The no-budget short film ST*CK! had been nominated for the crime & thriller competition (13^TH STREET). Winners will be announced at the Dutch Film festival in Utrecht (September 28). The jury consists of Rutger Houwer, Monique van de Ven, Jean van de Velde, Jon Farrar, Robert Herman, Daniel Bergman, Doreen Boonekamp.

The jury will see the original cut. The one we prepared in a hurry, to be in time for the contest. The new cut (shall we call this a directors cut?) is even better!

Let's keep our fingers crossed.

In 2008 and 2009 we celebrate four centuries of Japanese-Dutch trade relations. Last week I was a special guest at the Kyoto Kinder Filmfest which was themed 'Holland', or, 'Honoranda' as the Japanese say. In 2005 VENT won first prize.

I had such a fantastic week in Kyoto. I made a lot of wonderful friends and I fell in love with the city and it's people. And I've enjoyed the best food ever!

Thank you Mizuguchi-san. (and thanks for sending the animation-stuff over to the hotel!)

Thank you Yukiko-san. You are a dear friend and I'm looking forward to seeing you at the Rotterdam film festival.

Thank you Nene-san. What a delight it was to meet you. I have no doubt that we'll meet again soon. Either in Horanda or Japanda, at a Doe Maar concert or at a Shintu Shrine. See you soon!

Thank you Ohyabu-san. What a great team we were, you being my interpreter. I particularly enjoyed the talks we had when we had a little time off. Thank you for your warm, helpful and delightful company.

Thank you kids-san! I mean Mayukah, Moury and all of you rascals. You've created a great show and were so much fun to be with. And a special hi to Hira. You rock! Regretfully I could not say goodbye to you.

Domo arigato gozaimashita! Sayonorah.

Erik

All work is done on Phantom Of The Cinema (POTC). The film is off to the laboratory. And I am off to a far away place with lots of sun. When I return we will have a great premiere party to send the film off on its trip around the world. I hope the audience will like it.

A website and a DVD is in the making, with lots of extra's. Soon...

Yesterday we had a big party. It was my 40th birthday. It was also the premiere party of our short film ST*CK! The audience loved it. And I loved the audience. And the food and drinks. And now I'm having a hangover. But I am a happy man!

We have shot our short fim, a thriller called ST*CK! It took one long day in the mosquito infested woods around Vlodrop, Limburg. We had a crew of five professionals. None of us got payed. That's right, we are talking 'no budget'. I have seldom seen so much enthusiasm, dedication. I thank all of them: Marco, Wendo, Titus and Ivo. I had a great time. And I still do, editing the shots. It all looks beautiful. And the film works very much as a thriller: Titus, your performance is creeping me out. I'm used to making pre-school television shows for crying out loud!

As soon as I finished the effect shots, the edit and the foley, we'll have a great premiere party to set this little gem off on it's journey around the world.

An interview with yours truly was shown on VPRO Cinema.nl (Wednesday 16 April, 23:50 Ned 3). I spoke of VENT, THE PHANTOM OF THE CINEMA and filmmaking in general. We're promoting the Dutch Animation Tour 2008. VENT is shown there. See the interview here.

 
This is going to be one hell of a thrill ride! 

We're kicking off yet another new series called THIS OR THAT. We are very excited! And on top of that one of our series is getting a Christmas special! More details soon.

Hot news! We'll start working on brand new episodes of the award winning series OUTSIDE! Let's hope this is going to be a good summer with lot's of sunny days.

KRO created this OUTSIDE trailer. How about that voice over, huh?

Short but sweet: OUTSIDE is nominated for the Prix de la Jeunesse 2008!

My showreel is online! A quick overview of work over the last 15 years:

OUTSIDE is doing well. Between the 4th and 10th of june it had the most viewers of Dutch childrens television! KRO says it's not the first time this happens.