NLWave25 unveils strong line-up of 44 titles
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 will also include 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. This 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 Films
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
Sanda Dia (Miriam Guttmann) Tomtit Film (D)
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
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 (A)