On 29 January 2026, the Amsterdam University of the Arts Eindwerkprijs awards show took place. The annual prize for the best graduation project offers a platform for the new generation of talented creators. The alumni presented their projects at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. Ollie Launspach, Isa Sluis, Swaantje Kooijmans & team (Netherlands Film Academy) won in the Bachelor's category with their documentary kus kus beng beng. The Master's category award went to Julian Tjon Sack Kie (Conservatorium van Amsterdam) for his compositions Retracing Steps & Process of Becoming.
An honest and vulnerable love story
Ollie Launspach (Directing Documentary), Isa Sluis, and Swaantje Kooijmans (Production) won the Bachelor's award with kus kus beng beng. In the documentary, Ollie explores how his girlfriend Sterre experiences his transition, hoping not to lose her. The jury believes they'll be hearing a lot more from these graduates: "It's a beautiful love story, vulnerable and tangible. We were blown away by this film, by the honesty and openness of its creators. It's fragile, about something incredibly delicate, namely 'will you still love me if I dare to be who I am?' The creators used a wide range of tools to tell the story: text, sound design, intimate home video footage, and even paper with handwritten words. To incorporate all of that into one film and still make it feel like a unified whole is spectacular."
Personal heritage as a new musical language
Winner of the Master's award, Julian Tjon Sack Kie, graduated from the Master's programme in Classical Music - Composition with his projectsRetracing Steps & Process of Becoming. Julian wants to let his ancestors speak through his instrument, the kora. After a profound journey through West Africa, he created compositions that integrate memories into his own contemporary music. From the jury report: “This quest for his lost heritage is innovative, because Julian truly establishes a new language. The jury is also impressed by the beautiful music and by how the creator has remained so true to himself. It is honest, accessible, and deeply moving. Its simplicity has great expressiveness. With this adventurous work, the creator breaks open the canon of the profession.”
Ten promising nominations from 57 submissions
The Eindwerkprijs consists of two cash prizes of €2,000 each in the bachelor's and master's categories. From 57 submissions, the professional jury nominated ten projects, each representative of the artistic diversity of the AHK: from visual arts to film, music, choreography, architecture, and cultural heritage. With this broad selection, the AHK showcases the variety and quality of the creative talent nurtured under its roof - young and curious, ambitious and socially engaged.
The jury assessed all submissions based on three criteria: the quality of the work, how the graduates connected with the outside world, and the relevance of their work to the development of the field.
The jury consisted of Josien Pieterse (chair), Bart Rutten, Carla van der Weerdt-Norder, Corine Haitjema, Idriss Nabil, Joy Wielkens, and Steven van Raan.
View all nominated projects of the Eindwerkprijs