Mercedes Stalenhoef

Mercedes STALENHOEF grew up in Arnhem and studied art history at Leiden University. She then made short documentaries for Amnesty International and various broadcasters. She subsequently made several award-winning feature-length documentaries. Her debut Ik wil nooit beroemd worden (2005) won a Golden Calf at the Netherlands Film Festival after its success at IDFA. In 2008, her film Carmen meets Borat became an international success after its IDFA premiere, winning Best Documentary in St. Petersburg, Lessinia and Minsk. The film was the official Dutch entry at the Oscars. The documentary Karsu followed in 2012 and was also selected by IDFA and international film festivals. In 2023, her documentary Mijn grote broer premiered at the Movies that Matter Film Festival. She won the Movies that Matter Award and also another Golden Calf at the Netherlands Film Festival. Her first fiction film I Shall See (2024) premieres at IFFR 2025. 

Filmography

Ik wil nooit beroemd (2005, doc), Het is mijn leven (2007, doc), Carmen meets Borat (2008, doc), KARSU (2012, doc), Ik hoor hier niet thuis (2018, doc), Mijn grote broer (2023, doc), Ik zal zien/I Shall See (2024)