Cell Buddies – Stop-Motion Friendship Behind Bars
In a world where trust is hard to come by, sometimes friendship blooms in the unlikeliest of places—even a jail cell. Cell Buddies (original title Cel Maatjes) is a five-minute stop-motion short that pairs a grumpy raccoon and a sweet-natured manatee in a hilariously heartfelt prison break story about loyalty, redemption, and learning to let your guard down.
Created by a team of emerging Dutch animators—Melle Windig, Hidde Alberts, Miguel Reyes, Jürgen de Smit, and Arjen van der Plas—the film was produced at the Sint Joost School of Art & Design in Den Bosch, Netherlands, as part of the school’s celebrated stop-motion minor program. Completed in January 2025, Cell Buddies quickly began making waves on the festival circuit, earning official selections at over 75 international festivals and taking home multiple awards, including Best Animation at the Lytham International Film Festival in the UK.
A Prison Break With Heart
At its core, Cell Buddies tells the story of Sam, a hardened raccoon doing time, and Bob, a gentle but dimwitted manatee who becomes his cellmate. Sam’s determination to escape prison drives the plot forward, but as his elaborate plan unfolds, Bob’s loyalty and innocence challenge Sam’s cynical outlook. What starts as a gritty jailbreak morphs into an unexpected exploration of trust and companionship.
The directors cleverly balance humor with emotional depth, transforming a comically absurd setup—two wildly different animal cellmates—into a story with genuine warmth. Through expressive puppet animation and detailed miniature sets, the team gives both characters a tangible presence that feels instantly relatable, despite their outlandish circumstances.
A Student Project With Professional Polish
What makes Cell Buddies especially impressive is that it was produced on a zero-euro budget as part of a student assignment. The filmmakers handled everything themselves—from sculpting the puppets and sets to animating each frame and recording the voices. The result, however, feels anything but amateur. The film’s lighting, staging, and texture evoke the tactile charm of professional studio work while maintaining a playful, handcrafted authenticity.
Each director brought their own sensibility to the production, reflecting the collaborative spirit fostered at Sint Joost. In interviews and festival bios, the team has expressed a shared dedication to storytelling through painstaking frame-by-frame craftsmanship—a sentiment echoed in Windig’s own words about “working long hours just to bring a few seconds of life to a puppet.”
Global Recognition
Since its completion, Cell Buddies has traveled across continents. Its festival run includes screenings at LiMFest (Language in Motion Film Festival) in the U.S., Allentown Film Festival, Apedemak Sudan International Animation Festival, Starling Film Festival, Schlingel (Germany), YOUKI (Austria), Stop Motion MX (Mexico), and Torino Underground Cinefest (Italy)—to name just a few.
At LiMFest, it earned the Best Animated Short award, setting the tone for a remarkable international journey that continues to spotlight the Netherlands’ thriving stop-motion education scene.
Stop Motion With a Soul
While the film’s production is modest, its themes resonate universally. Cell Buddies is about finding hope and connection even when you feel trapped—literally or figuratively. It’s a comedic yet touching reminder that empathy can exist in the most unlikely of places, brought to life through meticulous stop-motion artistry and a team’s shared love for storytelling through movement.
Where to Watch
The filmmakers occasionally post updates and behind-the-scenes clips on their Instagram page @cellbuddiesmovie, where fans can see the puppets, miniature sets, and festival news. The full film is currently screening at festivals and will likely be released online after its festival run concludes.
Credits
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Directors/Writers: Melle Windig, Hidde Alberts, Miguel Reyes, Jürgen de Smit, Arjen van der Plas
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Produced at: Sint Joost School of Art & Design, Den Bosch, Netherlands
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Country: Netherlands
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Completion Date: January 29, 2025
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Runtime: 5 min 11 sec
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Technique: Stop-motion animation (4K 16:9)
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Language: Dutch
