Giovanni and the Water Ballet
Giovanni is ten and wants to compete in the Dutch synchronised swimming championships. He trains among girls, stretches beside the pool and keeps going. Between practice sessions, he and his girlfriend Kim discuss love and their future. Ambition and gender expectations meet the ordinary complications of growing up.
Watch trailerSelected awards
- IDFAMediafonds Kids & Docs Award · 2014
- BerlinaleSpecial Prize, Generation Kplus International Jury, Best Short Film · 2015
- Full Frame Documentary Film FestivalAudience Award, Short · 2015
01 / 04
Giovanni practises the splits beside an indoor swimming pool.
All films ↗Training, ambition and first love
An exam stands between Giovanni and the Dutch championships. Training involves repetition, corrections and the difficult work of making a movement look effortless. Underwater images and music share that effort with the viewer.
Away from the pool, Giovanni and Kim talk about love, loyalty and what they might do next. Their conversations give the film a second rhythm alongside the countdown to the exam.
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Giovanni and the Water BalletSelected credits
- Director
- Astrid Bussink
- Producers
- Hasse van Nunen and Renko Douze, Een van de jongens
- Cinematography
- Diderik Evers, Dirk-Jan Kerkkamp and Sal Kroonenberg
- Editing
- Femke Klein Obbink
- Broadcaster
- NCRV
- Sound
- Tim van Peppen and Bouk Bouwmeester
- Animation
- Max Italiaander
- Sound design
- Tim van Peppen
Film details & resources
- Original title
- Giovanni en het waterballet
- English title
- Giovanni and the Water Ballet
- Year
- 2014
- Format
- Short documentary
- Running time
- 17 min
- Film & educational materials · Eye ↗
Dutch teaching materials for ages 9+.
- Producer · Een van de jongens ↗
Awards & festivals
Giovanni and the Water BalletAwards
- 2014
IDFA
Mediafonds Kids & Docs Award
- 2015
Berlinale
Special Prize, Generation Kplus International Jury, Best Short Film
- 2015
New York International Children’s Film Festival
Grown Ups Award (audience award)
- 2015
Cairo International Cinema & Arts Festival for Children
Second Prize, Documentary
- 2015
CAT International Children and Youth Festival
Best Short Documentary
- 2015
Full Frame Documentary Film Festival
Audience Award, Short
- 2015
Encounters Short Film Festival
Best Children’s Documentary
- 2015
Cinekid
Kinderkast Award, Non-fiction
- 2015
Milwaukee Film Festival
Shorter Is Better Award
Special mentions & honours
- 2016
Flickerfest
Special Mention, Documentary