Carnaval Film Festival presents film program Fiesta Macumba

'Bubbling Baby' is a short documentary by Sharine Rijsenburg exploring the rich history and cultural significance of bubbling music, a genre that originated in the 1980s within Caribbean-Dutch communities, particularly among Surinamese and Antillean youth in Rotterdam, The Hague, and Amsterdam. DJ Moortje, a Dutch-Caribbean DJ of Curaçaoan descent, is often credited as the pioneer of bubbling. More than just a music genre, bubbling evolved into a dance movement, resembling dancehall but faster and more expressive. Above all, bubbling became a way for Surinamese- and Caribbean-Dutch youth in the Netherlands to express their cultural identity in a new social environment, including on Zomercarnaval (Summer Carnaval).

The short film 'Jab Jab' from 2017 is a documentary film by Corine Djaoen-Genaro that commemorates the 50th anniversary of Curaçao’s Carnival, focusing on the lead-up to the ‘Gran Marcha’ and exploring the historical significance of the celebration. Through interviews, archival footage, and vibrant visuals, it delves into the cultural importance of Carnival for the people of Curaçao, highlighting its role in fostering community identity and unity.

'Who In Da Morning' is a short film co-directed by Jonathan Isaac Jackson and Philip Williamson about Junkanoo, one of the Caribbean’s most celebrated and spirited carnivals. Being practiced most notably in Jamaica, The Bahamas, Belize, and Florida, this documentary focuses on Bahamian Junkanoo, hosted over Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. The largest Junkanoo celebration takes place on Bay Street, in downtown Nassau, but Bahamians across the 16 islands celebrate this joyful tradition. From colourful costumes to exuberant dance routines, participants spend months preparing for the pageantry of this street parade accompanied by the steady beat of whistles, cowbells, horns, and goatskin drums that starts in the wee hours after midnight.

Directed by Victoria Fiore, 'Pavilhao' (2025, 13′) is a short film set in Rio de Janeiro, where Aleksia, a young woman, embarks on a mystical journey through time. Along the way, she uncovers the origins of samba, tracing its roots in the resilience, joy, spirituality, and resistance of the Afro-Brazilian community. Through Aleksia’s eyes, Pavilhão reveals how samba emerged from generations of Afro-Brazilian struggle and celebration, highlighting the powerful cultural forces that continue to shape this music and its significance today.

Carnaval Film Festival
Held for the first time in Amsterdam in July 2025, the Carnaval Film Festival is a film festival exploring how Carnaval has inspired filmmakers around the world to tell stories of joy, resistance, community, and freedom. From the dazzling parades of Rio de Janeiro and Port of Spain to the rhythmic expressions of Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean and the Prince Carnaval traditions of the Netherlands and Belgium, Carnaval is a global phenomenon, rooted in history, culture and community. The Carnaval Film Festival honors the complexity, creativity and resistance of these traditions, while asking urgent questions about culture, identity, and belonging in a changing world. For more info: www.caribbeancreativity.nl.

Caribbean Creativity
Caribbean Creativity is an Amsterdam-based non-profit organization that is, since 2008, committed to the programming and promotion of Caribbean and Caribbean-themed cinema in the Netherlands and beyond. Over the years, Caribbean Creativity has hosted over 300 screenings in Dutch cinemas and at film festivals, including numerous premieres. In 2020, they launched YardVibes, a streaming platform featuring content from independent Caribbean and African filmmakers. YardVibes currently offers over 100 titles, including feature films, web series, documentaries, and short films, with new content added monthly. For more information, visit www.caribbeancreativity.nl.

Africadelic
Africadelic is an Amsterdam-based non-profit organization that, since 2016, is committed to the programming and promotion of African and African diasporic cultural creativity, diversity and activism in the Netherlands. Each year on and around International Africa Day (May 25), they organize the Africacadelic Festival in Paradiso and various other venues across Amsterdam. This year, the 11th edition of the festival will be held from May 20-27, 2026. For more information, visit www.africadelic.com.