A sheriff’s shootout turns into an adventure through the wondrous world of film.
Cliffhanger is an animated short film created with co-directors Diederick Geers and Jasper Loos. The project involved developing the story, directing the film, and shaping its visual style. Produced in 2020, the film was made through Ultrakort, a collaboration between the Netherlands Film Fund, Fonds 21 and Vue Cinemas.
Crash course in animation
The project also served as a hands-on introduction to Toon Boom Harmony. With guidance and training from Anikey, the studio handling the animation, the team quickly got up to speed with the software. Work on the film included preparing character designs and animating effects, turning the production into a playful step into professional 2D animation.
Credits
Direction: Jelle Janssen, Diederick Geers, Jasper Loos
Produced by Valk productions: Richard Valk, Eline van Hagen
Storyboard: Diederick Geers
Character designs: Geert Rutten
Color scripts: Karin van Zon
Production: Anikey Studios
Line producer: Janneke Meekes
Production assistant: Witte van der Tempel
Assistant director: Albert 't Hooft
Rigging: Lieke Wouters & Witte van der Tempel
Animation: Lieke Wouters
Layouts & Backgrounds: Jelle Brunt
Compositing: Witte van der Tempel
Composting assistant: Lieke Wouters
Edit: Witte van der Tempel
Music & Sound Design by NOZEM Audio: Bas van Win, Devin de Vries, Jeroen Jaspers
Sound design & Mastering: Bob Kommer Studios
Produced by Valk productions: Richard Valk, Eline van Hagen
Storyboard: Diederick Geers
Character designs: Geert Rutten
Color scripts: Karin van Zon
Production: Anikey Studios
Line producer: Janneke Meekes
Production assistant: Witte van der Tempel
Assistant director: Albert 't Hooft
Rigging: Lieke Wouters & Witte van der Tempel
Animation: Lieke Wouters
Layouts & Backgrounds: Jelle Brunt
Compositing: Witte van der Tempel
Composting assistant: Lieke Wouters
Edit: Witte van der Tempel
Music & Sound Design by NOZEM Audio: Bas van Win, Devin de Vries, Jeroen Jaspers
Sound design & Mastering: Bob Kommer Studios
Selections
Nederlands Film Festival, The Netherlands (2020)
Cinekid, The Netherlands (2020)
Palm Springs International Animation Festival, USA (2020)
Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, France (2021)
Sonoma International Film Festival, USA (2021)
ONE Country ONE Film, France (2021)
Zuidelijk Film Festival, The Netherlands (2021)
Anibar International Animation Festival, Kosovo (2021)
LA Shorts International Film Festival, USA (2021)
Anima International Animation Festival, Argentina (2021)
Cinekid, The Netherlands (2020)
Palm Springs International Animation Festival, USA (2020)
Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, France (2021)
Sonoma International Film Festival, USA (2021)
ONE Country ONE Film, France (2021)
Zuidelijk Film Festival, The Netherlands (2021)
Anibar International Animation Festival, Kosovo (2021)
LA Shorts International Film Festival, USA (2021)
Anima International Animation Festival, Argentina (2021)