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campaign image ResearchLabs 2026 (Leiden University)

Festival

ResearchLabs 2026

13 — 14 February 2026

Students from different art academies and universities are asked to put together a programme featuring their own work and films from Eye’s collection. ResearchLabs do not follow a strict format and often result in a cultural crossover between film and other art forms.

During the yearly ResearchLabs presentations, Eye is a hub for students of academies and universities who flock to present their own work and view that of others.

The academies participating in the ResearchLabs are Sandberg Institute, Piet Zwart Institute, Rietveld Academie, Leiden University, Royal Academy of Art, University of Amsterdam, Master of Film (Netherlands Film Academy), AKI (ArtEZ), VR Academy and Master Institute of Visual Cultures (St. Joost School of Art & Design).

Once all the works have been shown, the Cherry Pickers, a group of students from the academies, will award the best programme, the most urgent work, the most surprising work with a Cherry and also will award a Wild Cherry. The Cherries are designed and printed by artist Tibor Dieters.

Cherries 2026

Jury commentary by Cherry picker Ariella Kolshi

Best curated:

Fine Art Department Sandberg Institute: The Unreliable Narrator

“The Sandberg Institute's programme was exceptionally curated, primarily due to its demonstration of the extensive possibilities in its curatorial approach. They used a variety of approaches to achieve a distinctive final product. Furthermore, each component of the programme resonated profoundly with us, and the creators themselves made a particularly strong impression with their monologues. In conclusion, this was an innovative approach to curation and film.”

Most urgent:

Baby Flacon at the Library, Piet Zwart

“From the beginning, this film struck a chord with all of us. The programme addressed a topic of relevance to all residents of the Netherlands, doing so in a clever and socially conscious manner. We found the approach taken to be somewhat absurd, given the gravity and relevance of the matter at hand. Furthermore, we determined that this was the most inclusive work. This is the reason for its success.”

Most surprising:

No Title, Rietveld

“During the selection process for the winner of this category, the group engaged in extensive deliberations regarding the definition of "surprising." After careful consideration, we selected the winner of this category due to its remarkable ability to engage and captivate viewers. The timing within this film was impeccable, and the way it played with and thought about the reactions of the audience was truly exceptional—a rare feat in the industry. The combination of these small interactions and the conventional use of film resulted in a work that was both surprising and innovative.”

Wild cherry:

Do You Know What the Colour Green Means, KABK

“When selecting the Wild Cherry, we thought about which film touched us on an instinctive level. Ultimately, we made our choice because the winner of this category managed to do just that perfectly. It is a visually clever film, with a lot of attention to the surroundings, combined with a personal yet recognisable story about a family situation. The film ticked both the narrative and visual boxes, and did so in an almost cosmically connecting way. Everything felt right to us, and that is why this is the winner.”

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