Still: Thunderhead - Una Jongenelis

In the Documentary competition, Koki, Ciao directed by Quenton Miller has been selected. The film follows Koki, the famous talking cockatoo, and his life with Tito, the long-time president of Yugoslavia whose country residence was regularly frequented by political figures, dictators and movie stars. The short film celebrated its international premiere in Berlin 2025 and took home the CUPRA Filmmaker Award, followed by international festival selections including Jihlava International Documentary Film Festival and Montreal Festival du Nouveau Cinema, amongst many others.

Three short animations are present in the Animation competition. Murmuration* (NL title: Zwermen) by Janneke Swinkels and Tim Frijsinger. The short stop motion produced by Spotted Bird, tells the story of Piet, an elderly man in a care home. He gets restricted in his actions when he realizes he is suddenly turning into a bird. Even though he is still accepted within the group, Piet feels it is time to join a new swarm. Miyu is handling sales and festival distribution. It celebrated its international premiere Annecy last year where it won the First Film Award, following many international festival selections and awards, the latest being a Special Mention this month at ITFS Stuttgart. 

In Thunderhead, directed and produced by Una Jongenelis, a panic attack transforms a girl’s mind into a dark place where all logic seems to have vanished. The nightmare culminates when her fears materialize in a devastating cloud that is hot on her heels. She sinks into a downward spiral and realizes she needs to face her deepest fears to escape. Earlier this year, the film world premiered at IFFR and now celebrates its international premier at Mecal. 

And Dutch minority co-production Water Girl, directed by Sandra Desmazières (NL co-prod. Valk Productions).

Part of the Comedy session programme is Unreal Estate Agent* by Bodhi Le Belle, produced by Black Bee productions. When desperate starter Jos accidentally kills the real estate agent during a house visit, he will have to walk over dead bodies to get the property. Festival distribution is handled by Gorrilla Distribution.

In the Shortest shorts session is Lost and Found* by Sem Assink and Mieke Woestenburg. The Capybara Animation 3D production is about Ella, who works at a lost-and-found in a busy train station. From abandoned objects, she creates something extraordinary—inviting us to pause and wonder. Sales is handled by SND Films and festival distribution by Kaboom Distribution.

Dutch shorts are also highlighted in several programmes throughout this year’s festival that are part of the Dutch focus:

Netherlands Retrospective
Anita’s roedel (Marlies Smeenge, 2019)
Extrapolate* (Johan Rijpma, 2016)
Malaguti Phantom* (Sam de Jong, 2014)
My Silicone Love (Sophie Dros, 2015)
L’Été et Tout le Reste (Sven Bresser, 2018)
Lucid Dreaming* (Emma Evelein, 2023)
Lucy* (Evert de Beijer, 2015)
Suiker* (Jeroen Annokkee, 2010)
The Ballet of Service (Marlies Smeenge, 2020)
Tourist Trap* (Vera van Wolferen, 2020)

Especial Netherlands Film Academy
Januari (Jetske Lieber, 2024)
Paul and Paul (Hugo Dreschler, 2023)
Verlangen (Lotte Salomons, 2021)

Artist in Focus: Victoria Warmerdam
I’m Not a Robot* (Victoria Warmerdam, 2023)
Mustachio* (Victoria Warmerdam, 2021)
Short Calf Muscle* (Victoria Warmerdam, 2019)

Especial Festival Go Shorts
Between Delicate and Violent (Şirin Bahar Demirel, 2023)
Eyes on the Road* (Stefane Kolk, 2019)
Import* (Ena Sendijarević, 2016)
Wander to Wonder* (Nina Gantz, 2023)

Battle of Programmers
Heaven Will Wait (Silver Tjepkema, 2026)
Dog Bridge* (Jorn Leeuwrink, 2024)
Marleen (Job Leuven, 2024)
Punk Rocky (Folkert Verdoorn and Simon Becks, 2026)

Find more about the festival here.