Casper de Jong Short Film Festival of Inanimate Beings

In 2024 multidisciplinary artist Casper de Jong picked film as a new medium to tell a story about our relationship with technology. Casper sees a trait of frustration within machines, an almost child-like behaviour of trying to discover one's own capabilities by trial and error. Within robotic/mechanic design, this trait – which consists of imperfections, emotions and frustration – is often hidden under sleek design and optimisation. By highlighting mechanic properties, Casper puts an emphasis on this hidden frustration.

During this year Casper created over 10 films, featuring films from a day in the life of an officeworker, a nature documentary and a heartwarming love story.

To showcase his latest work, Casper organised a full, hyper-speed festival: the Casper de Jong Short Film Festival of Inanimate beings. The festival contained all the elements a common film festival has; red carpet, paparazzi, speeches, keynotes, professionals program, educational program, music with a collaboration between man and robot, a professional jury for the award show, networking drinks, a panel discussion with small robots, award show and gala.

Immersing his audience in a performative and LARP-like filmfestival for a couple of hours, where everybody went with the beliefs of lifeless objects being superstars, getting a glimpse in their life and process.

Cheering for the inanimate beings winning an award, and calling the decision of rewarding an award to the best actor a ‘political decision over a fair decision’. Five unknowingly volunteers were appointed at the beginning of the night, receiving a badge and paper with instruction to make sure the whole event goes smooth.
This film festival for Inanimate Beings is one out of the ordinary, in both content and form. Having six featured shorts in movie hall 1, another five in movie hall 2. Ten robots attended the festival and over 70 people participated. Followed by an exhibition in the following weekend.

Credits:

Artist & Creative lead: Casper de Jong
In collaboration with: (my dear colleagues at) Medialab SETUP
Keynote: Marijke Hessels
Production & Musician: Thomas van Rijckervorsel
Jury: Doenja Abel, Tom dello and Jurian Strik
Light and sound: Mike Lathouwers
Explicator: Alessandra Schimmel
Panel host and sparmaatje: Ellen Bijsterbosch
Volunteers: Volunteer #1, volunteer #2, volunteer #3, volunteer #4, volunteer #5.
Poster design: Casper de Jong
Pictures: Bas de Meijer & Mathijs Verhagen
Awards: Onesa Novak & Paul Klinkenberg
Camera and edit: Laura Bouman
Help with Graphic design: Frank-Jan van Lunteren
Red carpet and miniature stage design: Juliette Mout & Juliet Campfens
Merchandise: Bram Engelaar
My friends, family and colleaugues, and a special thank you to Onesa Novak for her endless support.

Sponsors:
Medialab SETUP,  de Klok Bieren, Velleman Group, Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve Industrie, Gemeente Utrecht