🎬 Special Guest: Aaron Rookus – April 1

We are excited to welcome director and writer Aaron Rookus to Shortcutz Amsterdam on April 1!

Aaron joins us to talk about his latest feature film Idyllic (2025), his creative journey from award-winning shorts to major festival premieres, and how he carved his path into the industry. From Goodbye Stranger to his acclaimed TV work and his role as a lecturer at HKU, Aaron brings a rich and thoughtful perspective on storytelling in film.

🎬 Special Guest: Norbert ter Hall – April 8

We’re excited to welcome acclaimed director Norbert ter Hall to Shortcutz Amsterdam on April 8!

Known for his celebrated work in Dutch film and television—including the award-winning series A'dam - E.V.A. (2011-2016) and the award-winning features The Promise of Pisa (2019), Mi Vida (2019) —Norbert will join us to talk about his career, creative process, and long-standing impact on the industry. ✨ For the first time ever, we’ll also screen his very first short film, which he just completed. Though his career spans decades, this marks his official debut in the short film format—and we’re honoured to host it.

🎬 Special Guest: Nazmiye Oral – April 15

We are honoured to welcome award-winning actress and writer Nazmiye Oral to Shortcutz Amsterdam on April 15!

Nazmiye joins us to talk about her latest international role in Den of Thieves: Pantera (2025), her remarkable career across film, television, and theatre, and what’s next on her horizon. From starring alongside Gerard Butler to creating powerful performances with Female Economy, Nazmiye has built a diverse and inspiring body of work that resonates with audiences both locally and abroad.

🎬 Special Guest: Bobby Boermans – April 22

We are delighted to welcome acclaimed Dutch director and producer Bobby Boermans to Shortcutz Amsterdam on April 22!

Bobby will join us to discuss his latest feature film, iHostage (2025), a gripping thriller for Netflix inspired by the 2022 hostage crisis at Amsterdam's Apple Store. Known for his innovative storytelling in films like Claustrofobia (2011) and APP (2013), and acclaimed series such as Mocro Maffia and The Golden Hour.

🎬 Session Takeover: Elixer – April 29

On April 29, Shortcutz Amsterdam proudly presents a Session Takeover with the cast and crew of the acclaimed TV series Elixer!

Just one day before the final episode airs on April 30, we’re thrilled to host an exclusive behind-the-scenes evening featuring key creatives from the series, including director Dana Nechushtan, cinematographer Bert Pot, editor Jp Luistenburg, writer Maaik Krijgsman, art director Minka Mooren, and assistant director Richt Martens—with more team members joining the conversation.

Join us for a deep dive into the making of Elixer, and meet the master minds behind this exciting Dutch series.

Nour Alkheder | Documentary | 15’00’’

The first time Nay heard K-pop music was when she was seven years old and still living with her family in Syria. Now she is 14, has fled the war, and lives alone with her mother and brother in the Netherlands. Doing K-pop dances and making Tik Toks is her hobby. If you have a small room, the dining table is put aside for that. But K-pop is more than a hobby: Nay gets support from the songs when she is sad, and her biggest dream is to become a dancer. In her own fantasy, she auditions for a K-pop jury, where she can finally show her skills. But can she also show her new environment who the real Nay is?

Igor Riabchuk | Documentary | 15’00’’

Ivan loves music and nature photography: he takes the most beautiful pictures of his new home town, Hindeloopen. He has only just moved there; he fled the war in Ukraine. Photography became his way to capture the new world in a safe way and to feel more and more at home in this way. His great fear is to make contact with other children because he is afraid that they will not understand him. Does Ivan dare to take pictures of his classmates, even though he finds it exciting?

Faten Bushehri | Documentary | 15’00’’

Karim, a 13-year-old boy from Syria, has just moved to the Netherlands and is having a hard time adjusting to his new life in Makkum. He often thinks about his home in Syria, where his best friend Laith lives. In order to feel closer to his old life, he is learning to play the Oud, an instrument he loves. His mother is trying to help him feel more at home by encouraging him to practice Dutch and make new friends. Will Karim be able to combine his memories of home with his new life in the Netherlands?

Batoul Karbijha | Documentary | 15’00’’

Zenat finds herself at the crossroads of two worlds. She was born in Afghanistan, where her heart, family and culture lie. But she now lives in the Netherlands, where her future lies. That means learning a new language and making new friends. But Zenat has a very big dream: she wants to become a writer. She tries to capture her desire to belong in her new environment without losing her original culture in a book. Written entirely in Dutch.

Yve Baya | Documentary | 15’00’’

Jay-Way is a hip hop artist with Ghanaian roots. He wants to make a song with children who are new to the Netherlands about what inspires them. Together they work on a song, they even go from Sneek to Amsterdam to record the song in a professional studio! Ivan on guitar, Karim raps, Nay sings and Zenat plays piano.

Sharine Rijsenburg | Documentary | 18’29’’

Bubbling music is one of the most spirited manifestations of Caribbean-Dutch cultural heritage. The propulsive and highly danceable music symbolises freedom, power and ownership of the diaspora. This vibrant documentary celebrates bubbling’s storied history, tracing the historic and cultural roots of the club music, while exploring the contemporary scene that keeps pushing the envelope. By explicitly forefronting the female voices of bubbling, director Sharine Rijsenburg composes a joyful and feminist symphony of a musical scene that perfectly embodies a festive way of living.

Yfke van Berckelaer | Live-Action | 04’51’’

Izzy is constantly stuck in the same cycle: mocked, dismissed, ignored, forgotten. But a touch of red glitter? Now that's a game-changer!

Sanne Schoemaker | Documentary | 13’45’’

On the canals of Groningen, seventy-year-old Rita has been organizing klaverjas competitions for years. Her door is open to everyone, as long as you don't cancel at the last minute and can lose like a winner.

Jan Rekelhof | Live-Action | 10’00’’

Florian tries to impress his in-laws during a Christmas dinner, which turns into a disaster.

Fokke Baarssen | Live-Action | 12’00’’

When Marieke, a tough and determined woman, reluctantly visits her childhood home where her aggressive father is dying, she is confronted with their dark past, which is not yet finished with her.

Naomi Noir | Animation | 09’06’’

Mary can't catch a break. Fusing motherhood with being a full-time carer for her disabled son has her up to her ears in red tape, barely keeping afloat. A surreal situation is looming.

Lidewij Hartog | Documentary | 13’12’’

What if everything you thought you knew was just the beginning?
Develop is a short documentary about Ydwer van der Heide. During a surfing accident, Ydwer became paralyzed from the waist down. But if water is such a vital part of your life and identity, how do you give new meaning to this relationship? This film documents an intimate personal journey, through relationships, the body and photography. 

Maria Shaposhnikova | Live-Action | 13’38’’

Eye Wall is a drama unfolds against the backdrop of a massive hurricane Khanum in 2023.
Ae Cha, a young woman tries to survive in a slum with her baby daughter and demented mother, but the waters rise too fast...

Jop Leuven | Live-Action | 6’57’’

In a group therapy session, Lena recounts the relationships that have shaped her: her father, her first boyfriend and Marleen.

Kim Faber | Documentary | 17’24’’

Eleven-year-old Lotte was diagnosed with cancer a year ago, and since then, her life has revolved around hospitals, radiation treatments, and chemotherapy. It has turned her world completely upside down. Now, Lotte is about to embark on a special week, as she’s going to a summer camp organized especially for children like her. Here, she hopes to finally just be "Lotte" again and enjoy life without worries.