participants of this immersive workshop create their cyberhero characters and backstories, then form teams to play an interactive AI-powered narrative with Augmented Reality manipulation, and interact live with actors and props. Big words that simply mean that this game will swoop you up. With live actors and props! Are you curious already?
And, oh yeah, you will also train your AI skills and critical thinking skills. That’s a nice bonus, right?
Organised by JEF, in cooperation with Wonderspun, the University of Antwerp, and the University of Essex. Wonderspun is an award-winning indie studio specializing in immersive games that blend digital storytelling, immersive technologies, and live performance. Their games are grounded in the latest research in children’s critical literacy at the University of Antwerp and the University of Essex in the UK.
Workshops for schools Workshop on the film Flow Workshop bij Flow
From meow to wow! Your pupils will be inspired by the magic of the Oscar winner Flow, and will discover how digital animation works. Through a game with images and sound, they will become real filmmakers!
During this workshop, your pupils will discover how digitally animated films come to life. They will learn how to make a cat move, and how to experiment with music to amplify the atmosphere. By combining images, sound, and movement, they will become real filmmakers. Maybe someday they will also win an Oscar, just like the makers of Flow?
Workshop on the film Living large Workshop bij Door dik en dun
Make an activist stop motion film against bullying with your students, inspired by the wonderful animation film Through Thick and Thin. The film shows how important it is to be yourself, and that bullying is unacceptable. But what can your pupils do in their own environment?
During this workshop, they will make a stop motion video with an activist message against bullying. They will tell a story and call for action. With the help of iPads, they can bring their ideas to life in a short animation with real impact!
Medialab
Toddler cinema
At Zuiderpershuis in Antwerp, you will find a toddler cinema with an interactive space where children can playfully create and explore their own stories.
The Big Friendly Ghost House
Het Grote Vriendelijke Spookjes Huis
There are ghosts at the festival? They're not scary, but actually very funny. And... they're hiding everywhere. Can you find them? Film, games and imagination in this workshop by Taartrovers.
→ Taartrovers / The Netherlands / 30’ / 2026
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Stien Meesters (Taartrovers)
INSTALLATION
XLMedialab
What if a dog could walk a human, a compass could change the future, or you could beat AI at its own game? Discover these — and many more — brand-new games at the coolest digital playground in the country!
Curieuzereus
INSTALLATION
Creative recycling of cardboard, paper, wood and dust! Together we build a small piece of the universe, where you can really move using a green screen. This way, you are not only a builder, but a citizen of a colourful world that grows thanks to the imagination.
→ Remy Ndow, Chingiz Karibekov & Anthony Nti / Belgium / 20’ / 2026
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Remy Ndow
Journey to the Upperworld Reis naar de Bovenwereld
INSTALLATION
Oh no! An alien has crashed on earth. Work together in duos to control the alien’s balloon. If you can avoid all the obstacles, you can bring back the alien safely to his family.
→ Students at Devine: Tiemen Dhondt, Jara Verbrugghe & Maxim Tampere / Belgium / 5’ / 2026
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Tiemen Dhondt (Devine)
Judofuri
VIDEO GAME
For this fruity party game, you only need one button. To push, squeeze, or mash. After a series of wacky mini games, you will finally know the answer: who is the juiciest fruit of them all?
→ Pataya / France / 1’ / 2024
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Nicolas Ceriani (Pataya)
Lost in play
VIDEO GAME
Toto and Gal are lost in their imagination! They have to work together and solve puzzles to get back home. In this imaginative world full of colourful characters, it’s almost like you are inside an animated film.
→ Snapbreak games / Sweden / 10’ / 2023
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Yuval Markovich (HappyJuice Games)
Metamorphoses
INSTALLATION
Man or machine? Machine or man? This videogame installation combines the best of both worlds. Nature and technology work together in an interactive and dynamic environment. Will you join in?
→ Elina Crespi / Switzerland / 5’ / 2023
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Elina Crespi
Play Stop Motion
INSTALLATION
Experiment with the basic techniques of animated film. Bouncing balls, flying birds, revving rockets and funny faces: let your imagination loose and come up with your own wondrous story.
→ REKKER / Belgium / 30’ / 2023
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Stef Deneer (REKKER)
Rock, Paper, Scissors Blad, Steen, Schaar
INSTALLATION
Can you beat our robot hand in a game of ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’? Spoiler alert: thanks to AI, he almost always wins! But you are welcome to try.
→ Technopolis / Belgium / 3’ / 2024
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Sanne Bellens (Technopolis)
Snout About
In this chaotic game, you are a dog. Along with your friends, you can drag your human on a leash through the park. Avoid obstacles, collect candy, and work together. This way you can become best mates. Wagging tails and panting tongues guaranteed!
→ Erik Nitsche, Johann Neudeck, Xeno Boecker, Linda Hahnemann, Konstantin Sergeev, Carina Voß & Soroush Kioumarsi / Germany / 2’ / 2026
→ English spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Erik Nitsche (Broken Paternoster Games)
WHAT THE CLASH?
VIDEO GAME
Go up against your friends in these crazy online mini-competitions. Choose from hundreds of funny games with endless absurd — and very silly — card combinations.
→ Triband / Denmark / 2’ / 2025
→ Dutch spoken, Dutch subtitles
→ Contact: Florence Bethuys (Triband)
INSTALLATION
Who dares to play with the Earth?
With a real globe as your controller, you can mess with the course of our planet. A crazy game filled with intergalactic signals and dangerous asteroids.
→ Leon Denis & Emilie Breslavetz / France / 5’ / 2025
→ English spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Leon Denise (Incontrolab)
Time ripple
INSTALLATION
Three timelines, two portals, one chance to change the past. It’s 2225. With a compass or a telephone you can change the flow of time. Small deeds have great consequences in this interactive time travel experience for kids.
→ Eva Zoë Heijnen, Keez Duyves & Dionne Cats with support of Cinekid & Amarte Fonds / The Netherlands / 5’ / 2025
→ Dutch spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Eva Zoë Heijnen
House of Tears Huis voor Tranen
VIDEO GAME
This game resembles old combat games like Pokémon or Final Fantasy. Though here you don’t choose from an arsenal of weapons, you choose from options like ‘cooking together’ of ‘hugging’. Every combat is an exercise where you have to adapt to the needs of the other player.
→ Pepijn Willekens, Samuel Baidoo, Fran Vincent & Che Go Eun / Belgium / 5’ / 2026
→ Dutch spoken, Dutch subtitles
→ Contact: Pepijn Willekens (Reveal game studio)
IKUMA The Frozen Compass
VIDEO GAME
Sam and his loyal dog Ellie are stranded on a beach in the Arctic circle. They have to endure the freezing cold and withstand a dark mystery to find the way home. Whether you control both characters on your own or play with someone else, your life depends on your friendship.
→ Mooneystudio / Germany / 15’ / 2026
→ English spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Sinikka Compart (Mooneystudio)
Look into the future Blik op de toekomst
INSTALLATION
Make a time capsule to open in ten years. Who are you now? What are your favourite games and memes? What is important to you? What message do you want to send to the future? And… who gets to know this about you?
→ Waag Futurelab / The Netherlands / 10’ / 2025
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Sanna Leupen (Waag Futurelab)
Lost Twins 2
VIDEO GAME
The cutest puzzle adventure ever! The twins Abi and Ben are lost on a playground. Will you help them find their way home? Wacky levels full of fun and puzzles that will make you a genius!
→ Playdew / Pakistan / 10’ / 2025
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Urooj Iqbal (Playdew)
The lost world De verloren wereld
INSTALLATION
All the colour and sound have disappeared from the world. But you can help! With your feet on the pedals, you can play short games to bring everything back to life. It starts with one tree, which brings back colour and sound step by step. Playful and active, because you have to move, watch, listen, and play together!
→ Students at Devine: Amelie Vandemoortele, Arno Oosterlynck & Lara Loeys / Belgium / 5’ / 2026
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Lara Loeys (Devine)
Two Blobs & Beyond
VIDEO GAME
Working as a team in a world full of bizarre creatures. Together with your friends, you can visit enchanted landscapes, solve puzzles, and help the funny ‘blobs’ along the way.
→ Student at LUCA School of Arts: Ishmael Chaudhry / Belgium / 5’ / 2025
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Ishmael Chaudhry (Chaud games)
UFO abduction UFO ontvoering!
INSTALLATION
Rudy the farmer's cow has been abducted... by an alien. Control Rudy's spaceship by standing on a balance ball. But be careful, during this dangerous space mission you will encounter five exciting levels full of asteroids and UFOs. Can you collect enough shields and lives to rescue Rudy's cow and become the hero of the universe?
→ Students at Devine: Justin Van Dijck & Lars Pieters / Belgium / 5’ / 2026
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Lars Pieters (Devine)
Yarn Guardians
VIDEO GAME
What do flying cats use to combat their enemies? That’s right: powerful balls of yarn! Play with four players competing against each other in this 2D adventure.
→ Pentapaw studios / Germany / 10’ / 2025
→ English spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Regina Krämer (Pentapaw studios)
Mistique Minis
INSTALLATION
Step into a magical world where you change into a mysterious creature or into a mischievous wizard that hunts these creatures. The choice is yours — who do you want to be?
→ Students at Devine: Lina Kausch, Kristína Lednická & Sebastiaan Putman / Belgium / 5’ / 2026
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Lina Kausch (Devine)
VONK N’ VOID Spark. Space. You.
VR
A VR creation game where guidance meets freedom — grow from Vonk’s living realm, explore Void’s open possibilities, and bring their worlds into balance through what you make. Supported by Canada Council for the Arts, Fonds Darstellende Kunst & VAF | Flanders Audiovisual Fund
→ Macromatter, Cinnamon Entertainment & Augmundi / Belgium & Germany / 15’ / In production
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Sarah D'hanens (Cinnamon Entertainment)
Game arena
Feel like battling other gamers like a real athlete? Or would you rather be cheering, like during an exciting sports match? Then join us at the Game arena, a blast for every gamer!
Race against your friends on your bike. Are you a crazy sheep, a raccoon, or a horse? Will you add obstacles, or shoot forward with your jetpack? Or will you earn extra points with a wheelie or backflip? Thanks to its intuitive controls, this party game is incredibly fun. For everyone!
→ Clever endeavour games / Canada / 10’ / 2025
→ No dialogue
→ Contact: Tia Young (Clever endeavour games)
Ultimate sheep raccoon VIDEO GAME
Gaming in the youth centre
Youth Film Festival Antwerp and Outpost Gamecenters join forces to take Youth Film Festival Antwerp on tour to youth centres in Antwerp and Ghent.
In this way, the festival is brought directly to children and young people with a selection of games from Outpost Gamecenter catalogue. We provide a full installation of gaming computers, engaging programs featuring competitive games, and real, supervised gaming tournaments.
School screenings
Tummy Tom and the lost teddybear
Dikkie Dik en de verdwenen knuffel
EARCATCH
Adorable and interactive feature film about your toddler's favourite big orange cat: Tummy Tom. The surprising adventures of this ginger troublemaker are colourful, accompanied by songs, and narrated by none other than Jan Decleir. Your little ones will see themselves in the curiosity and enthusiasm of Tummy Tom. Through the interactive aspect, this promises to be a perfect class activity.
Bear has disappeared! Tummy Tom is trying to find his favourite teddy bear. Along with his best friend Cat Mouse and other animals, he explores the house, the garden, the field, the ditch, the forest, and the beach. On their search, they discover that a bed can be a trampoline, that a stone is actually a turtle, and that you can do circus tricks on a clothesline.
→ Joost van den Bosch & Erik Verkerk / The Netherlands / 62’ / 2024
→ Flemish spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Pascale Devreese (KFD)
Fox and Hare save the forest
The very first feature film about best friends Fox and Hare was a huge success in theaters. And now you can watch it (again) at our festival! All your favorites from the hit Ketnet series play a role in this humorous film adaptation of the book of the same name by Sylvia Vanden Heede and Thé Tjong-Khing. A not-to-be-missed adventure for young and old. With great songs and a spectacularly funny Flemish voice cast!!
Strange things are happening in the forest. Owl has suddenly disappeared, and out of nowhere a large lake has appeared. Fox and Hare are determined to find out what is going on. While searching for their friend Owl, they meet a group of mischievous rats who lead them to the secret hideout of the clever Beaver. There they discover a hidden underwater paradise! But soon they realize that things are not as they seem. Will Fox and Hare find a way out in time? Can they save the forest?
Yuku et la Fleur de l'Himalaya Yuku en de himalayabloem
Yuku sings and plays its way from song to song in this lively adventure full of surprising friendships and catchy music. Featuring the voices of Bent Van Looy, Gloria Monserez, Tine Embrechts, Lucas Van den Eynde, Lotte Villays and Ben Segers. Winner of the Best Children's Film Award at Cinekid 2022.
Yuku, the eldest child in a large mouse family, must guard the food supply. But she prefers to listen to her grandmother, a masterful storyteller with a wondrous ukulele. As the end of grandma's life approaches, Yuku sets off on a musical quest to find the eternally luminous Himalayan flower so that grandma can take it with her on her 'last journey'.
This first ever children's film about Frida Kahlo is magnificently animated and evokes the vibrant atmosphere of her artwork.
Frida lives in the vibrant world of Mexico City, and she sparkles with energy. When she falls ill, she uses her vivid imagination to overcome her obstacles. This is how she became one of the most famous artists of the 20th century.
→ Karine Vézina & André Kadi / France & Canada / 82’ / 2024
→ Flemish spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Liza Brandt (JEF)
EARCATCH
SUBCATCH
Oink Knor
EARCATCH
Entertaining animated film with a delightful Flemish voice cast. About food, vegetarianism, animal welfare and family!
This charming stop-motion film about a piglet, a puppy school and a devious butcher captures all hearts. An accessible way to broach topics such as nutrition, vegetarianism, animal welfare and family.
→ Contact: Vivien Vande Kerckhove (O'Brother Distribution)
Tales of Franz Geschichten vom Franz
Stoere Frans en de gestolen juwelen
What's more fun than going out with your friends? Hit the road with the friends of Tough Franz in this comedy full of misunderstandings and engaging characters! Get your pupils thinking about friendship, arguments and reconciliation in a comical and smooth way. Likeable ‘tough’ Franz invents an excuse to reconcile his quarrelling best friends. Together, they end up in an exciting but mostly hilarious investigation into an alleged jewel thief.
→ Johannes Schmid / Austria & Germany / 72’ / 2023
→ Dutch spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Liza Brandt (JEF)
From meow to wow! Kids, parents and cat lovers: everyone gets enchanted by this epic adventure. An exciting, wordless story of friendship, diversity and nature in a unique animation style.
When a cute kitten wakes up, everything is awash in water. There is not a person in sight. On a small boat, he must not only conquer his fear of water, but also learn to get along with other animals who survived the tsunami. Together they try to overcome their differences and adapt to this new, unfamiliar world.
Self-love conquers all in this award winning Czech animated film. Be transported by the characters, cool musical numbers and touching moments.
Ben is a carefree pupil and musician in a band. When the new school year starts, he falls madly in love with his classmate Claire. Ben throws himself into an intense diet to get her attention. In the end, Ben learns that it doesn't matter how you look, but it matters how you feel.
After the phenomenal and award winning Ma vie de Courgette, Swiss director Claude Barras comes up with a new stop-motion gem. This time he takes an interest in the fate of the jungle, making everyone support conservation — and cute orangutans.
Kéria lives with her father on the edge of the jungle in Borneo, when her cousin Selaï comes from the jungle to live with them for a while. When Kéria finds a baby orangutan, they want to nurse it together in order to release the monkey into the jungle later. But the jungle is under threat from large logging companies. Kéria and Selaï go all out to protect the environment and their family.
→ Claude Barras / France, Switzerland & Belgium / 87’ / 2024
→ Flemish spoken, no subtitles / French spoken, Dutch subtitles
→ Contact: Liza Brandt (JEF)
Totem
A valuable entry point to work around fleeing, newcomers, illegality and finding your roots.
A giant porcupine comes to the rescue of a girl in this imaginative thriller and refugee drama all in one.
A great crowdpleaser about falling in love, staying true to yourself and dancing, dancing, dancing!
Mina really wants to fit in with the cool kids in school. And she most certainly wants to impress the popular hip hop dancer E.D.Win. With the help of her headstrong granny, Mina challenges herself to compete in a dance contest. Through the rehearsals, audition and the smashing final show, Mina learns to love herself.
→ Aurora Gossé / Norway / 92’ / 2023
→ Norwegian spoken, Dutch subtitles
→ Contact: Liza Brandt (JEF)
North Sea - nature untamed
De wilde Noordzee
DOCUMENTARY
A beautifully made nature-documentary, narrated by Arnout Hauben. This fascinating journey into the unexplored underwater world of the North-Sea reveals a surprisingly rich ecosystem that will surely spark wonder in your students. Plenty of material to continue the conversation in the classroom, touching on biology, climate change, and our own impact on the environment.
Most Flemish people only know the North Sea from going to the beach. Filmmaker and undersea camera man Peter van Rodijnen takes you with him on an adventure to the wondrous world below sea level, and shows the unstoppable natural forces in all their glory. Simultaneously, he shows how
one of the most crowded seas in the world and nature are at odds. From plankton to giant sharks, from seals to orca’s, and from the Dutch shores to the Nordic fjords.
→ Mark Verkerk / Belgium, the Netherlands, United Kingdom & Norway / 89’ / 2025
→ Flemish spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Anneleen Naudts (Dalton Distribution)
I accidentally wrote a book Véletlenül
írtam egy könyvet
Hoe ik per ongeluk een boek schreef
A light-hearted and sensitive comingof-age film about the power of stories. Take your pupils on a unique journey through the life of a young aspiring writer. An accessible and inspiring exploration of wonder, role models and identity.
Twelve-year-old Nina wants to be a writer, but she's not sure what her book should be about. So... she just starts writing about herself. As she writes, Nina discovers her family history and her own unresolved feelings about the loss of her mother. Through the healing power of her pen, she works through arguments with her brother, experiences her first love, and grows up.
→ Nóra Lakos / The Netherlands & Hungary / 98’ / 2024
→ Dutch spoken, Dutch subtitles
→ Contact: Liza Brandt (JEF)
Inside Out 2
This inventive sequel to Inside Out explores the confusing emotions of a teenager, such as embarrassment and insecurity. The main character's experiences seem simple, but a glimpse into her inner world shows how complex it can feel to be a teenager. In the classroom, this relatable film offers plenty of inspiration for discussions about puberty and embracing both positive and negative experiences.
Riley, the main character from the Pixar hit Inside Out, is now thirteen years old. Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust, the primary residents of Riley's mind headquarters, suddenly have to make room for new emotions. The arrival of Anxiety in particular turns everything upside down.
→ Kelsey Mann / United States / 96’ / 2024
→ Flemish spoken, no subtitles
→ Contact: Véronique Leclercq (Disney)
Ket & Doc 2026
COMPETITION
Every year, VAF, Ketnet and JEF support the production of five documentaries for children. You will see them for the first time at the Youth Film Festival!
→ Different directors / Belgium / 60’ / 2026
→ Dutch spoken, Dutch subtitles
→ Check page 28 for everything on Ket & Doc 2026
Lampie Lampje
EARCATCH
Super atmospheric film adaptation of the acclaimed children's book by Annette Schaap, which quickly became a worldwide classic. In the magical story about the friendship between a courageous nautical child and a mermaid boy, everyone is special. The unique costumes, dark visual effects and compelling music are a feast for fans of Tim Burton, Lemony Snicket and... Lampie herself of course!
Lampie lives with her father Augustus in the lighthouse. He sends her up every evening to light the torch. One tempestuous day, everything goes wrong: the matches run out, the fire fails and a large ship crashes against the rocks. Lampie is sent away from home and has to go to work in the infamous Black House, where, as everyone knows, a monster lives.
Conquer the (young) hearts of your students with this sparkling, feel good film about first love. With a laugh, a tear, and some swinging schlagers, they will come along on the emotional journey of Elias, who falls head over heels for his neighbour boy. Perfect inspiration for animated group discussions about exploring your identity, falling in love, and coming out.
Elias feels attracted to his new neighbour boy, Alexander. He quickly realises that he is in love for the first time. He tries to understand his blossoming feelings in an emotional rollercoaster, all without giving anything away to his friends and family. But does he deserve Alexander’s heart?
→ Anthony Schatteman / Belgium & the Netherlands / 97’ / 2024
→ Flemish spoken, Dutch subtitles
→ Contact: Pascale Devreese (KFD)
BXL
Immerse yourself and your class in a conversation about prejudice, racism, police violence and growing up as a person of colour in Brussels. This compelling directorial debut by BelgianMoroccan brothers Ish and Monir Ait Hamou tells a universal story about brotherly love and resilience in the face of adversity. Follow up with a discussion about society's expectations and how they shape personal ambitions and dreams.
Tarek is a talented kickboxer and is given a unique opportunity to break through internationally. He hopes that this chance could offer a better future for himself, his mother, and his twelve-year-old brother, Fouad. However, to realise his dreams in a city like Brussels, he must contend with prejudice, violence, and radicalisation.
→ Ish Ait Hamou & Monir Ait Hamou / Belgium / 113’ / 2024
→ French spoken, Dutch subtitles
→ Contact: Katrien Volders (Paradiso)
Souleymane's story L'histoire de Souleymane
This perfectly paced thriller invites students to step into the life of Souleymane, a likeable bike courier. This atypical refugee story looks with great empathy at the constant pressure faced by undocumented people every day. A call for compassion, and a compelling starting point for classroom assignments and group discussions on migration and human rights.
After a dangerous journey from Guinea, Souleymane ends up in Paris. Without residency papers, he is barely surviving as a delivery guy. While rushing through the busy streets on his bike, Souleymane is preparing for the crucial meeting with the immigration service that will change his life. He is frantically rehearsing his story. Only, it’s not his own story.
→ Boris Lojkine / France / 94’ / 2024
→ French spoken, Dutch subtitles
→ Contact: Henk Cluytens (September Film)
EARCATCH
EARCATCH
Sisterhood (HLM Pussy)
In her moving debut film, director Nora El Hourch depicts the Parisian suburbs as a dynamic place full of energetic young people. She subtly but effectively addresses cultural differences and the potential dangers of social media. The girls' diverse choices provide an engaging starting point for classroom debate. A wonderful tribute to friendships that transcend disagreements.
Three friends face public outrage when they spread a video on social media revealing the identity of an attacker.
→ Nora El Hourch / France & Morocco / 101’ / 2023
→ French spoken, Dutch subtitles
→ Contact: Anne Bontinck (MOOOV)
Holy cow Vingt Dieux
A cheerful French film that will have your students laughing out loud, while also exploring meaningful themes. With its lively atmosphere and charming main character, it provides a natural starting point for classroom discussions about grief, first love, and taking responsibility.
Eighteen-year-old Totone spends most of his time drinking beer and partying with his friends. But reality is catching up to him; he has to find a way to take care of himself and his seven-year-old sister. His solution? Making the best Comté cheese in the Jura mountains, winning a gold medal in the farming competition, and getting €30.000.
→ Louise Courvoisier / France / 92’ / 2024
→ French spoken, Dutch subtitles
→ Contact: Katrien Volders (Paradiso)
En fanfare
A heartwarming French comedy about class differences, solidarity, and the unifying power of music. Take your class on an emotional journey with two brothers who get to know each other as adults. Both are equally talented musicians, but they start out in life from very different places. A funny and moving story that explores a range of social themes.
Thibaut is an internationally renowned conductor who lives a life of luxury. When he falls ill, he has to find a bone marrow donor and discovers that he is adopted and has a brother. His brother Jimmy works in a school cafeteria, and at first glance, the two have nothing in common. Except... a talent for music.
→ Emmanuel Courcol / France / 103' / 2024
→ French spoken, Dutch subtitles
→ Contact: Julie Vanderkelen (Cinéart)
Film in hospital
JEF wants to give all kids the opportunity to experience Youth Film Festival Antwerp. That’s why we stream short and feature films selected from the participating countries, so kids with limited mobility can enjoy them from the comforts of their bed. Accompanying every film, they can watch and/or play a variety of extras. The children can rate every short film in competition and the one rated the highest wins the Film in hospital award.
The online platform consists of a curated selection of over 80 films. The 11 films below are in competition for the Film in hospital award:
Wolfie Vlček
→ See page 23
The night boots
Les Bottes de la nuit Nachtlaarzen
→ See page 23
Little Story Klein verhaal
→ See page 23
When I get rich Als ik later rijk ben
→ See page 23
Kiki and Bouba - A peachy story
Kiki i Bouba: Brzoskwiniowa historia
Kiki, Bouba en de perfecte perzik
→ See page 23
Peninsula
Presqu’îles
→ See page 23
Autokar
Op de bus
→ See page 27
Everything we missed Všetko, čo sme nestihli
Wat hebben we gemist?
→ See page 27
Spark Chispa Vonk
→ See page 27
Ma Doi, hungry ghost
Ma Đói
Ma Doi, geest met honger
→ See page 27
Murmuration Zwermen
→ See page
A project of JEF in cooperation with Croatian Kids meet Art, Swedish BUFF International Children and Young People's Festival, the Italian Il Nuovo Fantarca, the Spanish Packmagic, the Slovenian Kinodvor, the Greek Neaniko Plano and the German Schlingel Film Festival. AZ Sint-Lucas Gent, UZA, AZ Delta, ZNA Paola Kinderziekenhuis, AZ Voorkempen, UZ Leuven, AZ Groeninge Kortrijk, ZAS Palfijn, AZ Oostende, AZ Sint-Elisabeth Zottegem, SintTrudo Ziekenhuis Sint-Truiden, AZ Klina, AZ Sint-Jan Brugge, ZAS UKJA (Universitaire Kinder- en Jeugdpsychiatrie Antwerpen), Bednet, vzw Kleine tijger and the support of the European Commission.
www.jeugdfilmfestivalantwerpen.be/en/industry.
05/02
Dig it up
Dig It Up returns on 5 February 2026! The place where creativity, digital technology and media meet. Expect a day full of interactive sessions, surprising workshops and inspiring speakers.
→ Dig It Up is a collaboration between Mediawijs, JEF, De Ambrassade, Publiq, VVBAD and FARO
10/02
Exhibitor’s day
JEF's annual exhibitor's day during Youth Film Festival Antwerp.
In the morning, you can attend interesting practical cases that focus on accessibility in film and film education. In the afternoon, JEF presents its brand new selection and offers an exclusive look at a new children’s film. Meanwhile, you can get a taste of the festival atmosphere, experiment in the XL-Medialab, and play with our most recent installations.
12/02
GameStorm V - Play & Connect
Since 2021, our annual Gamestorm has grown into an event that is clearly marked on the calendar. It is the meeting place for creative professionals from the gaming and film industries.
Under the motto ‘play & connect’, we will once again unleash our inner child in the XL-Medialab, which is full of new games, installations, VR, and other audiovisual experiments. Afterwards, we will gather in the festival café for a drink, an informal show & tell, and a networking moment.
And for the festive fifth edition, we have an extra cherry on top. Four, in fact, in the form of these short, inspiring talks:
→ Ives Agemans, founder and manager of Cyborn, reveals some of the failures he encountered on his way to global success
→ Laura Herrewijn, Game UX expert and researcher at AP University College, will give useful tips for a successful user test
→ Game designers Mano Marichal and Jonathon Mayes will talk about their brand-new co-working game hub in Antwerp
→ And multidisciplinary artist Sine Özbilge will tell us all about her VR poem Cathex
→ GameStorm is an initiative of Poppins & Wayne, Antwerp Powered By Creatives, VAF Gamefonds & JEF
19/02
Children’s pitches
Eight exclusively selected projects (in scenario phase) will be presented to a panel of children or teenagers. Sitting together with a young focus group grants the makers a unique insight into their own story.
19/02
Industry talk: 7 years Ket & Doc - looking back, looking forward
A look back on seven years of Ket & Doc. This project by Ketnet, VAF, and JEF supports the annual production of five short youth documentaries. During the talk, we will analyze festival selections, special screenings, international collaborations, and impact projects. After all, many Ket & Doc films have followed an inspiring trajectory that can serve as an example. Ket & Doc participants from previous editions will be here to tell us more about this.
Taking the floor:
-> Lauranne Van den Heede (director of Radio Felix - Ket & Doc 2020)
-> Sarah Lederman (director of LichtKet & Doc 2022)
-> Jip Heijenga (director of Leonie, Skeet en de biggen - Ket & Doc 2023)
-> Martijn D'haene (documentary maker and founder of production company Het Peloton - Hannah & De Krokodil - Ket & Doc 2024) The future is filled with possibilities!
After that, director and film teacher Martijn Blekendaal will tell us everything about the latest version of his manifesto on youth documentaries.
→ This talk is a collaboration with deAuteurs, with support from Creative Europe MEDIA Desk – Vlaanderen.
Practical information
Accessibility
We make the festival as accessible as possible. Most of the festival locations are wheelchair accessible. These are clearly marked with an icon on our website.
For some films the Subcatch app (for deaf and hard of hearing people) and the Earcatch app (for blind and visually impaired people) are available. This is always mentioned on the website.
Detailed information on accessibility can be found on our website at 'Practical > Locations and accessibility'. If you still have questions, please contact us or the festival venue by email.
→ JEF brings quality children's and youth films to theatres and streaming platforms as a distributor.
→ JEF develops lesson packs, educational material, workshops and training under the banner JEF with the class.
→ JEF stimulates film and game literacy among children and young people with projects such as Film in hospital, Les in beeld, Ket & Doc and Focus French Film.
JEF’S MISSION
A diverse range of youth films broadens the perspective of children and young people. This offers them opportunities to better determine the world they want to live in. That is why JEF makes youth film available to exhibitors and ensures visibility and accessibility to a wide and diverse audience, at schools and in leisure time.
Due to its active role in network organisations, JEF is the youth film contact for policy makers and the (inter) national film industry. At JEF, children and young people find a place to create, experience and critically review film together. For and by youngsters is one of the central mottos throughout the JEF organisation.
WHAT IS A JEF FILM?
JEF is the guide for high-quality children’s films. JEF’s interpretation of the word “high-quality” includes the following:
We provide films for all ages: from toddlers to teenagers and young adults. This does not mean that our films are only interesting for children. It is important to JEF that everyone can enjoy our films, both young and old.
We do not want to patronise children. They can also handle topics that the mainstream culture and media barely deal with. To us, children’s films are not only films that are initially meant for young people, but in particular films that will be interesting for a young audience without age limit.
We are constantly looking for a great diversity in genres, formats, themes and styles that will surprise and challenge this wide-ranging target audience. Despite the fact that the variety of our films depends highly on international production, we are still striving for a balance between animation and live action, fiction and documentary, drama and comedy, short film and feature film...
In addition, it is important to us that not only our films are varied, but that they also appeal to a diverse audience.
We look for films with relevant and current topics that are in line with the daily experience of a diverse audience, topics that broaden their world view and give the audience the opportunity to decide what world they want to live in. Films that deal with original topics are refreshing to us. We select films that preferably avoid stereotypes and that aim for sufficient gender diversity, both for the characters and for the creators.
The selection of our films always complements or reinforces the market: we bring films to an audience with the goal to broaden the existing supply on the market. We also support films from other distributors that fit into our vision, by bringing them to a broader audience through a deepening film experience.
We strongly focus on offering and programming European films. However, we also like to keep up with the productions of other continents. By means of our international network and thorough market prospection we stay on top of things.
We are looking for films with a trademark from the author: to us, the desire to make the film, the authenticity and the craftsmanship of the filmmaker outweigh the commercial potential or the size of the production. For these reasons, we closely follow the path of some filmmakers that we want to keep connecting to our organisation. Especially Flemish filmmakers who engage in making films for a young target audience. In this way we lay the foundations for a tradition that we can keep building on.
JEF’S FILM AND GAME LITERACY: THE MODEL
JEF uses film and games to awaken the critical, cultural, creative and socio-emotional competencies of children and young people. These competencies are important, especially in our mediatized and image-oriented society. We bundle our vision on this in our model Film and game literacy.
F I LM & GAMELITERACY
film & games
With this model we want to inspire you. It gives you insight into how we work and hands you tools to stimulate film and game literacy in children and young people — as a teacher, parent or supervisor in youth work. In this way you can build together with JEF on the creative and resilient attitude of children and young people.
WHY?
Media is woven into your everyday lives. We use media to learn, to work, to play, to communicate and to relax. According to communications scientist Mark Deuze, we therefore not live with, but in media.
Our mediatised society provides a continuous stream of images. These images come our way via broadcasters and algorithms. But we are not only consumers of images. Today, everyone carries around a camera and can create media.
This relatively new situation creates challenges in the education of younger generations. Not only to fortify them against the dangers of these media. But especially to explore how they can relate to these media in a positive, healthy and creative way.
FOCUS ON FILM & GAMES
JEF once started with a focus on film literacy, but we are now expanding this to games as well. After all, film and games share the unique and powerful combination of moving image, sound and language.
→ Film and games are forms of art, but are also used in entertainment, journalism and social media.
→ Both media share many techniques in the production process.
→ They both have a great impact on the recipient. They hold up a mirror and can lead to greater understanding and empathy. They can guide our view and form opinions. Therefore, it is important to teach a healthy critical attitude.
JEF focuses on film and games in various appearances and genres.
Film: live action, documentary, animated film, vlog, propaganda, VR film, etc.
Game: platformer, puzzle, VR game, action, strategy, RPG, co-op, etc.
HOW DOES JEF WORK TO SELECT AND PROGRAM GAMES?
The model focuses on five elements of film and games:
THE STORY.
What is it about? What is the creator's view of the subject? Who are the characters? In what sociocultural, historical or political setting is this film set?
THE CINEMATIC IMAGERY.
How do I interpret this scene? What is the visual style? What do the graphics look like? What impact does the editing or any cutscenes have on the viewer? What significance does the use of color take on? Does the consistency of cinematic choices convey a particular vision?
THE PROCESS.
Who is on the set? What tasks are to be divided? What happens after shooting? What steps must I take to make a game or film? How will the film/game be distributed? Where can I find interesting films/games?
THE TECHNIQUES.
How are visual effects created? How do you handle a camera? How does the stop-motion animation technique work? How is the gameplay? How is the code of the game written? How is the audio put together?
THE INTERACTION.
How do you interact with other players or with the virtual world? Do you experience the game from first-person, second-person, third-person, top-down or isometric? How do you experience the movie?
FILM MODE AND GAME MODE COMPETENCIES
Games and films hold up a mirror through which we look at ourselves, each other and the world. They are powerful media that guide and expand our view. They challenge us to be critical and resilient and stimulate our creativity. For example, they can even encourage us to make our own films or games.
In short, with film and games, JEF works on four types of competencies:
1. CRITICAL COMPETENCIES
❶ You appreciate films and games as forms of art and communicate media, and you can analyze them according to content and technical components.
❷ You can reflect on the vision of the creator, and you can test this against your own frame of reference.
❸ You reflect on the impact that certain technical choices have on the viewer/gamer.
❹ You know where to find and consult legal films and games.
❺ You can give a personal and well-founded opinion about a film or a game, and you are open to the opinions of others.
2. CREATIVE COMPETENCIES
❶ You gain insight into visual language and learn to master it.
❷ You can develop your own ideas. You can make expressive, creative and problem-solving choices.
❸ You know the production process of films and games, and apply it in practice.
❹ You share knowledge so that you can make/play a film or game together.
❺ You dare to experiment with different tools to make a film or game.
3. CULTURAL COMPETENCIES
❶ You are open to different forms and genres, and you can choose from them.
❷ You develop greater cultural awareness by being open to the specific cultural context of the film/ game, and you gain knowledge about these themes.
❸ You increase your empathy with an open attitude, and you can be touched by the film or game.
❹ You can articulate your own context and cultural background in relation to that of the film and/or game.
❺ You are open to and you can relate to other people's reflections on the film and game.
4. SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL COMPETENCIES
❶ You develop your socio-emotional skills (e.g. listening, negotiating, planning, persuading, motivating, ...).
❷ You can cooperate, communicate and make connections with others (online and offline).
❸ You share your knowledge with others and you listen to others.
❹ You can express the emotions that the film/game evokes, and you can reflect on this.
❺ You can share your own film/game in a media savvy way.
CONCLUSION
JEF thus wants to use film and games to stimulate competences that enable children and young people
→ to look critically and reflect
→ to shape their own ideas visually and creatively
→ to be aware of the cultural context
→ and to sharpen their social-emotional skills.
Calendars
Antwerp / Antwerpen
Peutercinema: Danskriebels (1,5+)
Peutercinema: Op reis met Ellie de olifant (1,5+)
Ouder-kind workshop Kleurenzoekers (4→6)
XL-Medialab (6+)
LUMIÈRE ANTWERPEN
Charlie! (3+)
Peutercinema: Vrij als een vogel (1,5+)
Guests
Nominated
Selection young programmers
Peutercinema: Danskriebels (1,5+)
Ouder-kind workshop Kleurenzoekers (4→6)
Ket & Doc 2026 (9+) ���� ���� Olivia (8+)
Ket & Doc 2026 (9+) ����
DIN 17/02
LUMIÈRE ANTWERPEN DE CINEMA
KINEPOLIS ANTWERPEN
HETPALEIS
SCHOUWBURG DE KERN
BLIKFABRIEK
ZUIDERPERSHUIS
LUMIÈRE ANTWERPEN DE CINEMA
HETPALEIS
BLIKFABRIEK FOMU FILMHUIS KLAPPEI
LUMIÈRE
CINEMA RIX
VR-cinema: De kleine muis die iemand wil worden (9+) VR-cinema: Reis naar het onbekende (9+)
VR-cinema: Reis naar het onbekende (9+)
VR-cinema: De kleine muis die iemand wil worden (9+) ���� Miss Moxy (5+) Pol de piratenmuis en het verdwenen schip (4+) Bijzondere vrienden (6+) Dancing queen in Hollywood (9+) ����
Ouder-kind workshop DIY drive-in cinema (6→9)
Peutercinema: Vrij als een vogel (1,5+)
Peutercinema: Danskriebels (1,5+)
Workshop Gamejam: 2-daagse (9→12)
XL-Medialab (6+)
Verhalen uit de magische tuin (6+) ����
Ouder-kind workshop DIY drive-in cinema (6→9)
Peutercinema: Op reis met Ellie de olifant (1,5+)
Peutercinema: Vrij als een vogel (1,5+)
De jongen aan het einde van de wereld (8+) ���� Pol de piratenmuis en het verdwenen schip (4+)
VR-cinema: Reis naar het onbekende (9+) Dolfje weerwolfje (6+) Olivia (8+) ����
VR-cinema: De kleine muis die iemand wil worden (9+)
Workshop Theaterfilmweek: 5-daagse (7→9)
VR-cinema: De kleine muis die iemand wil worden (9+)
VR-cinema: Reis naar het onbekende (9+)
VR-cinema: Reis naar het onbekende (9+) Miss Moxy (5+)
Meneer Papier ziet het groots (3+) ���� De Mini's (5+) ���� Olivia (8+)
Workshop Maak je eigen animatiefilm: 5-daagse (8→12)
Anke Brouwers, Alice Goezu, Birte Recour, Catho Van Coillie, Cedric Oosterlynck, Elfi De Vos, Daphné De Weirt, Iris Verhoeven, Ivan Van Asch, Jade van der Moere, Janne Termonia, Jente De Bruyne, Karo Guetens, Karolien Van Helden, Kevin De Ridder, Laura De Bruyn, Liza Brandt, Loes Welkenhuysen, Marie Keustermans, Marjolein Fransen, Mirjam Bromundt & Roos Schoorel
Interns
Amber Gauvreau-Gagnon, Anke Van Marcke, Astrid Verholen, Axelle Daem, Daniela Sarah Tsoy, Dominica De Rieck, Emma Breugelmans, Emma Weststrate, Ewout Verbist, Gitte Vandenbroeck, Hannes Van Driessche, Jitse Yzermans, Kiera van Roy, Kubra Cuypers, Linde Meynendonckx, Lisa Bresseleers, Lotte Demeulenaere, Marieke Degrande, Mauro Plovier, Mavis Noëz, Max Brown, Merel Wulteputte, Nohre Brigitte Albertijn, Quinten Matthyssen, Rio Deloose, Roselien De Reys, Rune Boes, Sarah Fuchs, Skye Wuyts, Tessa Ruymbeek, Warre Van Schepdael, Xavier Ressier & Zita Van Dijck
Executive board members
Filip Baeyens, Geert Torfs, Geert Vandermeersche, Jill Vanparys, Kasper Geeroms, Katelijne Morreel, Laetitia Nsiona, Les Van Stappen, Mieke Vanderhaeghen, Monique Ruinen, Sofie Wanten, Steven Duyver, Tine Van Kerkhoven, Tom Van de Velde & Wout Vandersteene
Volunteers
Adeel Huyse, Ans Van Geel, Camille De Keyser, Camille Vermeire, Cato Coppens, Cherry Novas, Chiel Orens, Emma Vingerhoets, Fleur Debusschere, Gloria Piedfort, Hannah Matthys, Immelien Ceulemans, Ine Maris, Inna Cordy, Jonathan Michiels, Lise droogne, Loranne Van Put, Lotte Engels, Malou Dehaudt, Merel Loos, Olivia Leonard, Robbe Cappaert, Roos Coninx, Sara Capponi, Shaun Rosbach, Sien De Clerck, Sofie Moortgat, Victor Van Moer, Viktor Stuyck, Yana Mertens & Yenthe Geudens
Student workers
Abdul Bance, Antonia Luyten, Dante Beyens, Emmanuela Ayim, Gabriella Nicole Alexandrov, Hanne Van Der Zijp, Hiba Toma, Jasper Kerckhof, Khadija Taimounti, Lamia Makhout, Lana Haast, Leon Leudy de Jesus Figueroa, Maïmouna Jalloh, Merel Loos, Mette Tits, Mohamed-Jan Jalloh, Nisrine Yahia, Pili Navarro Verhoeven, Raihana Ahmad, Robin Van Peel, Salma Azeroual, Sara Sbabti, Sterre Vandercappellen, Tristan Navarro Verhoeven, Tuur Kerckhof, Vince Fredeus, Yazan Shurrab & Ymke Grootaert
Subsidiaries
VAF (Flemish Audiovisual Fund), City of Antwerp, Creative Europe MEDIA, Flemish Government, City of Bruges, City of Ghent and Ghent culture.
Sponsors
Tentoo, Creative Europe MEDIA desk, Jimmy's, Outpost Gamecenters, Filmtechniek, Motel One
Media partners
De Standaard, KETNET and Knack
Partners & logistical support
Zuiderpershuis, Lumière Antwerpen, Schouwburg De Kern, Cinema Rix, Cinema Cartoon’s, De Cinema, Kinepolis Antwerpen, hetpaleis, MAS/Museum aan de stroom, Filmhuis Klappei, FOMU/Fotomuseum Antwerpen, Blikfabriek, Lumière Brugge, De Republiek, Stedelijk Conservatorium Brugge, Sphinx cinema, Cine Rio/De Koer, KOPERGIETERY Rabot, Kinepolis Gent, Kunstencentrum BUDA, Cultuurcentrum De Spil, Cinema ZED, Cultuurhuis
Jan Tervaert, VGFB, BOZAR, ECFA, Devine, Bednet, Mediawijs, Publiq, De Ambrassade, VVBAD, FARO, De Auteurs, Universiteit Antwerpen, Uitpas Gent, Uitpas Brugge, Poppins & Wayne, APBC, WAAG futurelab, Gamehive, Festival Digital, Coccolarte, REKKER, Wonderspun, JADA & Filmtechniek
Scenography
Reinout Hiel
Translations and subtitling
Niki Proost, Skye Wuyts, Rio Deloose & Anke Van Marcke
