_{The Smile by Erik van Schaaik}

Short Films in Competition

The Smile*, directed by Erik van Schaaik and produced by Pedri Animation, was selected for festivals such as Cinamina, Anima Brussels and Fantasporto. When Knud comes to America, he is only a young crocodile. With his irresistible crocodile-grin, Knud becomes the king of horror movies. His films – in which he plays sexy villains who devour scantily clad ladies – are worldwide hits, and fans all dream of being eaten by Smiley. Knud’s luck changes when he is linked to the disappearances of several young actresses. One lawsuit after another. Knud's empire begins to crumble, and eventually Knud's smile disappears for good. His career, as well as his life, comes to a sad end. Knud was never convicted.

Dutch minority co-production Box Cutters* is directed by Naomi van Niekerk and co-produced by Valk Productions. A young woman remembers a day that she was attacked by three gang members on her way home, but she is strong and manages to escape. During the act of flight, a series of scenes unfold, linked by fluid transitions and expressive details situated between reality and dream. The trauma of the event is remembered, leaving its traces, yet everyday life has to follow its course.

The Miracle, a place where the sun always shines, with endless opportunities to relax and food in abundance. It’s late already when Irma checks in at the resort. As she explores the area the next morning, she quickly comes to realise that everything there is designed to facilitate families. Irma fully immerses herself in the world of the all-inclusive resort. But how do you relate to a place that constantly confronts you with the things you don’t have? The Miracle is a Dutch minority co-production directed by Nienke Deutz and co-produced by Keplerfilm.

Short Films Off-Limits in Competition

Menno and Paul de Nooijer's Is Heaven Blue? #2 is coproduced by Françoise de Nooijer's Tri-Eye and Norwegian producer Trollfilm. Time leaves its mark on the bodies of the three De Nooijers, mother, father and son. This is a farewell to their oeuvre, the result of fifty years of making art and living together marked by photography, animation and film. Distribution is handled by Eye Experimental.

Graduation Films in Competition

Selected for Kaboom and Go Short, Shuffle* by Quita Felix will also screen in Annecy. The lives of three colourful apartment dwellers get shaken up when one of them loses his tap dance shoe. The unfortunate tap dancer begins a quest to find his missing shoe, but his chaotic search does not go unnoticed. He leaves his mark in the apartment building in sound as well as in the design. Slowly but surely connections start to form between the various spaces and characters.

TV Films in Competition

Hideous Henk - Episode 3 is directed by Junaid Chundrigar and produced by Family Affair Films. Henk, an ugly and angry Chihuahua, is overexcited when he finally gets adopted. When it turns out his new boss only wants to use him to get more instagram followers, Henk tries desperately to escape. But every attempt he makes to escape only makes him more popular.

True Queer Stories Programme

I Love Hooligans* is directed by Jan Dirk Bouw and produced by seriousFilm. In I Love Hooligans, a football hooligan feels unconditional love for his club. However, being gay, he has to hide his identity. Sales are handled by SND Films.

For more information on Annecy, click here.
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*Film is supported by the Netherlands Film Fund