13th shortcutz Amsterdam annual awards

JANUARY 25, 2026 - Koninklijk Theater Tuschinski [Pathé]

CEREMONY: 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM @ Tuschinski 1
AFTER PARTY: 11:00 PM – 1:00 AM @ CAFE
DRESS CODE: FESTIVE
On January 25, 2026, the 13th Shortcutz Amsterdam Annual Awards take over the iconic Koninklijk Theater Tuschinski (Pathé). One night dedicated to the boldest new voices in Dutch cinema.
But this night goes beyond trophies. We bring together leading industry voices and emerging filmmakers for an evening of exchange, inspiration, and forward-thinking ideas.
In memory of our late ambassador Rutger Hauer, we honour a person WHO, like Rutger, has played a meaningful role in supporting and inspiring the next generation of Dutch filmmakers WITH THE RUTGER HAUER AWARD.
Want to know who’s deciding this year’s winners? Meet our Jury Team below.
When the awards end, the night doesn’t. Stay for the after-party. Drinks, music, conversations, and a dance floor that brings filmmakers, jury members, and guests together.
This year’s ceremony idents are entirely AI-generated by artist Rodger Werkhoven of Another Dimension. A pioneer at the intersection of art and technology, he joined OpenAI in 2022 and helped shape the Creative Reality Studio.

BUY TICKETS

AWARDS

In this ceremony, we will award:

Categories decided by the Shortcutz Amsterdam Jury Team:

Mr Zee Best Film
Mr Zee Best Director
Mr Zee Best Acting
Mr Zee Best Screenplay
Mr Zee Best Cinematography
Mr Zee Best Editing
Mr Zee Best Documentary

Other Awards:

Mr Zee Best Soundtrack, decided by MiMM/Private Kitchen
Mr Zee International Audience Award, decided by the Audience.
Rutger Hauer Award

PRIZES

Mr Zee Best Film: is awarded €15,000 worth of services by FILMMORE and CAM-A-LOT, €7,500 each.
Mr Zee Best Director: is awarded €5,000 (cash prize) by VEVAM.
Mr Zee Best Cinematography: is awarded equipment rental worth € 2,500 by CAM-A-LOT.

During the ceremony, we will screen the winner of Mr Zee Best Film.

RUTGER HAUER AWARD

The RUTGER HAUER AWARD is awarded every year to a person who has been a role model for the new generation of filmmakers or an institution that has made an extraordinary effort to develop and promote new Dutch film talents.

The prize is a limited-edition photo of Rutger Hauer, made and signed by renowned photographer and film director Anton Corbijn.

This award previously went to film director Paul Verhoeven and to the project ‘Kort!’, a programme for new talent that has produced 200 short films in 20 years, including Martin Koolhoven, Tom Holkenborg (aka Junkie XL), producer Jan Harlan (The Shining, Full Metal Jacket), and Halina Reijn.

Guests of Honour

We’re thrilled to welcome these industry trailblazers who will share invaluable insights and spark fresh inspiration for the next generation of Dutch filmmakers.

Stay tuned—more guests will be announced soon!

Featured

Jan Harlan [JURY PRESIDENT]

Jan Harlan first joined forces with Stanley Kubrick in 1969 to develop a film about Napoleon, a project that, regrettably, never came to fruition. Over the following decades, he served as executive producer on Kubrick’s most iconic works, including The Shining, Full Metal Jacket, Eyes Wide Shut, and Barry Lyndon, and also collaborated on several unrealized projects. After Kubrick’s passing in 1999, Harlan worked with Steven Spielberg on A.I. Artificial Intelligence and produced documentaries on both Stanley Kubrick and actor Malcolm McDowell for Warner Bros. Jan is a Shortcutz Amsterdam jury member.

NOMINEES

MR ZEE BEST FILM

BARLEBAS, directed by Malu Janssen, produced by Janneke Doolaard
BEYOND SILENCE, directed by Marnie Blok, produced by Ellen Havenith
MARLEEN, directed by Jop Leuven, produced by Justine Knijn
SANYI KAKAS, directed by Lotte Salomons, produced by Raphael Hogers, Nova Nagel & Kes Raven
SIGN AND SEE THE WORLD, directed by Safi Graauw, produced by Naomi Wills
YAROSHENKO, directed by Lieuwe Siebe de Jong, produced by Lieuwe Siebe de Jong

MR ZEE BEST DIRECTING

Chris de Krijger for EN PASSANT
Idriss Nabil for MOUSTACHE
Lotte Salomons for SANYI KAKAS
Malu Janssen for BARLEBAS
Marnie Blok for BEYOND SILENCE
Safi Graauw for SIGN AND SEE THE WORLD

MR ZEE BEST SCREENPLAY

Daan Bunnik & Rozemarijn Elisa for G.O.A.T.
Jop Leuven for MARLEEN
Malu Janssen for BARLEBAS
Marc S. Nollkaemper & Andrei Mikes for MY HAIRY SHADOW & I
Marnie Blok for BEYOND SILENCE
Xiang Yu Yeung for RECLAIMING DRAGONS

MR ZEE BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Christiaan van Leeuwen for THE INEVITABLE
Jurre Vos for ASTRAY
Lawrence Lee & Gábor Deák for WHEN I WAS LITTLE, I WASN'T AFRAID
Ruben van Weelden for THE BENEATH
Sam du Pon for BARLEBAS
Twan Peeters for EN PASSANT

MR ZEE BEST ACTING

Henrianne Janssen for BEYOND SILENCE
Julia Akkermans, Marloes IJpelaar and Ella Kamerbeek for MOTHERFOCKING ART
July Janssen IN LOVE AGAIN (ILA)
Laura Bakker for MARLEEN
Liza Macedo dos Santos for ASTRAY
Mauro Suijkerbuijk for OLLI
Samya Ghilane for G.O.A.T.
Sebas Berman for MY HAIRY SHADOW & I

MR ZEE BEST EDITING

Arjen Schotel for THE INEVITABLE
Bruno Carboni for DREAM OF SWANS
Eline Bakker for MOUSTACHE
Festus Toll for SIGN AND SEE THE WORLD
Jesse Immanuel Bom for WHEN I WAS LITTLE, I WASN'T AFRAID
Lidewij Hartog for DEVELOP
Tim Straver for THE BENEATH

MR ZEE BEST SOUNDTRACK (SELECTED BY MIMM/PRIVATE KITCHEN)

TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON

MR ZEE BEST DOCUMENTARY

BUBBLING BABY, directed by Sharine Rijsenburg
DEVELOP, directed by Lidewij Hartog
I’VE ASKED, directed by Joep van Weelden
QUEEN OF CLUBS, directed by Sanne Schoemaker
SANYI KAKAS, directed by Lotte Salomons
SIGN AND SEE THE WORLD, directed by Safi Graauw
YAROSHENKO, directed by Lieuwe Siebe de Jong

MR ZEE INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCE AWARD

BARLEBAS, directed by Malu Janssen, produced by Janneke Doolaard
BEYOND SILENCE, directed by Marnie Blok, produced by Ellen Havenith
MARLEEN, directed by Jop Leuven, produced by Justine Knijn
SANYI KAKAS, directed by Lotte Salomons, produced by Raphael Hogers, Nova Nagel & Kes Raven
SIGN AND SEE THE WORLD, directed by Safi Graauw, produced by Naomi Wills
YAROSHENKO, directed by Lieuwe Siebe de Jong, produced by Lieuwe Siebe de Jong

Jury Team

Find out more about the Shortcutz Amsterdam Jury Team HERE.

Featured

Nazmiye Oral

Nazmiye Oral is an award-winning Dutch actress, writer, and columnist. She won a Golden Calf for One Night Stand (2016) and gained international recognition as a mafia boss in Undercover (S3). In 2025, she will appear alongside Gerard Butler in Den of Thieves: Pantera. Beyond film and TV, she is celebrated for her theatre work in Niet meer zonder jou and as the author of Zehra, nominated for the E. du Perron Prize.

Jan Harlan

Jan Harlan is a legendary producer and longtime collaborator of Stanley Kubrick, working on iconic films such as Barry Lyndon, The Shining, Full Metal Jacket, and Eyes Wide Shut. After Kubrick’s passing, he produced Steven Spielberg’s A.I. Artificial Intelligence and directed documentaries preserving Kubrick’s legacy. Today, he remains a respected lecturer and cinema curator worldwide.

Eddy Terstall

Eddy Terstall is a renowned Dutch filmmaker and screenwriter, known for stories that blend sharp social commentary with human insight. His film Simon (2004) won four Golden Calves and became the first of a trilogy exploring freedom and identity, followed by Sextet and Vox Populi. He also co-created Meet Me in Venice, awarded at the Woodstock Film Festival. His latest feature, Johan’s Country, will be released in 2025.

Martin Koolhoven

Martin Koolhoven is one of the Netherlands’ most acclaimed directors. His work spans box office hits and critical successes, including Oorlogswinter and the internationally acclaimed Brimstone, which premiered at Venice, screened at TIFF and BFI, and won seven Golden Calves. Beyond directing, Martin hosts the VPRO series De kijk van Koolhoven, sharing his passion for cinema. He is currently working on his next feature, Emerald Butterfly.

Willeke van Ammelrooy

Willeke van Ammelrooy is one of the Netherlands’ most celebrated actresses, with a career spanning over 70 films and five decades. She rose to fame with Mira (1971) and starred in Dutch classics like Ciske de Rat and Wan Pipel. Her award-winning role in Antonia’s Line earned a Golden Calf and an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. She also reached international audiences in The Lake House alongside Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves.

Mees Peijnenburg

Mees Peijnenburg is one of the most exciting voices of a new generation of Dutch filmmakers. A graduate of the Netherlands Film Academy and the Cinéfondation Résidence in Cannes, his short films A Hole in My Heart and Even Cowboys Get to Cry won over 50 awards worldwide. His debut feature, Paradise Drifters, premiered at the Berlinale and earned a Golden Calf. He is currently in post-production with his new film, A Family.

Laser 3.14

Laser 3.14 is Amsterdam’s most iconic street poet, known for his bold, thought-provoking messages sprayed across the city’s walls and fences. His work has been featured in major institutions such as the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam and the Museum of The Hague, and is part of the Amsterdam Museum’s permanent collection. Awarded the PAX Peace Prize, Laser 3.14 bridges art, activism, and urban storytelling, leaving an unmistakable mark on Amsterdam’s cultural landscape.

René Wolf

René Wolf is a leading film curator and programmer with a long-standing career at the EYE Filmmuseum, where he served as Head of Acquisitions and Senior Programmer. He initiated the acclaimed Previously Unreleased series and now works as an independent consultant, supporting festivals, distributors, and exhibitors. He also collaborates on Eye’s programming and contributes to the Noordelijk Film Festival.

Roel Reiné

Roel Reiné is an award-winning Dutch director, splitting his time between Europe and Hollywood. Roel has directed for major studios including Disney, Netflix, Paramount, Lionsgate, and Universal. His credits include Admiral (Michiel de Ruyter), one of the highest-grossing Dutch films of 2015, Redbad, Marvel’s Inhumans (the first TV pilot released globally in IMAX), Netflix hits Wu Assassins and Fistful of Vengeance, Showtime/Paramount’s Halo, and the History Channel’s Washington and Colosseum. Recently, he directed the Dutch war drama Line of Fire (2023, Netflix), the action thriller Classified (2024), and Savage Hunt (2025).