Special Guest:

MARTIN KOOLHOVEN started off with strongly stylized films that were all hailed by the critics, but never gained commercial success. This all changed in 2005 when he went mainstream with Schnitzel Paradise. It not only received rave reviews (both inside and outside the Netherlands), but was also the highest grossing Dutch film of that year. The film was shown at many international film festivals (such as the Berlin Film Festival and the Karlovy Vary Film Festival where it was part of the Variety Critic's choice.) and was sold to more than 20 countries; a remarkable achievement for a Dutch film.
Koolhoven released Bonkers the same year, making him the first director to have two films in the Dutch box office top 20. His next film, 'n Beetje Verliefd (2006) (Happy Family), became his third hit film in two years time, earning him another Golden Film. 
But it was his following film Oorlogswinter (Winter in Wartime), based on Jan Terlouw's hit novel by the same name, which went platinum. It not only grossed more money than all his previous movies combined, but well equally well reveiced amongst critics (including a rave review by Variety). It was the number one Christmas movie of 2008 in The Netherlands (beating The Dark Knight and Twilight in the process)and the Dutch entry for the Academy Awards. It made the shortlist of nine movies, but failed to get nominated. 
After a long seven year hiatus, Koolhoven now finally returned to cinema with his English-language debut BRIMSTONE. A western starring exciting names such as: Kit Harington (Game of Thrones), Dakota Fanning (The Twilight Saga), Guy Pearce (Memento) and Carice Van Houten (Game of Thrones, Zwartboek). Brimstone received a standing ovation at its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival on September 3rd.

In our Official Selection: 

. Husband for a day directed by Marieke Warmelink ***** PREMIÈRE

Husband for a day is a short film where the director offers herself as a husband to Ibu Rata, an Indonesian woman who sells food at the local market in Ubud, Bali. Over one day Marieke fulfills the wishes of this lady. It is Warmelink’s aim to portray daily life of Balinese women in society today and address conversations on gender by exploring the position of men and women. By taking on the role of a husband in this project the artist can give an insight to underlying and often invisible structures in society.

. Exist directed by Klaas Arie Westland

Achmed is a refugee from Syria, just arrived in the Netherlands. We follow him taking a first walk in a new town, in a new world.