Beta Film's "Benjamin Bat" (76 min), an animated musical adventure film centering on a sensitive bat that is afraid of the dark, will open the 38th edition of the Cinekid Festival. The world premiere will take place on 20 October at Pathé Amsterdam Noord.
"Benjamin Bat" will be released in Benelux on 23 October by its Dutch distributor September Film. The film was made possible with the support of the Netherlands Film Fund, Netherlands Production Incentive, CoBO, Luxembourg Film Fund, and Creative Europe Media. Beta Film is the international sales agent.
"Benjamin Bat" is produced by Storytellers Film & TV (producers Errol Nayci and Julia Ton) and Zeilt Productions (co-producer Laurent Witz), in collaboration with il Luster. Dutch public broadcaster Avrotros is attached as 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.
Heleen Rouw, Cinekid Festival Director highlighted the show's message: "'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," commented.
Claudia Schmitt, Head of Kids & Family Entertainment, Beta Film described some of its main features: “We are very happy that 'Benjamin Bat' is opening this year's Cinekid. Not only is the film told with a unique style, combining partly 3D-animated with painted backgrounds, but it is also a beautiful story about facing your fears, standing up for yourself, even against those closest to you, and how family is more than the blood we share," stated.
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.