_{Okthanksbye by Nicole van Kilsdonk}

Children's Film Competition

Okthanksbye by Nicole van Kilsdonk world premiered at New York International Children's Film Festival (NYICFF) last week. Produced by Labyrint Film, Okthanksbye follows Jamie who is only just starting to get settled at her new boarding school for the deaf when she learns that her dear grandmother, the only other non-hearing member of her family, has landed in the hospital. When her family tells her there’s not enough time to pick her up in the Netherlands before heading to the hospital in Paris, Jamie is left feeling helpless. Imane, Jamie’s very new friend and classmate, sees her upset and suggests they secretly make the journey on their own. Together they face a scary clown, an abandoned mansion, a gibberish band, and much more on their trek from school through the French countryside.

Dutch minority co-production Sea Sparkle**, directed by Domien Huyghe and co-produced by Viking Film, world premiered at Berlinale's Generation Kplus where it received a special mention. Sales are handled by LevelK. In Sea Sparkle, a North Sea fisherman dies in mysterious circumstances at sea. His 12-year-old daughter Lena is determined to prove it was not an accident, but the work of a sea monster.

Short Film Competition

Luca Meisters' Magma* world premiered at Berlinale's Generation Kplus. The short is produced by IJswater Films. In Magma, the introverted but fiery Esra is having a hard time acknowledging the new reality of her father’s recent disability. At her new school she tells a lie that makes her pain and anger boil up to the surface.

World premiered at NYICFF, Outside by Wouter Keijzer follows ten-year old Fynn who has had enough of sitting indoors gaming: she wants to hang out outside like the tough scooter guys. Once she has her new Gucci cap it’s time. With two friends she goes to the hangout spot. Hanging out is harder than she thought. The short is produced by Bye Jane!.

_{Magma by Luca Meisters}

Additional Dutch Films in different programmes

Fur, directed by Madeleine Homan and produced by Thijme Grol, is screening in the Not Like The Rest programme. The animated short screened at many festivals such as, Ale Kino!, Uppsala International Short Film Festival, Cinanima, IndieJunior Porto and NYICFF. In Fur, a girl pursues a connection with her sister, who is covered by a strange grey fur. It is soft and uncanny at the same time. It grows between them, and they drift further apart from each other.

About Me screens in the Short Film Panorama section. The latest film by Ali Asgari tells the story about seventeen-year-old Fatima who, before her impending marriage, must get a certificate that proves that she’s a virgin. But she has a secret that could change everything. In 2017 director Ali Asgari was awarded with the Region Skane Short Film Prize at BUFF for his short film The Silence.

Dutch minority co-production Luce and the Rock*, directed by Britt Raes and co-produced by Studio Pupil, continues its successful festival run. Luce and the Rock is the story of two friends who, although they seem to have nothing in common, end up facing their fear of the unknown together.

For more information on BUFF, click here.
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*Film is supported by the Netherlands Film Fund
**Film is supported by the Netherlands Film Fund and Film Production Incentive