What happens when you switch to radically different disciplines? Come find out! The Amsterdam Storytelling Festival and the Kaboom Animation Festival asked two storytellers to see what kind of story they could tell using animation. Rod Ben Zeev and Renske Ebbers gladly accepted the challenge and got to work on finding a new way to tell stories for the big screen!
Skip It / Rod Ben Zeev
Get ready to rediscover the magic in everyday moments with Rod’s unique performance! This isn’t just a show, it’s an adventure where you make the decisions. Do you want to soak up every delicious detail or skip straight to the good stuff? The choice is yours! And here’s the best part: Rod has a knack for bringing out the kid in everyone. By the end, you’ll feel like you’re looking at the world with the same wide-eyed wonder you did when you were a kid. It’s playful, interactive, and guaranteed to make you laugh.
Lionheart / Renske Ebbers
A girl on a beach in South Africa, taking off her Wonder Woman cape. A sister playing Mario Kart in a children's hospital.
She was known as the brave one. The oldest of her generation, the first girl in her family who could do anything she wanted. But what is left after the dragon is slain and she is called home empty-handed? When the only person who truly sees her as a hero is the one she simply cannot save? When bravery gives way to shame, will she dare to speak out?
A girl wants to hit a mountain. Or become a lion. Or learn to fly. Anything to not sit still and wait.
In a personal story about the delusions of voluntourism and the magical bond between two siblings, Renske travels to the fantasy lands of children's books, animations and video games. Because beyond a world of dishonesty and unhappiness, there is a place for us, if you are brave enough to pretend. Meet me there, my love, and I will race you on those white sandy shores.
Rod Ben Zeev is a storyteller at heart, passionate about weaving stories that inspire change and spark creativity. Rod also produces “My True Story” at Mezrab, a space where authentic stories come to life, captivating audiences and connecting people through shared experiences.
Renske is a creative producer and program curator for community-based performing arts, with a passion for social issues and international collaboration. Since 2020, she has developed as a writer and storyteller with Mezrab, bringing personal stories with a touch of nostalgia, a dash of self-mockery and a musical note. This is her first performance for the Amsterdam Storytelling Festival. Listen to another story by Renske Ebbers on Spotify.
Credits:
A collaboration with Kaboom Animation Festival
Concept and animation selection: Stijn Ebbers
Animations by: *
Stories and Achievements Lionheart: Renske Ebbers
Stories and performances Skip it: Rod Ben Zeev
