Cinekid Festival 2024 opens with the world premiere of Benjamin Bat

Amsterdam, June 26, 2024 - The 38th edition of Cinekid Festival opens on Sunday afternoon, October 20, in Pathé Amsterdam Noord with the world premiere of the animated film Benjamin Bat. Dutch actors; Soy Kroon can be heard as Benjamin, Stephanie van Eer is his bird friend Sherida and Fedja van Huêt lends his voice to Benjamin Bat’s father. Dutch distributor September Film will release the film in the Benelux.

The result of a collaboration between animation teams in the Netherlands and Luxembourg, Benjamin Bat tells the story of a little bat who, at first glance, doesn't seem very brave. He has a big problem, especially for a bat: He is afraid of the dark. His big brothers find him strange. They don't understand his sensitivity and his love of singing. Singing is for birds, and bats are their sworn enemies. One day, everything changes when Benjamin meets the fascinating tropical songbird Sherida. Benjamin will need all the courage he can muster to save his newfound friend and stand up for who he truly is.

Storytellers Film & TV (producers Errol Nayci and Julia Ton) and Zeilt Productions (co-producer Laurent Witz) are the producers of the film, in collaboration with il Luster. Avrotros (Dutch public broadcaster) is attached as a co-producer. The film is directed by Patrick Raats and co-directed by Sarah Sutter and written by Karen van Holst Pellekaan, based on a story she created with Errol Nayci. Arnoud Rijken and Michiel Snijders are the animation producers of il Luster. Director of photography Lennert Hillege advised on the shots and Peter Alderliesten was hired for the editing. Fons Merkies and Laurens Goedhart are responsible for the music and songs. The special story of Benjamin Bat comes to life by showing the animation partly in 3D and the background painted by the Capybara collection and the art directors of Moldybyrd. September Film releases Benjamin Bat in Dutch cinemas on October 23. The film was made possible with a contribution from: the Netherlands Film Fund, the Netherlands Production Incentive, CoBO, Luxembourg Film Fund and Creative Europe Media. Beta Film is the international sales agent.

Cinekid Festival is the largest media and film festival for children in the world and takes place during the autumn holidays from October 19 to November 3 in film theaters throughout the Netherlands, with the main location in Amsterdam-Noord. Premieres of (inter)national films and series are shown during the festival and there are daily master classes, workshops, and numerous activities such as meet & greets with the makers and actors. The program will be online from September 30. Ticket sales will then also start via cinekid.nl.

Cinekid wants to amaze, entertain, connect and contribute to the development of children into independent, conscious and well-thinking global citizens. To achieve this, Cinekid presents, produces, teaches and communicates with, through and about film and moving images in a language that reaches children. But Cinekid is also the international platform focused on children's film productions to increase the range and quality of film productions and connect the industry.

Cinekid Festival 2024 takes place during the autumn holidays throughout the Netherlands from October 19 to November 3, with Pathé Amsterdam Noord as the main location. The largest Cinekid MediaLab is also located here: no less than 1000 m2. The lab is open to the public from Saturday October 26 to November 1. In addition, there are eight national theaters that are 'satellite locations' with their own MediaLab.

Cinekid for Professionals takes place from October 29 - November 1.

Note to editors, not for publication

For interview requests, press cards or questions:

Cinekid
Manon de Weerd m.deweerd@cinekid.nl
+31 20 620 3354 of 06 817 90 714

September Film
Melissa van Middelaar publiciteit@septemberfilm.nl
+31 20 535 75 52