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De Jeu: ‘The first day, Kaboom Camp, is dedicated to students. They get the chance to meet industry professionals, and have one-on-one meetings with various experts from the field. For example, there’s the ‘Directors Talk,’ where three creators from the Benelux share insights about their early careers. Students also have the chance to take the stage themselves and present themselves.
The second day, Kaboom PRO, is for the professionals, where Dutch and international industry professionals can connect and collaborate. This year, we’re welcoming many creators from Belgium, with a focus on the Benelux. There is a pitch session, where creators and producers from the Benelux pitch their ideas for series, shots, and feature films to the audience.’
Can you tell us more about the programme you’re curating?
De Jeu: ‘I’ve put together a programme from my personal film archive. These are old 16mm films: a format that wasn’t used in cinemas, but only in small film theaters, community centers, and businesses. It includes an English film about coal mines - an instructional film warning you about the dangers when mining coal. You rarely get to see such films, which makes them special.’
What is the role of festivals for short (animated) films?
De Jeu: ‘Nowadays, many creators make their way on YouTube, where they have successful channels with lots of fans. But the downside of that: you don’t truly connect with your audience. At a festival, that does happen. You get to hear how the audience responds and see how your film resonates with people. Plus, there are scouts in the audience looking for young talent and films for their own festivals.”
What are the latest trends in the world of animation?
De Jeu: ‘Hand-drawn animation is on the rise. And stop-motion techniques are getting popular among the younger generation. Since a significant part of their lives is happening on digital platforms, there’s a growing desire for tactility, physical materials and media.
Additionally, animation is increasingly applied to tell complex stories. Socially engaged films have always existed, but they were often limited to festival screenings or confined to institutional settings. Nowadays, they have a much broader reach.’
