Ai Film fest

Terwijl de wereld zich nog verslikt in ChatGPT en deepfakes, landt op 3 juni het allereerste AI Film Fest op het landgoed van Film Fest Vaes in Maastricht. Geen tech-event voor nerds. Geen gadgetbeurs. Maar een scherp en publiekgericht festival dat de film als wapen inzet om het gesprek over AI aan te zwengelen. Over hoop, angst, controle en... chaos. Want laten we eerlijk zijn: AI is niet zomaar een technologische ontwikkeling. Het is een maatschappelijke splijtzwam. Gaat het ons redden van personeelstekorten, of ons reduceren tot toeschouwers van onze eigen banen? Gaat AI de zorg menselijker maken, of juist afstandelijker? En als een AI een Oscar wint, wat betekent dat dan voor kunstenaars, verhalenvertellers en het auteursrecht? Het AI Film Fest, een initiatief van ImpactHunters en The AI Playground, nodigt bezoekers uit om niet alleen te kijken, maar ook te voelen, twijfelen en discussiëren. Films, talks en panels vormen samen een programma dat schuurt én inspireert.

Tickets Practical information

While the world is still grappling with ChatGPT and deepfakes, the very first AI Film Fest will launch on June 3rd at the Film Fest Vaes estate in Maastricht. This is not a tech event for nerds, nor a gadget expo. It is a sharp, public-focused festival that uses film as a catalyst to spark conversations about AI — exploring themes of hope, fear, control, and… chaos.

Because let’s be honest: AI is not just another technological development; it is a societal disruptor. Will it save us from labor shortages, or reduce us to mere spectators of our own jobs? Will it humanize healthcare, or make it even more impersonal? And if an AI wins an Oscar, what does that mean for artists, storytellers, and copyright?

The AI Film Fest, an initiative by ImpactHunters and The AI Playground, invites visitors not just to watch, but to feel, question, and engage. Films, talks, and panels come together in a program that challenges and inspires.

Programma

09:30 - CAREfully introducing AI into Healthcare (in Dutch)

The morning program addresses a critical issue: healthcare. Hospitals are closing, staff are burning out. Can AI make a real difference? Or are we merely shifting warm human contact to a cold algorithm? Healthcare experts, futurists, and critical patients will share their insights, because ‘smart healthcare’ demands more than just smart software.

Panel:

  • Marc Vrijhof – Co-founder, The Privacy Factory
  • Bianca Steeghs – Manager Werk & Dagbesteding, PSW
  • Mike Verhiel – CEO, Psylaris
  • Jeanine Leenen-Beuken – Data Scientist, Zuyderland Ziekenhuis

13:45 - AI Agents in the Workplace! (in Dutch)

In the afternoon, the focus shifts to SMEs.During AI Agents in the Workplace!, we explore how AI systems are increasingly taking over tasks once handled by humans — from customer service to sales. Helpful in times of labor shortages? Absolutely.

But how do you maintain control over something that works, learns — and sometimes lies — 24/7? Local entrepreneurs will share both their successes and doubts. An AI agent might help your company grow, but it can also invisibly alter your organizational culture.

20:00 - AI for the General Public: Oscar-winning Flow (English with Dutch subtitles)

As evening falls, AI takes center stage for a broader audience. On the big screen: Flow (2024), a stunning Oscar-winning animated film. This dialogue-free animation tells the story of a black cat and other animals fighting for survival during a devastating flood.

Flow was created entirely using Blender — free and open-source AI software — by a small team of approximately twenty people, marking a revolutionary moment in the film industry.

Why Here, Why Now?

This is more than just another keynote session. Futurist Mike van Rijswijk and AI strategist Liesbeth Wijlaars, the driving forces behind The AI Playground, are not typical speakers; they are pioneers of the AI transition. They guide organizations across the Netherlands — from boardrooms to shop floors — with vision, insight, and actionable strategies.

At the AI Film Fest, they will ensure that the audience not only watches but truly understands what AI means today for work, healthcare, creativity, and humanity.
No abstract future scenarios — just a sharp look at what is happening right now, and what lies ahead. Through their approach, they offer the audience both insight and concrete tools to navigate an era where technology advances faster than policy can keep up.

Mike van Rijswijk, futurist and co-founder of The AI Playground, is excited about the collaboration behind AI Film Fest: “With event partners such as LIOF, ScaiLabs, Brightlands, and organizer ImpactHunters, it is no surprise that this AI-focused film festival is being held in South Limburg. Together with The AI Playground, we are bringing AI to Film Fest Vaes — a groundbreaking event that engages both business audiences and the wider public in the fascinating world of AI.”