WFFR - Aap tot aap & Chimps of Fongoli

A double feature exploring chimpanzees and the relationship between animals and humans, framed by a roundtable discussion led by philosopher Joyce van der Niet.

Aap tot aap (20 min., Dutch, 2025 - European premiere)
Filmmaker Meike investigates the evolutionary origins of emotion and leadership alongside cognitive psychologist Mariska Kret - and arrives at chimpanzees. Their social behaviour challenges conventional ideas about power and empathy. The film is written as a letter to primatologist Frans de Waal, who died in 2024, and reveals how close the bond between humans and great apes truly is.

Director: Meike Anna Schaapveld | Producers: Charlotte Vermeulen & Inez Eltink | Production country: Netherlands

The Chimps of Fongoli (50 min., English, 2025)
A group of chimpanzees in Senegal lives in the hot savanna at the edge of the Sahara - one of the most extreme habitats for their species. For years they remained out of sight of researchers, until a dedicated team managed to capture their behaviour. That behaviour proved surprisingly unique and sheds new light on our own evolutionary history.

Director: Oliver Twinch | Producers: David Allen & Oliver Twinch | Production country: United Kingdom

More information: https://wffr.nl/festival/