NLWave25 unveils 44-title strong line-up
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 also includes 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. It 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
- Confetti Rain (Michiel van Erp) De Familie
- The Eighth Continent (Luuk Bouwman), Scenery (D)
- Fosfor (Yfke van Berckelaer) Make Way Film
- Hanneke & Fiet (Mischa Kamp) NL Film & TV
- Happy Days (Floor van der Meulen) Keplerfilm
- Headless Trees (Sara Rajaei) Near By Film (D)
- I’m Not a Robot (Victoria Warmerdam) Oak Motion Pictures
- Kittens (Nova van Dijk) Studio Ruba
- Legoland (Esther Rots) Isabella Films
- Little Lost Things (Robert-Jonathan Koeyers) Valk Productions (D)
- Maalstroom (Teddy Cherim) Graniet Film
- Möbius (Richard Raaphorst) Holland Harbour
- Paradiso (Martijn Maria Smits) Conijn Films
- pink & green (Rory Pilgrim) Smarthouse Films
- The Possessed (Ena Sendijarević) Studio Ruba
- Seasons of Resilience (Marjolein Busstra) 100% Film (D)
- Storms Named After Women (Isabel Lamberti) Circe Film
- Through the Eye of the Falcon (Sakir Khader) Mint Film Office (D)
- Tina Town (David-Jan Bronsgeest) PRPL
- Young Vincent (Jean van de Velde) Submarine Animation (A)
NLWave25 work in progress
- Al Baraneya (Ashgan El-Hamus) Baldr Film
- Big Dreams (Louis Hothothot) Witfilm (D)
- Get Up Stand Up (Mari Sanders) The Film Kitchen
- In Alaska (Jaap van Heusden and Vinnie Karetak) IJswater Films
- In Your Shadow (Tom Fassaert and Thabi Mooi) Een van de jongens (D)
- King (Mascha Halberstad) Viking Film (A)
- Lost Son (Edson da Conceicao) IJswater Films
- Sanda Dia (Miriam Guttmann) Tomtit Film (D)
- The Souls (Tallulah Schwab) PRPL
- Sugar (Amira Duynhouwer) Studio Ruba
- Still City (Menno Otten) Een van de jongens (D)
- Youri (Sander Burger) Volya Films
NLWave25 screenings
- Between Brothers (Tom Fassaert) Een van de jongens (D)
- Club Heaven (Jona Honer) Submarine Productions (D)
- Donkey Days (Rosanne Pel) Family Affair Films
- A Family (Mees Peijnenburg) Juliet at Pupkin
- First Zone (Thom Lunshof) Makaki Productions
- Joe Speedboat (Sam de Jong) Baldr Film
- Our Girls (Mike van Diem) Keplerfilm
- Paikar (Dawood Hilmandi) Baldr Film (D)
- Reedland (Sven Bresser) Viking Film
- Treat Her Like A Lady (Paloma Aguilera Valdebenito) Topkapi Films
- Truly Naked (Muriel d’Ansembourg) Isabella Films
- Twinkle Twinkle Little Elephant (Meikeminne Clinckspoor) 100% Film
Contact Marieke van Zalk at The Netherlands Film Fund for to receive more information on NLWave
Christian De Schutter
