NLWave Sets Dates for 2026 Edition, Spotlighting the Next Wave of Dutch Talent
After a successful launch last year, NLWave, the showcase for upcoming feature films, documentaries and animation from the Netherlands, returns to Utrecht for its second edition on 1 and 2 October 2026.
Created by the Netherlands Film Fund in collaboration with SEE NL, NLWave champions “fresh and bold” Dutch storytelling for an international industry audience. Festival programmers, sales agents and other global professionals are invited to discover a vibrant mix of genres, from drama and documentary to cutting‑edge animation. The platform aims to elevate both emerging voices and established filmmakers, offering a curated look at the country’s most promising works in development or production.
The inaugural 2025 edition in Utrecht set the tone, presenting titles such as Muriel d’Ansembourg’s debut feature Truly Naked and A Family by Mees Peijnenburg - both of which are celebrating their world premieres at this year’s Berlinale.
Spread across the various sections of the festival — from Berlinale Shorts to the Competition — the Dutch selection in Berlin also includes eight other Dutch (co-)productions, as well as eight screenings at the European Film Market. In addition, the Berlinale Co-Production Market welcomes the Dutch drama series project Jomanda!, written by Thomas van der Ree, directed by Joram Lürsen, and produced by Lemming Film.
Dutch filmmaking talent is also represented in the festival’s professional programmes: filmmakers Stijn Bouma and Emma Branderhorst have been selected for Berlinale Talents, and actor Joes Brauers - soon to appear in Sander Burger’s Youri - has been named one of European Shooting Stars 2026.
With its 2026 edition now confirmed, NLWave continues to build momentum as a key platform for showcasing the creative breadth and international potential of Dutch cinema.
for more information: Nederlands Filmfonds, Marieke van Zalk, m.vanzalk@filmfonds.nl
Christian De Schutter
