FilmForward’s new Vrijplaats Animation is developed in collaboration with Kaboom Animation Festival and runs from September 2025 to March 2026. This Vrijplaats open call was open for professionals working within animation: the application window is closed, and candidates will hear more in June/July

Animation is everywhere. From experimental films to tv-streamers, in documentaries, fiction stories, virtual reality, XR, in commercials and art films and countless crossovers. You can find animation in galeries and museums, in science, education, and information channels.

The field is characterized by constant innovations, stimulated by artistic developments and technological advancements. This way the boundaries of animation are being explored, shifted, and probed. We see animation techniques more frequently in live action films and documentaries. Moreover, Dutch animation talent is seen in film and XR projects at festivals in Annecy, Cannes, and Venice. 

Application window is closed: candidates will hear more in June/July.

collective program (subject to change):

2025:

18 & 19 September: kick-off

8, 9 & 23 October: plenary sessions

4 & 11 December: plenary sessions

From mid December to mid January, and in February, we don’t organize meetings, but residents will work on their research question individually. At the end of the residency period we present your findings to the sector through a closing presentation where you can tell more about your project and research.

2026:

14, 15, 16 January: Hyve Mind Feedback Sessions

4 & 5 March: plenary sessions

End of March: closing presentations during Kaboom 2026

8 April: Final meeting – evaluations

Next to Kaboom Animation Festival 2026 we also visit other Kaboom events throughout the year, alongside festivals like IDFA and Imagine in November 2025 and IFFR in February 2026.

This program is a collaboration with Kaboom Animation Festival.