The Kaboom Animation festival,held in Amsterdam and Utrecht,Netherlands,wrapped up another year of celebrating animation as a powerful and disruptive art form. From march 26-31, 2025, the festival showcased a diverse range of animated shorts, features, and games, all centered around the theme of “Provocation.” But what does provocation mean in the context of animation,and why does it matter to American audiences?

Kaboom isn’t just another animation festival; it’s an experience. This year, attendees were greeted with “protest” placards promoting screenings, and the opening night featured an interactive installation where guests could virtually destroy a city. These aren’t just quirky additions; they’re intentional attempts to challenge audiences and spark conversations about the role of animation in reflecting and shaping our world.

Provocation: celebrating animation as a powerful medium for defiance, resilience, and transformation.

these choices, while seemingly unconventional, resonated deeply with many attendees, fostering an atmosphere of critical engagement and creative exploration. The festival actively encouraged participants to question established norms,explore challenging themes,and consider animation’s potential to drive social change.

Shorts Programs: Diving Deep into the Uncomfortable

Kaboom excels at curating short film programs around specific themes. This year’s lineup included titles like “Dateable or Relatable,” “punk It Louder,” “Your Yuck is My Yumm,” and “Bonkers Shorts.” These aren’t your average cartoon collections; they delve into complex and frequently enough uncomfortable topics with a unique, animated perspective.

One program that particularly stood out was “Your Yuck is My Yumm,” curated by Schmutz Cinema. This screening tackled sexual themes of shame, disgust, and consent. Following the screening, Linda Duits participated in a brief discussion with the audience.

The willingness to tackle sensitive topics head-on is what sets Kaboom apart. In a media landscape often sanitized for mass consumption, these short films offer a refreshing dose of honesty and vulnerability. This resonates particularly with younger American audiences who are increasingly seeking out content that reflects the complexities of modern life.

Another standout program was “Danger! Better safe Than Sorry,” featuring rarely seen 16mm public facts films. Kaboom curator Roloff de jeu, dressed as a health and safety officer, introduced the films with safety warnings. The shorts are from roloff’s personal collection.This added an element of humor, but it also highlighted how cultural norms and societal anxieties evolve over time.

Confronting Challenging Histories: The “Should We Screen This Old Racist Stuff?” Panel

Perhaps the most crucial event at Kaboom 2025 was the panel discussion,”Should We Screen This Old Racist Stuff?” this conversation directly addressed the complex issue of racial stereotypes in film and the ethical considerations of exhibiting perhaps offensive content. The panel explored questions of curation, trigger warnings, and how to acknowledge the problematic aspects of the past while still preserving past works. The general consensus among the panelists was:

Perhaps, in the correct context.

This is a conversation that’s particularly relevant in the U.S., where debates about historical depiction and cultural sensitivity are ongoing. Museums, film archives, and educational institutions across the country are grappling with how to present historical materials that contain racist or otherwise offensive content. Kaboom’s panel offered a valuable framework for navigating these challenges.

Feature Film Highlight: “Flavours of Iraq”

The documentary animation, “Flavours of Iraq” by Feurat Alani and Léonard Cohen, stood out as a powerful and moving exploration of Iraq’s tumultuous recent history. Told from Feurat’s perspective,the film covers the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein,the American occupation,and the rise of ISIS. The film received the Audience Award for Best Feature Film.

This film offers a crucial perspective on a region often misrepresented in Western media. Its use of animation allows for a nuanced and emotionally resonant portrayal of the human cost of conflict, offering American viewers a deeper understanding of the complexities of the Middle East.

Trailer for “Flavours of Iraq”

gaming and Animation: “Thank Goodness You’re Here”

Kaboom also featured a gaming area showcasing animated video games. One title, Thank Goodness You’re Here, developed by Coal Supper captivated festival-goers with its unique charm, Northern English humor and simple gameplay.

The inclusion of gaming highlights the blurring lines between animation and interactive entertainment. As the gaming industry continues to grow in the U.S., festivals like Kaboom play a vital role in showcasing the innovative ways animation is being used to create immersive and engaging experiences.

trailer for “Thank Goodness You’re Here”

Community and Connection: Nancy’s Winter Picnic and the Animation Pub Quiz

Beyond the screenings and panels, Kaboom fostered a strong sense of community through social events like Nancy’s Winter Picnic and the Animation Pub Quiz. These events provided opportunities for attendees to connect, share ideas, and build relationships.Nancy’s Winter Picnic featured a presentation with Nik and Nancy Denney-Phelps, where Anna Eijsbouts posed questions about Nancy’s life, career and festival adventures; all of which can be found in her book: On the Animation Trail: 20 Years of Animation Festival History.

The Animation Pub Quiz, hosted by Roloff de Jeu and Maarten van Gageldonk, was described as fun and very competitive. Such events are crucial for fostering a sense of belonging within the animation community and creating a supportive environment for emerging artists.

2025 Award Winners: Setting the Stage for the Future

kaboom 2025 recognized outstanding achievements in animation across various categories. The winners of the Best Animated Short Film and Best Animated Dutch Short are eligible for consideration for the Academy award® Short Film competition. The winners of Best short Film, Best Documentary, Best Jamie Bolio, Best VR, and Best Student Short will be going to the Annie Awards.

Award	Film	Director(s)
best VR	Project: Impulse: Playing with Reality	Barry Gene Murphy, May Abdalla
>. Archyde Exclusive: Exploring “Provocation” in Animation with dr.Anya Sharma, Animation Studies Scholar Interview by Elias Thorne, archyde News Editor April 16, 2025 The Kaboom Animation Festival 2025 recently concluded, leaving audiences buzzing with discussion about its central theme of “Provocation.” To delve deeper into this concept and its importance, especially for American audiences, Archyde news spoke with Dr. Anya Sharma, a leading scholar in Animation Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Understanding “Provocation” in Animation Elias Thorne: Dr. Sharma, thank you for joining us. Kaboom’s focus on “Provocation” is intriguing. In your view, what makes animation such a potent medium for challenging audiences and exploring complex themes? Dr. Anya Sharma: Thank you for having me. animation, by its very nature, allows for a level of abstraction and inventiveness that live-action often can’t achieve. It can visualize the unfeasible, the surreal, the uncomfortable. This ability to transform reality makes it a powerful tool for provocation. It can confront viewers with ideas and perspectives in ways that are both striking and memorable. The American Outlook Elias Thorne: How does this resonate with American audiences,who are often exposed to more mainstream,perhaps less challenging,animated content? Dr. Anya Sharma: American audiences,particularly younger generations,are increasingly seeking out content that reflects the complexities of modern life. They’re drawn to authenticity and a willingness to confront challenging topics. Festivals like Kaboom offer a vital alternative, showcasing animation that pushes boundaries and encourages critical thinking, which is a refreshing contrast to more commercial work. Films like “Flavours of Iraq” provide different perspectives, helping viewers understand the world. Beyond Entertainment: Animation as a Catalyst for Change Elias Thorne: The festival featured a panel discussion, “Should We Screen This Old Racist Stuff?”. How meaningful are these types of conversations in the current cultural climate? Dr. Anya Sharma: They’re essential. We are constantly grappling with how to acknowledge and address problematic aspects of our history. These discussions are crucial for education and to learn from the past to ensure we do better in the future. It reflects the festival’s commitment to engaging in difficult but necessary dialogues. The Future of Animation Elias Thorne: Looking ahead, what are the most exciting trends you see emerging in animation, particularly in terms of its ability to provoke and inspire? Dr. Anya Sharma: The intersection between animation and gaming, with titles like “Thank Goodness You’re Here,” is incredibly exciting. The blurring of lines between interactive experiences and customary storytelling provides exciting opportunities for creativity. I also see a growing focus on diverse voices and perspectives. As we see more animated works created by and about underrepresented groups, animation is poised to become an even more impactful force for social change. Elias Thorne: Dr. Sharma, thank you for your insights. Dr. Anya Sharma: Thank you for having me. Audience Interaction Elias Thorne: What animated films or themes do you think are most important for sparking conversations about our world? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Share this: Facebook X PrevPreviousBills’ $2B Stadium: NFL Rarity Included NextJorge Martin’s Qatar GP Crash: Injury UpdateNext Leave a Replay James Webb: Planet’s Self-Destruction? 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Award

Film

Director(s)

best VR

Project: Impulse: Playing with Reality

Barry Gene Murphy, May Abdalla

>.

Archyde Exclusive: Exploring “Provocation” in Animation with dr.Anya Sharma, Animation Studies Scholar

Interview by Elias Thorne, archyde News Editor

April 16, 2025

The Kaboom Animation Festival 2025 recently concluded, leaving audiences buzzing with discussion about its central theme of “Provocation.” To delve deeper into this concept and its importance, especially for American audiences, Archyde news spoke with Dr. Anya Sharma, a leading scholar in Animation Studies at the University of California, Berkeley.

Understanding “Provocation” in Animation

Elias Thorne: Dr. Sharma, thank you for joining us. Kaboom’s focus on “Provocation” is intriguing. In your view, what makes animation such a potent medium for challenging audiences and exploring complex themes?

Dr. Anya Sharma: Thank you for having me. animation, by its very nature, allows for a level of abstraction and inventiveness that live-action often can’t achieve. It can visualize the unfeasible, the surreal, the uncomfortable. This ability to transform reality makes it a powerful tool for provocation. It can confront viewers with ideas and perspectives in ways that are both striking and memorable.

The American Outlook

Elias Thorne: How does this resonate with American audiences,who are often exposed to more mainstream,perhaps less challenging,animated content?

Dr. Anya Sharma: American audiences,particularly younger generations,are increasingly seeking out content that reflects the complexities of modern life. They’re drawn to authenticity and a willingness to confront challenging topics. Festivals like Kaboom offer a vital alternative, showcasing animation that pushes boundaries and encourages critical thinking, which is a refreshing contrast to more commercial work. Films like “Flavours of Iraq” provide different perspectives, helping viewers understand the world.

Beyond Entertainment: Animation as a Catalyst for Change

Elias Thorne: The festival featured a panel discussion, “Should We Screen This Old Racist Stuff?”. How meaningful are these types of conversations in the current cultural climate?

Dr. Anya Sharma: They’re essential. We are constantly grappling with how to acknowledge and address problematic aspects of our history. These discussions are crucial for education and to learn from the past to ensure we do better in the future. It reflects the festival’s commitment to engaging in difficult but necessary dialogues.

The Future of Animation

Elias Thorne: Looking ahead, what are the most exciting trends you see emerging in animation, particularly in terms of its ability to provoke and inspire?

Dr. Anya Sharma: The intersection between animation and gaming, with titles like “Thank Goodness You’re Here,” is incredibly exciting. The blurring of lines between interactive experiences and customary storytelling provides exciting opportunities for creativity. I also see a growing focus on diverse voices and perspectives. As we see more animated works created by and about underrepresented groups, animation is poised to become an even more impactful force for social change.

Elias Thorne: Dr. Sharma, thank you for your insights.

Dr. Anya Sharma: Thank you for having me.

Audience Interaction

Elias Thorne: What animated films or themes do you think are most important for sparking conversations about our world? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Kaboom Animation Festival 2025: A Report