Industry: The Mission of the New Maker

For students and filmmakers at the beginning of their careers, we present The Mission of the New Maker. An inspiring afternoon programme where we help you on your way to making and financing your film. 

The 2025 edition of The Mission of the new Maker explores the theme Be Brave and Be Safe.

The afternoon will kick of with Martin Fournier, (Lumière Lyon 2 University) & Casper de Gans (Wild Lam) who will present the project: Frames without Borders – 84-hour Film Project. In this unique filmmaking challenge, film students from Lyon (France) and Breda (Netherlands) teamed up to create compelling short films—all within just 84 hours. The shorts will be screened in the afternoon in Filmhuis den Haag, followed by a QnA.

The event will continue with three filmmakers—Lidija Zelovich, Malu Janssen, and Naomi White—who will tell more about their work and how they bring distinct perspectives and cinematic languages to pressing social and political issues. Through fiction and documentary, they tackle themes ranging from war and migration to gender-based violence and post-colonialism, questioning the role of filmmakers in today’s political climate. Their work sparks crucial discussions on bravery in storytelling, the challenges of female directors, and the balance between artistic expression and personal safety.   

The panel will be followed by sessions of round tables, where participants will have the chance to sit down with various Dutch parties. Confirmed participating organisations are NTR, NPA, Beeld en Geluid, VERS, Filmhub Zuid, NPO 3lab, NPO, NPO Docs, Creative Europe, Eo Docs, CineSud, Screentalent, VPRO, HUMAN, De Ontmoeting, Qissa, Netherlands Film Commission, Buddy Film Foundation, Filmfonds, SEENL, DAFF, Filmforward, Wild lam. If you are representing an organisation, broadcast or fund and wish to join the roundtables, please email us at industry@moviesthatmatter.nl.  

Programme
14:00 – 15:30 Panel 
15:30 – 15:45 Break 
15:45 – 17:00 Round tables 
17:15 – 18:00 Drinks

The programme is free to attend, but reservations are required. Before your visit, order a free ticket online and have it scanned at the venue. The programme is conducted in English.

In collaboration with CoBO Fund, Netherlands Film Festival and SEENL.