JOY BOY - a tribute to Julius Eastman (2026, 62’)

Six filmmakers enter in conversation about the transcendent music, queer activism and vibrant black spirituality of Julius Eastman; creating a number of eclectic, interconnected film scenes and audio interludes. JOY BOY first came alive as a video-installation accompanying a live performance of Eastman’s music (2024). Since then, the project has continuously been transforming and now lives as a 5-channel installation (2025) and feature lenght film (2026).

The film consists of 4 chapters:

(1) Evil N - Mawena Yehouessi & Fallon Mayanja

‘Evil’ came from the Old English word, ‘yfel’ which means wicked, vicious, or bad. Krump comes from Clowning, which is about passing. Or precisely, unveiling the glitched im.possibility of ‘passing’ for black bodies. Krumping is a dance that's a philosophy. Kingdom Radically Uplifted Mighty Praise, THEY SAID.

(2) Many, Many Women - Rob Jacobs & Cem Weiss

Planets travel through the cosmos of a water drop. A choir sings the phrase “this one is one” over and over, in an invitation to feel the interconnection of all beings.

(3) Gay Guerrilla - Anne Reijniers & Paul Shemisi

A group of queer Kinois dancers form a 'Gay Guerrilla', freedom fighters moving through the streets of Kinshasa, falling and rising together. Dancers: Thony Yondo, Sanders Coccinelle, Naomie Kulemfuka & Dan Monga.

(4) Joy Boy - Victoire Karera Kampire

An amazon is about to be buried under some animated organic matter. They kept their jewelry, their “grillz” smile, as protection and gift to the gods as they go back to the earth to which they belong.They body parts - muscles, shiny skin, long painted nails, fake eyelashes - glow through the shadow. They are a - moving - breathing - still - life painting.  

Joy Boy will see its world premiere in February 2026