Cinekid Festival to Open with Jippie No More!

The 37th Cinekid Festival, set to begin on October 15, will open with the world premiere of the Dutch family film Jippie No More!

Produced by Juliet at Pupkin (Lampje), the film tells the story of 16-year-old Jaap Peter “Jippie,” who has Down syndrome, and his family as they prepare for his eldest sister’s wedding and each face their own challenges regarding love.

The cast features Wesley van Klink (Downtown), Guido Pollemans (Oogappels), Aus Greidanus Sr. (De zaak Menten), Hannah van Lunteren (Narcosis), Lotte Jonker (Lampje), Carmen van Zantwijk (Mijn beste vriendin Anne Frank), Carina de Vroome (The Spectacular), Joep Paddenburg (De slag om de Schelde), Eliyha Altena (Hunter Street) and Kee Derwig (De Grinch).

The film is directed by Margien Rogaar (Lampje), written by Fiona van Heemstra (Knor) and produced by Iris Otten and Nathalie van der Burg of Juliet at Pupkin.

Jippie No More! will debut at the opening of the festival on October 15. From December 13, it will be available in Dutch cinemas and film theaters, released by distributor Cinéart.

“I am proud of the opening film for 2023,” said Heleen Rouw, director of Cinekid. “Jippie No More! is a true Cinekid film, endearing and with remarkable twists. The film encourages young viewers to discover themselves, and the story of Jaap Peter’s family represents a broad group of young people. With this premiere, Cinekid, as an international media and film festival, shows that the Netherlands delivers top quality in youth and family films.”

“I like to tell stories which appeal across generations,” director Rogaar said. “Like in an advent calendar, this film slowly reveals the storylines of different family members. They are characters everyone can identify with, whether you are 9, 39 or 90 years old. The film reflects life itself.”