When does the 2024 festival take place?
Pluk de Nacht Utrecht will be held from August 2 to 10, 2024, at the Basecamp venue, located at Nijverheidsweg 16. Pluk de Nacht Amsterdam is scheduled from August 21 to 31, 2024, at its regular spot by the IJ: the Stenen Hoofd.
How do I get to the festival grounds in Utrecht and Amsterdam?
Both festivals are accessible by public transport, car, or bike.
The festival in Utrecht is a 10-minute drive and a 15-minute bike ride from Utrecht Central Station. For public transport, you can take bus 5 towards Voordorp from Utrecht Central (get off at the Nijverheidsweg stop, a 2-minute walk from the festival grounds) or bus 38 towards Nieuwegein from Utrecht Central (get off at the Kanaalweg stop, a 10-minute walk from the festival grounds).
The festival in Amsterdam is a 5-minute drive or an 8-minute bike ride from Amsterdam Central Station. For public transport, you can take bus 48 towards Houthavens (get off at the Barentszplein stop, a 2-minute walk from the festival grounds).
For current travel information, please check the following websites: U-OV, NS Reisplanner, 9292, GVB, or utrecht.nl/bereikbaar.
What time does the movie start?
The film program begins as soon as it starts to get dark, around 21:30. We start with the short film. The venue opens at 18:00, as does the bar. If you wish, you can already settle down in your beach chair. On some evenings, we also have live music before the start of the film.
How much does a film screening cost?
Tickets are priced at €9.50, with an additional €1.50 amusement tax in Amsterdam, making the total €11.00. With this ticket, you can pick up a beach chair, enjoy a fantastic film, a delightful arts program, and afterward, dance the night away at The Silent Nightclub. You can also choose to relax on the terrace, but note that the film experience may differ from the one you get sitting in a beach chair directly in front of the container screen. Pluk MINI (date yet to be announced) remains free to access, no ticket required. Movie nights in the circus tent for children too old for Pluk MINI are priced at €3.50, plus a €1.50 amusement tax. Useful to know: payments at both the Plukbar and for blanket rentals can only be made with a card. Please note: film tickets for the same evening can be purchased online until 20:30 on the day, after which they are available only on-site.
When will the program be announced?
The film program will be announced at the end of July 2024, at which point you can reserve your beach chair!
Will there be an edition for children again?
Absolutely, in 2024 we will organize three editions, each tailored to a different age group. Pluk MINI is designed for children from 2 years old and will take place in Amsterdam, offering free entry for both children and their parents. For older children, there are special movie nights in the circus tent, available for a small fee. The exact dates for these events will be announced soon.
What are the opening hours?
In Amsterdam and Utrecht, the festival grounds with the bar/terrace and art program open every day at 18:00. On weekends (and in warm weather), it may open a bit earlier, so keep an eye on our social media channels. During Pluk MINI, we start at 14:00.
Do I need a ticket?
Yes and no. Pluk is freely accessible, you can always drop in and take a seat on the terrace. However, if you want a beach chair in front of the container screen (for the ultimate movie experience, in our opinion), then you would need to pay €9.50 (and the city of Amsterdam also asks for an additional €1.50 fun tax per ticket). You can buy such a ticket in advance online (until 20:30 the same day) via our website by indicating your city and date, or you can purchase it on location. It’s also possible to rent a blanket on the premises. It is greatly appreciated if you return the chair and blanket after the film.
Can I also buy a ticket for the show on location?
Yes, that is possible. We also have a limited number of chairs available at the venue. However, please keep in mind that these might all be rented out at a certain point. (Please note: only card payments are accepted).
What’s new this year?
We are working on new plans for 2024 and will announce them soon.
What kind of films can I expect?
The films we show at Pluk de Nacht are often successful at large international film festivals, but usually don’t make it to Dutch cinemas. Pluk de Nacht presents remarkable feature films, documentaries, animations, and short films that haven’t been shown in the Netherlands before, or have only reached a small audience. All sorts of films can come across at Pluk: from animation to road movies. From tragic rural documentaries to absurd romantic comedies. Once, a twelve-piece orchestra even played live music alongside some short films. We also held a live crying competition once, with the goal being to cry as quickly as possible on camera. This was organized with a big nod to emotional TV.
And if it rains?
We’re an all-weather event which means: the show always goes on. If it rains, bring an umbrella or rain gear ? In case of extreme weather conditions, there’s a chance that the screening will be cancelled (which has not happened yet), as safety is our priority!
What languages and subtitles are used?
The films are either in English or have English subtitles. There may be a rare occasion where a Dutch spoken film is shown without English subtitles. The language of the film and its subtitles are always indicated in the film descriptions.
Can I bring my dog/cat?
Yes, you may, as long as they’re not too large, are leashed, don’t disturb the film, and you naturally clean up their waste.
How can I support Pluk de Nacht?
You can reserve a seat and by buying a beer at the bar, you’re also helping the festival. Additionally, you can follow Pluk on Instagram and Facebook, or sign up for the newsletter.
Is food and beverages available?
Absolutely! Pluk de Nacht features a well-stocked bar with a wide variety of delicious drinks, including those from Oedipus. In Utrecht, we also offer snacks such as popcorn and, starting from August 5, loaded chips. However, there are no dinner options available in Utrecht this year. Please note: Pluk only accepts card payments.
Can I bring my own food or drinks?
Keep in mind that Pluk de Nacht can only exist if visitors buy food or drinks at the bar. If you do decide to bring your own, please clean up your trash afterwards.
Can I bring my children?
Of course, but please check if the film is suitable for your children as they are not specifically selected for a young audience. We are organizing a special afternoon for children in Amsterdam: Pluk MINI. Additionally, we will again host movie nights in the tent for older children (those who have outgrown Pluk MINI, can read subtitles, but are too young for adult films). The dates for these events will be announced soon.
Where can I find Pluk de Nacht?
Pluk de Nacht has been taking place at the Stenen Hoofd, an old pier in the former harbor area along the IJ in Amsterdam West, since the first edition. In Utrecht, we have a beautiful location at Basecamp on Nijverheidsweg 16.
Where can I park my bike?
Bike racks are placed on and around the festival grounds. Please do not park your bike outside of these racks, and definitely not in front of the entrance to the festival grounds.
Is there anything else I should know?
Pluk doesn’t expect anything more than some common sense from you. Safety is obviously of great importance. That’s why we make sure emergency exits are always clear and sufficient distance is maintained. Fires may only be lit in the fire pits we provide on site. We would also greatly appreciate it if you could dispose of your rubbish in the designated bins. And besides: just be really kind to each other!
When was Pluk founded?
The festival was founded twenty years ago by a group of friends with a great love for film. They would excitedly tell their friends about the films they saw at festivals they attended, but these were no longer available anywhere else. The aim of Pluk was, and still is, to let as many people as possible enjoy films that have not been released in the Netherlands or have only reached a small audience.
How important are the volunteers?
Extremely important! Without volunteers, there simply wouldn’t be a festival. From the very beginning, Pluk has been organized and realized by countless volunteers who pour all their creativity and energy into the festival. From a week before the festival, the location is cleaned and transformed into an atmospheric festival location. For a few years now, Pluk can be found not only in Amsterdam but is also a regular fixture in Utrecht.
Is there more to do than watching films?
Definitely! Pluk de Nacht has grown into a special meeting place where the screening of previously unreleased films is mixed with art and new media projects, food, drinks, and parties. Pluk de Nacht provides a platform for various young artists, so there is much more to experience at the festival besides the films. Be surprised! In addition, we also have other entertainment: a bowling alley, giant mikado, and a ping-pong table.
I have another question!
If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to email us or send a message via WhatsApp. You can also call us: 0850041645. We hope to see you at Pluk this summer!