Laurens Korteweg becomes new Business Director

Amsterdam, 13-07-2023

Laurens Korteweg will start as Business Director at Movies that Matter from 1 September. With Margje de Koning, he will head the organisation behind one of the world’s leading human rights film festivals. Korteweg previously worked as Director Exhibitions at World Press Photo. He succeeds Ali Remmelts, who left the organisation last June, after 15 years.

Text: Editorial team

Laurens Korteweg has worked at World Press Photo for the past ten years, with the last seven as Director of Exhibitions responsible for both the business and content side of the global exhibition tour. He also works as a strategic advisor at the Photography Ethics Centre. He lives in Amsterdam with his wife and two children.

Margje de Koning, Artistic Director:
“Because of his background at World Press Photo, Laurens understands like no other the power and impact of images and stories. His great financial knowledge combined with a heart for human rights, fits perfectly with the rest of the organisation. I am confident that Laurens can provide the right impetus to anchor Movies that Matter even more firmly in the international arena of human rights in the years to come”.

Laurens Korteweg, incoming Business Director:
“I tremendously look forward to working with Margje and the team to continue the wonderful work of Movies that Matter. I admire the organisation for how successfully it operates at the intersection of film and human rights; with great respect for both the creators and the complexity of their work.”

Lilian Gonçalves-Ho Kang You, Chair of the Supervisory Board:
“The Supervisory Board is very pleased with Laurens’ appointment. We believe he has the élan, the right experience and qualities to lead the organisation on a business level and perpetuate it for the future. In addition, we also see in him an excellent substantive sparring partner for Margje and the rest of the team.”