About us

Education and Inspiration

Dutch Vintage Animation is the ultimate online resource for lovers of classic animation and (aspiring) animators. On this website, you’ll find carefully selected quotes, technical analyses, and in-depth insights from historical animated films. Not just to admire, but specifically to learn from.
Many of these films are timeless. They demonstrate how craftsmanship, creativity, and technology come together—and why the work of Joop Geesink’s Dollywood remains relevant to contemporary creators.

The mission: making heritage visible

Dutch Vintage Animation was founded by Arie den Draak out of a deep-rooted passion for animated film, with a special focus on the work of Joop Geesink. Around the 100th anniversary of Geesink’s birth in 2013, it became painfully clear how limited the available information about this Dutch film pioneer was. That moment marked the starting point of a clear mission: to make knowledge about Geesink’s work—now recognized as national cultural heritage—accessible. This website brings that heritage together, interprets it, and places it in a broader (international) context. The initiative is entirely private, but it has been warmly welcomed by Louise Geesink, the daughter of Joop Geesink, who continues her father’s work to this day.

First Encounter with Dollywood

My fascination with Dollywood stemmed from a special experience: during a rain-soaked youth event in the early 1970s, several Dollywood films were screened, including *strong* and *A Dream Comes True*/strong. The power of these productions made an immediate impression and marked the beginning of a lasting interest.
What began as wonder grew into an in-depth study of technique, style, and narrative form within Dutch puppet animation.

Louise Geesink (center) speaks with Arie den Draak (left)

Upon request, Arie den Draak gives lectures on the work of Joop Geesink.
Please contact us if you are interested.

Locatie Geesink Studio's in Nederhorst den Berg. (1973)

The adventure began with this letter from Joop Geesink Artists. (1973)

Arie den Draak explains the production processes at Dollywood (EYE, 2024)

From Experiment to Practical Experience

The foundation for this expertise was laid early on. In their youth, Arie and his brother Huibert experimented with Super 8 films and homemade puppets. Their curiosity led them directly to Joop Geesink in 1973, with specific technical questions. (see image of letter) This led to a valuable exchange of knowledge and practical experience. Visits to the studio in 1973 and conversations with key figures such as animator Cor Icke and puppet maker Harry Tolsma provided unique insight into Dollywood’s working methods. Animators Pieter Merkx and Jan Bouwman, as well as puppet maker Ton Foederer, also proved to be valuable sources of knowledge. This direct line of communication with the creators themselves continues to form an important foundation for the content and reliability of this website to this day. Professional Animation Practice

In 1986, Arie and Huibert started their own film studio, Den Draak Filmproducties. Both brothers had worked in animated film for many years. Between 1986 and 2000, they ran their own film studio, which had been founded by Huibert (1957). The studio (Den Draak Filmproducties) produced stop-motion films, animated films, and occasionally live-action films. It was the first stop-motion studio to use computers on a modest scale: initially for animation, and later a robotic arm for 3D camera work. Brother Huibert emigrated to Canada, and Arie continued the studio with numerous freelancers.

A distinct vision alongside Dollywood

Although a certain degree of competition with Geesink’s studio arose unintentionally, the ambition lay elsewhere: creating independent, artistic animated films, financed by commercial commissions.

A good example of this is $ave Your Soul and Buy My Song (1993), a film that both offers a satirical nod to charity projects and pays homage to the Dollywood tradition. A special detail: the renowned puppet maker Harry Tolsma contributed to this production, despite having retired.