Young talent

The Netherlands Film Fund (Nederlands Filmfonds) provides subsidies to both acclaimed and beginning filmmakers. It is a body subsidised by the government and part of the cultural basic infrastructure. In addition, the Netherlands Film Fund is responsible, together with the Eye Film Institute, for increasing awareness and visibility of Dutch films abroad. SEE NL was set up for this purpose.

There are many opportunities for financing within the Netherlands Film Fund for new filmmakers. These schemes change regularly. Therefore check their page about talent development (Talentontwikkeling, in Dutch). On their page Funding options you can find more subsidy possibilities. (Go to their Dutch page to see more options.) Do you need help? Do not hesitate to ask for advice from a film consultant; that’s what they’re there for.

The NPO-fonds (NPO-fund) is the fund behind the Nederlandse Publieke Omroep (Dutch Public Broadaster, NPO). There are various schemes for talent development within Video Fiction and Video Documentary. In addition, the NPO offers an interesting five-month development program for creative audio makers. Check their website NPO-fonds for the most up-to-date information.

• 3LAB
  Is viewed as the testing ground of the NPO, where talented filmmakers are given the chance to develop their online drama series, short documentaries or non-fiction formats and in that way to continue to grow within the public broadcaster.

VPRO Dorst
Dorst is the place within the VPRO for young makers with new ideas. You can come here with ideas for small online productions, a request for help and your ambitions.

ACE Producers
ACE Producers has designed and developed an ACE mentor programme in collaboration with the Netherlands Film Fund and Creative Europe Media. Young European producers who have a few years’ work experience are given support with managing their career and developing their international network. They are given the opportunity to learn from established mentors who are active in the European film industry. The programme welcomes producers who work in fiction, animation and documentary.

VERS
VERS is an important platform for bringing together, stimulating and activating young, beginning filmmakers. Audiovisual students can become a member free of charge. As a member, you can go to various events, masterclasses and networking events to meet other filmmakers and film students. The website also has a ‘Vraag & Aanbod’ (Supply & Demand) page where you can place your notice, for example, for new crew members.

De Ontmoeting / Aware / De Klik
De Ontmoeting gives young filmmakers the opportunity to make a short film or come into contact with established parties in the industry. Different professional film companies or bodies select the projects every year.

Interesting initiatives can also be found regionally, such as the talent development opportunity NEXT in Eindhoven. Limburg even has its own fund: the Limburgs Film Fund. You will also find the film hub Cinesud in Limburg, where there are many opportunities for young and established filmmakers. In addition, there are many other funds, which young filmmakers often rely on. For example, the Cultuurfonds, the Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst (AFK) and Fonds 21.

One final tip: Are you going to shoot in a big city? Ask for advice from the municipality, because you may have overlooked a small urban fund that you can still write to, as every large Dutch city has a film consultant.