Meet the participants of IDFA Project Space NL 2024

Last week marked the start of IDFA Project Space NL 2024, the annual training program for emerging Dutch-language documentary filmmakers. Over the coming months, six selected talents will develop their projects under the guidance of experienced filmmakers. This year, visual artist and director Marjoleine Boonstra, along with screenwriter and director Beri Shalmashi, are joined by guest lecturers to share their expertise.

At the conclusion of this intensive program, participants will present their work alongside international counterparts to professionals including Dutch public broadcasters. An independent jury will award one filmmaker with the NPO Documentary Talent Award, which includes a grant of up to €25,000 from the NPO Fund for further project development.

Maintaining an international perspective remains a key component of this year's program. Since 2021, IDFA Project Space has expanded to include elements from the international arena, providing participants with enhanced opportunities at IDFA's global markets to network with filmmakers from around the world. Last week marked the kickoff of the 2024 program. During the international IDFA Project Space program at Het Documentaire Paviljoen, participants from IDFA Project Space NL attended various filmmakers talks and screenings alongside their international peers.

Meet the six participants below.

"I am fascinated by the complexity of human relationships and the way personal stories intertwine with larger societal and cultural themes. Documentary films offer a powerful medium to uncover hidden truths and promote deeper empathy and understanding. My greatest inspirations are filmmakers like Werner Herzog and Errol Morris, as well as my own family history and the stories of migrants and minorities.

During IPS NL, I am most looking forward to the opportunity to further develop and refine my project Onze Vaders through intensive feedback sessions and workshops. I am eager to hear my colleagues' and mentors' reactions to my film plan. I expect to learn a great deal from the diverse perspectives and experiences of the other participants and mentors, particularly how they tackle the challenges of telling personal stories within a broader societal context."

Andreas van de Laar is a documentary filmmaker renowned for his profound films on migration, integration, and cultural identities. With a Dutch mother and Moroccan father, he explores complex cultural relationships and personal narratives. His latest project, Onze Vaders blends documentary techniques with AI to tell a personal story about his father.

"Sometimes you only realise afterwards why you do what you do. I have a strong drive to bring my current film project to fruition. I draw a lot of inspiration from the resilience of people in a sometimes incomprehensible world. There is so much beauty and cruelty in the world, yet people continue to laugh and persevere. I find that wonderful to see. During IPS NL, I am most looking forward to the inspiration sessions with crew members who aren't always in the spotlight. There are so many creative people involved in making a film, and I hope that we, as new creators, can ensure they receive more attention and time during the process. What do I expect to learn from each other? Everything I don't yet know that I don't know. Piece of cake, right?"

Michelle Krevetzky is an Amsterdam-based creator and producer. With over eight years of experience in the creative industry as a Project Lead & Producer, she is now embarking on her first documentary film.

"My primary motivation for making documentary films stems from a curiosity about people and their experiences. It's the blend of exploration and creation that I find so compelling. Documentaries offer a unique connection with the individuals you film and opportunities that often elude both fiction and everyday life. Films have the power to offer audiences a different perspective on reality, enriching both viewers and myself.

My inspiration comes from various sources, often specific films—both documentaries and fiction—that embody playfulness, serenity, intensity, and poetic depth. When making a film, I immerse myself in reading and seek out paintings that align thematically with my ideas. Ultimately, it's the people I film who inspire me most, shaping the direction of the film.

During IPS NL, I look forward to discovering the forms our plans will take and how they will evolve. Hearing about others' experiences is always inspiring. I expect to learn a great deal from each other's different plans, approaches, and shared experiences, alongside the insights from coaches and guest speakers."

Hannah van Tassel studied Theater, Film, and Television Studies at Utrecht University, followed by a degree in Documentary Directing from the Netherlands Film Academy in 2019. Hannah creates poetic documentaries exploring ubiquitous yet elusive subjects such as sleep, insomnia, memories, and loss.

"My primary motivation for creating documentary films lies in my need for self-expression and to forge a connection with the 'real' world. Documentaries provide both my voice and that of others with clarity and significance.

I draw immense inspiration from films such as Morgan Knibbe's Those Who Feel The Fire Burning, which showcases the power of subjectivity in documentaries, and B-Movie: Lust & Sound in West-Berlin 1979-1989, known for its playful blend of fiction and non-fiction. I also admire Barbara den Uyl's Waar de Ratten Koningen Zijn, highlighting the importance of squatting films in Amsterdam.

During IPS NL, I am eager to commence filming with a strong concept and then proceed to edit the teaser. I anticipate learning a great deal by observing fellow documentary makers, as I have never before had the opportunity to witness firsthand how others develop documentaries. This experience alone will serve as an enlightening mirror for me."

Yannesh is a self-taught filmmaker and organizer from Amsterdam. He creates socio-poetic works driven by a desire for community, urban resistance, and dreams. His debut documentary film, 'Hotel Mokum,' premiered worldwide at IDFA '23 in the Frontlight section.

It all starts with a genuine interest in people and their stories. It's beautiful to highlight ordinary individuals who sometimes do extraordinary things. Through documentaries, you can get very close, both as a viewer and as a creator. You establish a personal connection with everyday characters and subjects. A documentary can touch someone in a simple and intimate way, prompting them to contemplate the themes of the story, thus enriching their perspective and awareness. For me, love, connection, trust, and authenticity are paramount. This entails a love for the subject, creating a bond between the maker and the subject, and connecting the viewer with the subject. This can only happen if the maker is sincere and honest about their intentions, thereby earning trust.

During IPS NL, I look forward to collaborating with mentors and fellow participants. Since graduating from HKU, I have been eager to grow both as a filmmaker and as an individual. This inspiring environment offers an opportunity to hone my craftsmanship and navigate the world of film. Working in a team with like-minded individuals will be a catalyst for inspiration and creativity. I can't wait to get started.

Freek de Goeje graduated from HKU as a filmmaker specializing in audiovisual and media. He is a writer, director, and producer. In the summer of 2022, he ventured to the summit of the De Goeje Mountains and documented his journey in the film "The Toemoek Hoemak Expedition." His book "Een berg die mijn naam draagt" was released last September.

"For me, creating documentaries is the perfect way to channel an endless curiosity and wonder about the world around us. Making or watching a documentary offers a rare opportunity to focus intently on one subject, one arena, one person, or one idea. In our fast-paced world, that's quite unique. My greatest inspiration is my sister. She was, and still is, an exceptional visual artist who naturally possessed the art of observation. When I make films, I strive to observe as independently, unbiasedly, and boundlessly as she did.

Being an emerging filmmaker can sometimes be lonely. Therefore, I am most looking forward to the opportunity to delve into each other's plans, think critically, and provide feedback. I am already grateful for the chance to elevate each project together. I hope that through each other's insights, we gain new perspectives on our work. We will undoubtedly inspire each other immensely, as it is already happening."

Siu Ki (Kiki) Ho is a documentary filmmaker and mental health activist from Amsterdam. Kiki is fascinated by capturing abstractions and seeks to explore larger issues through small, personal stories. Her recent work focuses on the post-colonial relationship between Suriname and the Netherlands.

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Tutors

Marjoleine Boonstra is a Dutch film director and cinematographer with over 25 years of experience. Her award-winning work, known for its poetic visual style and compassionate perspective, has been featured at international festivals, museums, and galleries. She has created numerous documentaries, a feature film, and video installations for modern museums. Focused on human life and resilience, she served 20 years as a director at HUMAN, was a mentor at the Netherlands Film Academy, and a jury member and tutor at IDFA in 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2024.

Beri Shalmashi is a screenwriter and director. She graduated from the Netherlands Film Academy and earned her MA at the Utrecht School of the Arts. Shalmashi’s single play Mama was nominated for a Gouden Kalf, and she won the prestigious Zilveren Camera for Storytelling with Big Village. Last year, she created the episode On the Edge of the Revolution for VPRO's Frontline, focusing on the revolution in Iran. She wrote the screenplay for the television film Casting Call, recently broadcast by AVROTROS. Shalmashi regularly teaches at various film schools, works as an advisor for the Netherlands Film Fund, and is the director of the programming bureau Avanti. She was tutor of IDFA Project Space in 2021, 2023 en 2024.