Still: Wander to Wonder - Nina Gantz

Victoria Warmerdam's I'm Not a Robot* (Prod. OAK Motion Pictures) is part of the festival's European Competition, a healthy mix of live action fiction films, animated films and documentaries. The film about feminist Lara set out to answer the disturbing question of whether she's a robot, celebrated its international premier at Sitges International Film Festival where Warmerdam was awarded with Best Short Film in the Official Fantastic Selection, followed by selections for among others Winterthur Short Film Festival and Leeds International Film Festival. SEE NL interviewed the director before heading to Sitges.

Two Dutch titles are selected for the Flemish Competition Animation. Firstly, anarchic and satisfyingly subversive Wander to Wonder* by Nina Gantz (NL Co-Prod. Circe Film and Kaap Holland Film), which world premiered in the Orrizonti Shorts section at Venice Film Festival and continued its successful international festival run with the award for Best Short film at Seminci Valladolid International Film Festival and selections for Uppsala International Short Film Festival and Animateka International Animated Film Festival.

Secondly, The Miracle* by Nienke Deutz (NL Coprod. Kepler Film). Another festival favorite that had its international premier at Annecy International Animation Film Festival, followed by among others selections and awards at Chicago International Film Festival (Gold Hugo for Best Animated Short), Uppsala International Film Festival (Grand Prix) and Ottowa International Animation Fiestival (XPPen Award for Best Animation Technique). SEE NL spoke to both Nina Gantz and Nienke Deutz about their films. Sales and festival distribution for both Wander to Wonder and The Miracle are handled by Miyu Distribution.

Frederik Stuut & Maria Stuut's collaboration Seagulls Scream on the Weekend is included in the Flemish Competition Documentary. In this short documentary the Brussel based Dutch filmmakers follow the rhythms of the water, the boat, the human and the seagull that are entangled in the tidal area of the Wadden Sea. Something as banal as the human week rhythm becomes a case of life and death for young seagulls. Festival selections include Tampere Film Festival and Drama International Short Film Festival. 

Out of competion programs
Animation Nations
The Creators (Madeleine Homan) 

Short Films For Children
The Chameleon* (Pim ter Braak)
The Fantastic Flying Competition (John Croezen)
Fox and Hare – Dragon (Mascha Halberstad, Tom van Gestel)
Picknick With Cake (Mascha Halberstad, Tom van Gestel)
Tipping Point (Bart de Piraat) 
Nobody* (Job, Joris en Marieke)

Into Space! Focus program
Drifter* (Joost Jansen)

For more info on the Short Film Festival Leuven, click here.

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*Film is supported by the Netherlands Film Fund