Common Frames
Common Frames is a Utrecht-based Dutch foundation that delivers free film and media literacy workshops, talent development programs and festivals for young newcomers aged 11-18 across more than 20 ISK schools, funded entirely through Dutch cultural and municipal grants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersUtrecht, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
Common Frames firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Common Frames
- Legal name
- Stichting Common Frames
- Website
- https://commonframes.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Common Frames is a Utrecht-based Dutch foundation that delivers free film and media literacy workshops, talent development programs and festivals for young newcomers aged 11-18 across more than 20 ISK schools, funded entirely through Dutch cultural and municipal grants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Common Frames industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Media Education Services (Film & Media Literacy)
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Video Production (512110), Fine Arts Schools (611610), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Multimedia Learning Production (Video, Animation, Interactive) (EDAGAKAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Interactive Multimedia Learning Content (Video, Audio, Interactive Lessons) (EDAFACAG), Visual Arts & Media Arts Programs (Art Club, Photography, Film) (EDAJAJAF), K–12 Instructional Video & Multimedia (EDAGALAA)
Keywords
Where Common Frames is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Utrecht
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Common Frames business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Foundation and Government Grants: Common Frames is funded primarily through grants from Dutch cultural funds (Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie, Fonds 21, VSB Fonds), municipal governments (Gemeente Utrecht, Gemeente Rotterdam), and national foundations (Kinderpostzegels, Triodos Foundation). The organization is a registered ANBI (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling).
- Project-based Funding: Specific projects receive dedicated funding from supporting organizations. For example, the Ithaka Film Academie is supported by Fonds 21, Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie, Kinderpostzegels, VSBfonds, Gemeente Utrecht, Triodos Foundation, Stichting Boschuysen, Dioraphte, and Vfonds.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Free services for all participants |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Common Frames product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Common Frames delivers film and media education programs for young newcomers (ages 12–18) in the Netherlands, anchored by the Ithaka Filmt 3-day in-school film workshop and extended through talent development programs (Ithaka Film Academie, Talent Team, Nieuwmakers Collectief), media literacy lessons (Ithaka Media Lab), film dialogue sessions, and cross-media projects. All programs are offered free of charge to schools and participants and are funded through Dutch cultural grants and foundation support.
Product overview
Common Frames offers a portfolio of film and media projects for (young) newcomers in the Netherlands, with Ithaka Filmt as the core nationwide program. Ithaka Filmt provides 3-day film workshops at International Bridge Classes (ISK), while the Ithaka Film Academie offers advanced training for the most talented participants. The organization supports talent development through its Talent Team and Nieuwmakers Collectief programs, and delivers supplementary offerings including Ithaka Film Gesprek (film conversations), Ithaka Media Lab (online media literacy education), and custom projects. Recent additions include the 2-year cross-media project 'Kunst van het Plezier Maken' developed with partners Bekijk 't and Digital Playground, and documentary productions like 'De Waarde van Welkom' and 'We komen van ver'. The organization also produces podcast series such as 'Mijn reis naar hier'.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Ithaka Filmt: A national film project for International Bridging Classes (ISK) where young newcomers learn to make films in three-day workshops.
- Ithaka Film Academie
- Ithaka Film Gesprek
- Ithaka Media Lab
- Talent Team
- Nieuwmakers Collectief
- Kunst van het Plezier Maken
- De Waarde van Welkom
- Mijn reis naar hier
Products and services
- Ithaka Filmt A nationwide film project for International Bridge Classes (ISK) where young newcomers aged 12–18 learn to create short films in a 3-day workshop — from script development through filming and editing — with the completed films screened in local cinemas. Delivered free of charge to schools and participants.
- Ithaka Film Academie An advanced film academy that gives the most talented Ithaka Filmt participants the opportunity to produce an additional short film under professional guidance with a production budget; films premiere at the Nederlands Film Festival.
- Talent Team A talent development program that gives young people who have previously participated in Common Frames' film workshops the opportunity to further develop their filmmaking talents through coaching and ongoing support.
- Nieuwmakers Collectief A collective of former ISK students who continue to develop audiovisual stories in co-creation with Common Frames, including larger documentary productions.
- Ithaka Film Gesprek Film conversation sessions in which secondary school students engage in dialogue with young newcomers who have made their own films during the Ithaka Filmt workshops.
- Ithaka Media Lab An online educational media-literacy program for ISK students covering topics such as conspiracy theories and media criticism, suitable for classroom or home education, developed with support from Stichting Horizon.
- Kunst van het Plezier Maken A 2-year cross-media project exploring how creative self-expression can increase the experience of pleasure at school for students aged 12–18, using film, podcasts, video clips, immersive media, AI and other media forms. Co-developed with Bekijk 't and Digital Playground and delivered in schools in Utrecht, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam.
- Mijn reis naar hier A four-part podcast series in which young newcomers (Hatim, Betty, Prince and Raihana) share stories about their journey to the Netherlands and their first years in Dutch society.
- De Waarde van Welkom A social-artistic film project celebrating 50 years of newcomer education at Ithaka ISK, comprising six short films made by young filmmakers.
- We komen van ver A documentary featuring four young newcomers sharing the impact of involuntary migration during their adolescence.
- Project op maat Custom-designed film and media projects tailored to the specific requirements of partner organizations.
Quantifiable outcome
- More than 5,000 young people have participated in film projects since founding
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Common Frames
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Common Frames technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature4 records
Common Frames partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Bekijk 't (Amsterdam)coreCo-development partner in the 'Kunst van het Plezier Maken' project. A two-year cross-media initiative exploring how creative self-expression can increase student wellbeing at schools in Utrecht, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam.
- Digital Playground (Rotterdam)coreCo-development partner in the 'Kunst van het Plezier Maken' project. Works with young people to improve education through play and digital creativity.
- LOWAN (Netwerk Onderwijs Nieuwkomers)coreNational network for education of newcomers in the Netherlands. Common Frames works with LOWAN on seminars for art and culture teachers at ISK schools and other educational initiatives.
- Nederlands Film FestivalcoreAnnual partnership for the Ithaka Film Academie Premières event. Young newcomer filmmakers screen their films at one of the Netherlands' most prestigious film festivals.
- EYE FilmmuseumminorPartnership for film education events and screenings, including hosting the Kick Off for Ithaka Film Academie.
- Filmhub Midden and Filmhub ZuidcoreRegional film education hubs in the Netherlands supporting Common Frames projects and expert meetings for ISK teachers.
- Ithaka ISKcoreUtrecht language school for young newcomers celebrating 50 years. Partner in the 'De Waarde van Welkom' project marking this jubilee with six short films.
- Netwerk Mediawijsheid (Media Literacy Network)coreDutch Media Literacy Network where Common Frames is an active member, contributing expertise in media and migration.
- Netwerk FilmeducatiecoreDutch Film Education Network where Common Frames participates in knowledge sharing and collaborative initiatives.
- SKB (Samenwerkingsverband Kansengelijkheid en Burgerschap)minorCollaboration on educational equality and citizenship initiatives in Dutch education.
- Utrecht UniversityminorAcademic partner with researchers conducting studies on interest development among young people involved in Common Frames programs.
- cinema de SiencoreCo-presenter of the New Shores Film Festival, providing venue and partnership for the inaugural edition showcasing young newcomer filmmakers.
- Expertisepunt LOBminorExpertise center for career orientation collaborating with Common Frames on lessons and workshops connecting film with career guidance.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Common Frames competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Cinekid: Amsterdam-based children's media festival and education organization producing film/media literacy content and workshops for young audiences. Closely comparable in delivering film education to children and youth in the Netherlands.
- Movies that Matter: Dutch film and human rights organization running film education programs, screenings, and youth engagement initiatives with social impact themes. Direct mission overlap with Common Frames' use of film for newcomer voice and inclusion.
- IDFA (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam): Major documentary film festival with a dedicated education program (IDFA Education) producing documentary filmmaking workshops and media literacy materials for secondary school students. Similar model of festival-as-educational-platform with young filmmakers.
Broad incumbents
- EYE Filmmuseum: Dutch national museum for film with substantial film education programming for schools, including screenings, workshops, and curriculum materials. Direct partner of Common Frames and operates at a much larger scale in the same domain.
- International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR): Major Dutch film festival with a robust education program (IFFR Education) offering film education for schools and youth. Broader scope than Common Frames but comparable in combining film curation with school-based educational delivery.
Others
- Stichting LOS (Landelijk Ondersteuningsteam Laaggeletterdheid): Dutch foundation supporting literacy and language education for low-literate adults and newcomers. Adjacent thematic overlap with Common Frames' work in ISK schools and language acquisition context.
- Stichting VluchtelingenWerk Nederland: Dutch Council for Refugees, the largest refugee support organization in the Netherlands. Operates in the same end beneficiary space (newcomers/refugees) but focused on legal aid and integration support rather than creative education.
- Netwerk Filmeducatie: Dutch national network for film education in which Common Frames is an active member. Acts as an enabling ecosystem partner and knowledge-sharing platform for film education providers including Common Frames.
Emerging players
- New Dutch Americans: Dutch media platform and community organization that documents and amplifies newcomer stories in the Netherlands. Comparable in storytelling-and-newcomer-narrative mission but with a journalistic/editorial rather than workshop-based delivery model.
Regional players
- Filmfestival Cinequest: U.S.-based film and technology festival with youth and education programs, including youth filmmaking initiatives. Comparable as a festival-based youth film education operator but operating in a different geography.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Common Frames social profiles
Digital presenceCommon Frames financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Common Frames leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Common Frames funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Common Frames M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Common Frames
What does Common Frames do?
Common Frames delivers film and media education programs for young newcomers (ages 12–18) in the Netherlands, anchored by the Ithaka Filmt 3-day in-school film workshop and extended through talent development programs (Ithaka Film Academie, Talent Team, Nieuwmakers Collectief), media literacy lessons (Ithaka Media Lab), film dialogue sessions, and cross-media projects. All programs are offered free of charge to schools and participants and are funded through Dutch cultural grants and foundation support.
Is Common Frames a public or private company?
Common Frames is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Common Frames founded?
Common Frames was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Common Frames based?
Common Frames is headquartered in Utrecht, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Common Frames make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Foundation and Government Grants are the primary driver. The others are project-based Funding.
Who are Common Frames's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cinekid, Movies that Matter and IDFA (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam). Broad incumbents are EYE Filmmuseum and International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR). Others are Stichting LOS (Landelijk Ondersteuningsteam Laaggeletterdheid), Stichting VluchtelingenWerk Nederland and Netwerk Filmeducatie. New Dutch Americans is listed as an emerging player. Filmfestival Cinequest is listed as a regional player.
Does Common Frames have an API?
No public API is recorded for Common Frames.
What industry is Common Frames in?
Common Frames's product category is Media Education Services (Film & Media Literacy). Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAGAKAG, Multimedia Learning Production (Video, Animation, Interactive), with a secondary code of EDAFACAG, Interactive Multimedia Learning Content (Video, Audio, Interactive Lessons). Its NAICS code is 512110 and its SIC code is 7812.