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NLWave25 unveils strong line-up of 44 titles

The first edition of NLWave25 is about to kick off and will offer a select number of international sales executives and festival curators an exclusive first look at the latest cinematic gems and talents from the Netherlands. The programme unveils a strong, carefully curated line-up of 44 titles, including early stage projects, works in progress and recently completed films and documentaries. NLWave25 will take place from September 24-26 in Utrecht, on the eve of the Netherlands Film Festival.

The line-up reflects fresh, bold storytelling from the Netherlands featuring both new voices and established directors. Among the highlights are new projects by Academy Award©-winner Victoria Warmerdam (I’m not a Robot) and IDFA-award winner Luuk Bouwman (The Propagandist), as well as new work by Mascha Halberstad (Oink, Fox and Hare Save the Forest), Tallulah Schwab (Mr. K), Floor van der Meulen (Pink Moon) and Ena Sendijarević (Sweet Dreams). The programme will also include Sven Bresser’s Reedland, earlier this year selected for Cannes and now The Netherlands’ official entry for the 2026 Oscar race. A full list of participating filmmakers can be found at the end of this release.

NLWave25 is an initiative by the Netherlands Film Fund, in collaboration with SEE NL and Eye Filmmuseum, aiming to spotlight new and upcoming Dutch feature-length films, documentaries and animation. This is a showcase platform designed to introduce these titles to international professionals at an early stage, and at the same time creating opportunities for direct interaction between the industry professionals and the filmmakers.

NLWave - The Line-up

Title - Director - Main Producer (D=documentary; A=animation)

NLWave25 project pitches

  • Big Dreams (director/screenplay: Louis Hothothot) Witfilm (D)
  • Confetti Rain (director: Michiel van Erp, screenplay: Han van Wieringen) De Familie
  • The Eighth Continent (director/screenplay: Luuk Bouwman & Tomas Kaan), Scenery (D)
  • Fosfor (director/screenplay: Yfke van Berckelaer) Make Way Film
  • Hanneke & Fiet (director: Mischa Kamp, screenplay: Tamara Bos) NL Film & TV
  • Happy Days (director: Floor van der Meulen, screenplay: Floor van der Meulen & Bastiaan Kroeger) Keplerfilm
  • Headless Trees (director/screenplay: Sara Rajaei) near/by film
  • I’m Not a Robot (director/screenplay: Victoria Warmerdam) OAK Motion Pictures
  • Kittens (director: Nova van Dijk, screenplay: Laura van Dijk) Studio Ruba
  • Maalstroom (director/screenplay: Teddy Cherim) Graniet Film
  • Möbius (director: Richard Raaphorst, screenplay: Eron Sheean & Nadadja Kemper) Holland Harbour
  • Near Far Up (side) Down (director/screenplay: Esther Rots) Isabella Films & Rots Filmwerk
  • Paradiso (director/screenplay: Martijn Maria Smits) Conijn Films
  • pink & green (director/screenplay: Rory Pilgrim) Smarthouse Films
  • The Possessed (director/screenplay: Ena Sendijarević) Studio Ruba
  • Storms Named After Women (director/screenplay: Isabel Lamberti) Circe Films & Kaap Holland Film
  • Through the Eye of the Falcon (director/screenplay: Sakir Khader) Mint Film Office (D)
  • TINA Town (director: David-Jan Bronsgeest, screenplay: Roy Seerden) PRPL
  • Young Vincent (director: Jean van de Velde, screenplay: Fabie Hulsebos) Submarine Animation (A)

NLWave25 work in progress

  • Al Baraneya (director: Ashgan El-Hamus, screenplay: Ashgan El-Hamus & Roelof Jan Minneboo) Baldr Film
  • Get Up Stand Up (director/screenplay: Mari Sanders) The Film Kitchen
  • House of Hope (director/screenplay: Marjolein Busstra) 100% Film (D)
  • In Alaska (director/screenplay: Jaap van Heusden & Vinnie Karetak) IJswater Films
  • In Your Shadow (director/screenplay: Tom Fassaert & Thabi Mooi) Een van de jongens (D)
  • King (director: Mascha Halberstad, screenplay: Mieke de Jong) Viking Film (A)
  • Little Lost Things (director/screenplay: Robert-Jonathan Koeyers) Valk Productions (D)
  • Lost Son (director: Edson da Conceicao, screenplay: Philip Delmaar) IJswater Films
  • Sanda Dia (director/screenplay: Miriam Guttmann) Tomtit Film (D)
  • The Souls (director: Tallulah H. Schwab, screenplay: Gerry de Hoogh) PRPL
  • Sugar (director/screenplay: Amira Duynhouwer) Studio Ruba
  • Still City (director/screenplay: Menno Otten) Een van de jongens (D)
  • YOURI (director: Sander Burger, screenplay: Bastiaan Tichler & Sander Burger) Volya Films

NLWave25 screenings

  • Between Brothers (director/screenplay: Tom Fassaert) Een van de jongens (D)
  • Club Heaven (director/screenplay: Jona Honer) Submarine Productions (D)
  • Donkey Days (director/screenplay: Rosanne Pel) Family Affair Films
  • A Family (director: Mees Peijnenburg, screenplay: Bastiaan Kroeger & Mees Peijnenburg) Juliet at Pupkin
  • First Zone (director: Thom Lunshof, screenplay: Sam Dijkstra & Thom Lunshof) Makaki Productions
  • Joe Speedboat (director: Sam de Jong, screenplay: Jan Eilander & Daniel Samkalden) Baldr Film
  • Our Girls (director/screenplay: Mike van Diem) Keplerfilm
  • Paikar (director/screenplay: Dawood Hilmandi) Baldr Film (D)
  • Reedland (director/screenplay: Sven Bresser) Viking Film
  • Treat Her Like A Lady (director/screenplay: Paloma Aguilera Valdebenito) Topkapi Films
  • Truly Naked (director/screenplay: Muriel d’Ansembourg) Isabella Films
  • Twinkle Twinkle Little Elephant (director: Meikeminne Clinckspoor, screenplay: Tijs van Marle & Meikeminne Clinckspoor) 100% Film