Two Unique Preview Screenings in Leeuwarden During the First Edition of Bajes Buitenbios

Four Summer Evenings, Four Diverse Films
The Bajes Buitenbios opens on Wednesday, August 19, with The Kidnapping of a President (Samuli Valkama, 2026), a black comedy about the absurd and true story of a far-right group that, in the year 1930, attempts to kidnap the Finnish president. The screening of this film at the Bajes Outdoor Cinema is highly exclusive: the film won’t be officially released until September 2026.

On Thursday, August 20, Sunny Dancer (George Jaques, 2026) will follow, a British coming-of-age film by an exceptionally talented, just 24-year-old director, full of humor, young love, and unexpected friendships, which tackles potentially heavy themes in a playful and funny way.

On Friday, August 21, the program features The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (Stephan Elliott, 1994), the iconic cult classic in which two drag queens and a transgender woman travel through the Australian outback in their colorful bus. Flamboyant and full of optimism: the ideal film to watch in an outdoor setting.

On Saturday, August 22, the Bajes Buitenbios wraps up with Juste une illusion (Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano, 2026), a heartwarming, energetic, and musical French comedy about that intense phase of life when everything seems possible and the dream of changing the world is not yet an illusion. This film, too, won’t officially be released until September of this year, which makes the preview screening in Leeuwarden this summer something special.

Accessible to an International Audience
The first three movie nights are also accessible to an international audience, as the films are in English (with Dutch subtitles) or have English subtitles. In this way, the Bajes Buitenbios explicitly caters to both Leeuwarden residents and international students and visitors.

Summer Evenings Under the Stars
Every evening, the Bajes Buitenbios opens its doors at 8:00 p.m. As soon as it gets dark, between approximately 9:00 and 9:15 p.m., the film program begins. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, the main feature is preceded by a number of trailers. On Fridays and Saturdays, the evening begins with a short film by a regional filmmaker, followed by the main feature.

The Bajes Buitenbios is the first joint event organized by the Slieker Film House and the Noordelijk Film Festival, both part of the Film in Friesland Foundation. The combination of the historic Blokhuispoort, a warm summer evening, and a surprising film program makes every evening a special cinematic experience. Before and after the films, there’s plenty of time to enjoy the atmosphere in the courtyard and the food and drink options at the Blokhuispoort.

Ticket Sales
More information about the full program and practical details can be found at bajesbuitenbios.nl. Ticket sales for all films will begin on Thursday, July 16, at 12:00 p.m. via that same website.

Partners and Sponsors
The Bajes Buitenbios is made possible by Stichting Film in Friesland, Noordelijk Film Festival, Slieker, De Blokhuispoort, Boei, Proefverlof, Gemeente Leeuwarden, Parkeergarages Leeuwarden, Haan Reclamewerk, Van der Eems, Omrin, Hotel Vie Via and Alibi Hostel.

Image: Still from the film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, screening on Friday evening, August 21, at Bajes Buitenbios