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30 Jan – 9 Feb 2025

Pulling Focus: NL 2025 

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On Tuesday 4 February, IFFR Pro is pulling Dutch filmmaking talent into focus with a day dedicated to exploring the global influence of Dutch cinematic creativity. Join us also to uncover the innovations, tools and filmmaking uses of artificial intelligence being offered up by some of the leading developers in the field.

Tuesday 4 February, 9.30 – 17.45, Willem Burger Zaal, ‘de Doelen’, open for Pro, CineMart and Student delegates.

Film still: Sweet Dreams by Ena Sendijarević, featuring actress Renée Soutendijk (right)

Dutch talent in focus

The programme opens with a conversation between director Ena Sendijarević (Take Me Somewhere Nice, Sweet Dreams) and legendary actress Renée Soutendijk (Paul Verhoeven’s Spetters and The 4th Man, Luca Guadanino’s Suspiria, Sendijarević’s Sweet Dreams) moderated by Artistic Director of the Locarno Film festival, Giona Nazzaro. 

This will be followed by a panel session comprised of mini case-studies of recent Dutch co-production successes that have been selected in the past year for Sundance, Cannes, Venice and Locarno, Moderated by Jacobine ven der Vloed of ACE Producers, the panel will include Elene Havenith,  Erik Glijnis from Lemming Film, Denis Vaslin of Volya Films, and Ineke Smits from GoGoFilm. 

What does an AI future look like for filmmakers?

In the afternoon, we’ll explore some of the AI tools and opportunities which are already re-shaping  the future of film. Software developers, filmmaking practitioners and experts in the field will unfold and debate this fast-moving new technology.

Join us to celebrate, explore, and push the boundaries of Dutch filmmaking on both the national and international stages!

Programme outline

Opening Session: Giona Nazzaro In Conversation with Ena Sendijarević and Renée Soutendijk

9.45 – 11.00

The day begins with a moderated dialogue between two renowned Dutch filmmaking talents: director Ena Sendijarević (Take Me Somewhere Nice, Sweet Dreams) and the multi-award-winning acting legend Renée Soutendijk. Giona Nazzaro, Artistic Director of Locarno Film Festival where Sweet Dreams had its world premiere in 2022 and Soutendijk won the Golden Leopard for best actress, will moderate. 

Probably the Best Co-Producers in the World?

11.30 – 12.45

The panel will feature a lineup of experienced co-producers from the Netherlands discussing their recent successes, each of them having walked a red carpet with these films in Sundance, Cannes, Venice and Locarno 2024: Ellen Havenith (Tiger Stripes by Amanda Nell Eu), Erik Glijnis (Sebastian by Mikko Makela), Denis Vaslin (Youth: Trilogy by Wang Bing, IFFR 2025), and Ineke Smits (Holy Electricity by Tato Kotetishvili, IFFR 2025). 

The session will be moderated by Jacobine van der Vloed, Director and Head of Studies of ACE Producers.

Taming the Tiger: Harnessing AI for Film 

14.15 – 15.45

Moderated by Sten Christian Saluveer of Cannes Next and Wonsun Shin of Hanmac Culture Group, the discussion will feature a keynote presentation from esteemed AI strategist Matthew Blakemore: CEO of AI Caramba! And ‘AI and New Tech Expert’ at VRT. Blakemore has earned over 20+ awards for his AI-generated films, including ‘Best Futurist Filmmaker’ at Cannes and ‘Best AI Film Director’ in New York. IFFR Tiger Shorts Competition producers Anna Giralt Gris & Jorge Caballero will discuss how AI was used in the creation of their film The Rock Speaks. Joshua Dedman from Olsberg SPI will share his in-depth knowledge of the ever evolving AI field in Europe and beyond.

Cutting Through the Noise: What AI Can Bring to Your Project

16.15 – 17.45

Saluveer and Shin will moderate roundtable discussions with Sami Arpa from Swiss tech company Largo AI who will deliver AI evaluations of projects from CineMart 2025 filmmakers on the potential of AI to deepen their understanding of their film, its packaging  and market potential. The discussion will feature,  from the Philippines Carl Joseph Papa, director of Rotoscope animation film Sentinel, alongside producer Geo Lomuntad. Joining them will be Rioghnach Ní Ghrioghair, director of cannibal genre film MEAT, together with producer Deirdre Levins from Ireland.

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