No. 40 · Short Film
The Sneeze
Directed by Vera van Nuenen, Yala Claessens
Netherlands · 6 min
“The Sneeze” is a relatable, slightly disturbing, portrayal of themes such as taking up space, transformation and queer joy. In this short film the piling up of discomfort leads to a sneeze, a sneeze so loud and intense it transforms them towards a vibrant, exaggerated and playful queer utopia.
Streams 21 September 2026 to 28 September 2026, Berlin time. Every ticket is one Audience Award vote.
About the film
The Sneeze is a love letter to unapologetic human existence. The inspiration is sourced from life experience of struggling to take up space physically, vocally and emotionally. The main character is placed in the most relatable situation in which this occurs: a group conversation. Do you take your place or does your inner critic prevent you from showing up? Maybe you’re unwanted, not good enough? How would you show up if there were no consequences? No more filter, released from the shackles of censorship. The sneeze is an involuntary act of self-expression. It symbolizes the choice we all have to make: do we make it small and inaudible, or do we let ourselves go and boldly take up space?
Content notes: Strobing or flashing images
- Runtime
- 6 min
- Category
- Short Film
- Country
- The Netherlands
- Year
- 2025
- Language
- Netherlands
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85:1
Stills
Vera van Nuenen, Yala Claessens
Yala Claessens is an interdisciplinary artist, facilitator, and educator with a background in dance, theatre, film, and socially engaged art. All her work meets at the intersection between art, empowerment and well-being. Her artistic practise centers around human connection, sensory awareness and inclusion.
Vera van Nuenen is a researcher in art, culture, and fashion focusing on the evolving dynamics of fashion in the digital age. She critically examines how technology influences our relationship with clothing, identity, and cultural expression in the context of contemporary societal issues. Vera is the founder of WETWARE Magazine.
Credits
- Directed by
- Yala Claessens, Vera van Nuenen
- Written by
- Bent Lochtenberg, Vera van Nuenen, Yala Claessens
- Produced by
- Vera van Nuenen
- Production company
- FASHIONCLASH
- Cinematography
- Ward Deleersnyder
- Editing
- Davide Simonetti
- Production design
- Bent Lochtenberg
- Music
- Ben Tanghe
- Principal cast
- Luca Neumann Nico Ayala Rivera Mylia Hennig Moos van de Maan Bent Lochtenberg
- Also
- Art director & costume design: Bent Lochtenberg Color grader: David de Bruijn Production Assistant: Lotte Hendriks Set & Styling Assistant: Charlie Dröge Hair / Makeup: Charlie Dröge & Moos van de Maan Gaffer: Jona Schepens Title and Poster Design: Bent Lochtenberg BTS Photographer: Yuliia Tarasova Artistic Coach: Flo Meijer Special Thanks: Nada van Dalen; Djan Mattijsse; POST, Platform for Contemporary Art; Restaurant Konijnenvoer
— Festivals and awards
FASHIONCLASH Festival (2025) - official selection (premiere) Museumnacht Maastricht (2026) - film screening Limburg Film Festival (2026) - official selection Kunsthal Friday Night live X Fashion in Flux (2026) - film screening Lumiere Open Air Film Festival (2026) - Official selection Cyprus Fashion Film Festival (2026) - Official selection CANIFF (2026) - Official selection
The Sneeze is part of the Official Selection of the BIUFF Founding Edition 2026.