NLWave26 unveils 35-strong selection of new Dutch projects

This year’s second edition of NLWave presents a curated selection of 35 Dutch projects, ranging from early‑stage projects to works in progress, to an international group of festival programmers, sales agents and distributors. The showcase runs from 30 September to 2 October in Utrecht, where it coincides with the closing of the Netherlands Film Festival.

This year’s edition presents a strong selection of projects from both emerging and established talent, including BAFTA-winner and Academy Award nominee Nina Gantz (Wander to Wonder, 2023), Steffen Haars (Krazy House, 2024) and Ena Sendijarević (Sweet Dreams, 2023). New work will also be presented by Suzanne Raes (Where Dragons Live, 2024 and Close to Vermeer, 2023), Robert‑Jonathan Koeyers (It’s Nice in Here, shortlisted for the 2023 Academy Awards©), Eché Janga (Buladó, 2020) and Renzo Martens (White Cube, 2020).

NLWave offers Dutch filmmakers the opportunity to bring their work to the attention of international industry professionals at an early stage and to build and strengthen valuable connections. Last year’s inaugural edition featured a number of titles that received their world premiere at such festivals as Venice (Al Baraneya at Venice Days), Toronto (In Alaska), Berlin (A Family, Truly Naked), Tribeca (Get Up), Rotterdam (Between Brothers, Treat Her Like a Lady), Edinburgh (First Zone), Visions du Réel (Club Heaven) and at IDFA (Paikar). Other 2025 titles are scheduled to bow at festivals in the months to come.

NLWave is an initiative of the Netherlands Film Fund in co‑operation with SEE NL.

Line- up NLWave26

NLWave26 Project Pitches

Deep Love by Sophie Dros (Sunny Pictures)
The Guy Who Loved Nickelback by Steffen Haars (Kaap Holland Film)
Kabul, Year Zero by Aboozar Amini (Silk Road Film Salon)
Maalstroom by Teddy Cherim (Graniet Film)
Marseille by Yim Brakel (Labyrint Film)
Meis by Boudewijn Koole (Witfilm)
Movies Showing Nowhere (Films Die Nergens Draaien) by Martijn de Jong (Family Affair Films)
Once Upon an Egg (Duifies) by Nina Gantz (Keplerfilm)
Paradise Morbid by David-Jan Bronsgeest (Bloodrave)
The Possessed by Ena Sendijarević (Studio Ruba)
Stairway to Earth by Finn Szumlas (Phanta Film)
Stardust (Sterrenstof) by Margien Rogaar (Bind & Willink)
We Are Light (Wij zijn Licht) by Malu Janssen (Family Affair Films)

NLWave26 Work in Progress

Campingflight to Paradise by Joosje Duk (100% Film)
Charlie the Tree Girl (Charlie het bomenmeisje) bij Sanne Vogel (IJswater Film)
Confetti Rain (Confettiregen) by Michiel van Erp (De Familie)
The Dawn of the Post Plantation by Renzo Martens (Scenery)
Fosfor by Yfke van Berckelaer (Make Way Film)
Idlib by Sakir Khader (Mint Film Office)
In Your Shadow by Tom Fassaert (Een van de Jongens)
Killabees by Eché Janga (Keplerfilm)
Kimchi & Potatoes (Kimchi en Kroketten) by Hyo Soon Kaag (Family Affair Films)
Little Lost Things by Robert-Jonathan Koeyers (Valk Producties)
The Return by Aliona van der Horst (Docmakers)
Nescio (Titaantjes) by Eugenie Jansen en Albert Elings (Paul Ruven)
Penjajah (Bad Guys) by Eva van Pelt (Bindfilm)
pink & green by Rory Pilgrim (Smarthouse)
Scrumple (Floddertje) by Jamille van Wijngaarden (Lemming Film)
Still City (De Verstilde Stad) by Menno Otten (Een van de Jongens)
Tahmina by Aboozar Amini (Silk Road Film Salon)
We Had A Plan by Suzanne Raes (Docmakers)
What Happened to My Country, What Happened to Me? by Myanmar Film Collective (ZIN Documentaire)
Whisky or Malboro by Reber Dosky (Stichting Royava Film)
The Woman Who Made Van Gogh Famous by Willemiek Kluijfhout (100% Doc)
The Year of the Ghost by Louis Hothothot (Pieter van Huystee Film)