In 2026, the BUDA arts centre will celebrate its 20th anniversary, and we will be celebrating this milestone throughout the year, on the 20th of each month. The first event will be on 20 January 2026 for a New Year’s drink!

At 6 p.m., we will gather with our volunteers for a private reception.
From 8 p.m., everyone is welcome to come and watch Melissa Mabesoone’s comedy short film Maturation Station, followed by a toast to the new year.

About Maturation Station

The daily routine of shrimp farmer Theo is disrupted during preparations for an important conference on the blue economy. Together with her colleagues, she rehearses a presentation in which she demonstrates how overseas shrimp farmers apply the technique of harvest stem removal – a controversial method that turns female shrimp into reproductive machines without a voice of their own. While Theo also takes on the care of her sister’s child, she begins to doubt her own role and influence. Gradually, she becomes increasingly entangled with the perspective of the shrimp themselves.

After its world premiere at the Ostend Film Festival in 2025, the film recently won the Best Narrative Short award at the Blue Water Film Festival in California.

The Twenties

So every 20th of the month, you can expect something. Sometimes a little surprise, other times an exuberant party. Curious about the next twentieths? Keep an eye on us!