Cinekid Festival 2024 opens with the world premiere of Benjamin Bat

Cinekid Festival 2024 opens with the world premiere of Benjamin Bat

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.

About Benjamin Bat

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.

“Benjamin Bat is a true Cinekid film; Benjamin chooses his own path with his unique style. Everyone is welcome in this film, an important message in these times when individuality is key, and we are often at odds with each other rather than with each other. Benjamin Bat is an eye-catching Dutch animated film with international appeal.”
- Heleen Rouw, Cinekid Festival Director

About the production

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.

Ticket sales for Cinekid Festival 2024 will start on 30 September.