Tantalum
TITLE
Tantalum
DIRECTOR
Matthias De Groof
COUNTRY
Belgium, Brazil, Congo
YEAR
2026
DURATION
17′
GENRE
Documentary
Tantalum
A chunk of tantalum - commonly known as coltan, mined in eastern Congo – travels, through absurd detours, to space. Along the way we discover the connections to mythology, children, technology and colonisation in a critical and satirical reflection on political and economic systems.
DIRECTOR BIOGRAPHY - Matthias De Groof
Matthias De Groof is a Belgian filmmaker. He has a masters in Philosophy and a PhD in Film Studies (NYU, University of Antwerp). Matthias’ films include Under The White Mask (2020), Palimpsest of the Africa Museum (2019), and Lobi Kuna (2018). His award-winning work has screened internationally at festivals like Berlinale and IFFR, as well as The New York Times’ Op-Docs. Matthias also teaches film criticism and scriptwriting at the University of Antwerp.
- DirectorMatthias De Groof
- Screenplay Matthias De Groof , Erickey Bahati XY93
- Cinematography
- CastBen Tanghe, Eveline Vandevelde, Byamana Sebazungu Kabasele, Cherie Muhima, Djino Lumumba, Vick Pitene, Llekileyo Byamana, Naizuri Byamana, Tchiba Nzobo Grand-Pere, Annie Mahamba, Neema Murhambo, Joviane Chanda, Petit Faustin, Kayson Kasika, Hergé Bauma Balekage, Tchik Tchak the Thundermonkey
- EditingJoost Prins and Sebastien Demeffe (advisor)
- Producer/s Daniel De Valck, Petna Ndaliko Katondolo, Sarah Aimê, Julia Nicolescu
- Production Company
- Distributor/s
- Project TitleTantalum
- Project Type Documentary
- Completion Date25 Jan 2026
- Country of originBelgium, Brazil, Congo
- Country of filmingBelgium, Brazil, Congo
- LanguageFrench, Portuguese, Swahili
- First-time Filmmaker No
- Student ProjectNo
Matthias De Groof
Matthias De Groof is a Belgian filmmaker. He has a masters in Philosophy and a PhD in Film Studies (NYU, University of Antwerp). Matthias’ films include Under The White Mask (2020), Palimpsest of the Africa Museum (2019), and Lobi Kuna (2018). His award-winning work has screened internationally at festivals like Berlinale and IFFR, as well as The New York Times’ Op-Docs. Matthias also teaches film criticism and scriptwriting at the University of Antwerp.
BIM Award for best film on environmental themes BREF – International Film Festival
BIM Award for best film on environmental themes
Italy
Winner of the Belgian Shorts (Afrika Film Festival)
Leuven
National Competition
Belgium
Brussels Short Film Festival
Brussels
National Competition
Belgium
Kortfilmfestival Leuven
Leuven
National Competition
Belgium
Clermont-Ferrand
Short Film Market
Vision du Réel
Film Market
Cannes
ShortFilmCorner
imagineNATIVE Film & Media Arts Festival
Médiathèque
Internationale Kurzfilmtage Oberhausen
VideoLibrary
