De Ontmoeting
De Ontmoeting (Stichting De Ontmoeting) is a Dutch non-profit foundation that funds and develops emerging short filmmakers through its core program, the AWARE diversity track, and the De Klik coaching hub, partnering with Dutch public broadcasters and production companies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersNetherlands, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What De Ontmoeting does
De Ontmoeting (legal name: Stichting De Ontmoeting) is a Dutch non-profit foundation established in June 2016 that runs a structured short-film talent-development program for emerging filmmakers in the Netherlands. The foundation originated in 2015 from a collaboration between VERS (the association for new film and television makers) and CineCrowd, and now operates three interconnected programs: the flagship De Ontmoeting program (currently in its 10th edition) which funds short fiction, documentary, animation, and experimental films up to six minutes in length; AWARE, a bottom-up talent-development track dedicated to underrepresented makers (now in its 4th edition); and De Klik, a knowledge and inspiration hub offering project coaching and industry networking. Selected filmmakers receive a minimum production budget of €10,000 per film — historically requiring crowdfunding, but replaced for the 10th edition by a direct €5,000 contribution from Netflix per selected film — together with script coaching and a network of realization partners.
The organization's operating model is matchmaking rather than product-led: it connects applicants with a curated roster of thirty-plus realization partners spanning Dutch public broadcasters (VPRO, BNNVARA, AVROTROS, NTR, NPO3Lab) and production companies (BIND, Submarine, Blokmakers, PRPL, Topkapi Films, BosBros, KeyFilm, Kaap Holland, NewBe, NL Film, Millstreet Films, RocknRoll Animation, Corrino Drama, Nozem Films, A Juicy Production, VENFILM, Moondocs, Kuub, DOXY, Videoland, VICE). Completed films are distributed through festival screenings (Netherlands Film Festival), cinema venues (Kinepolis Utrecht, Filmtheater Kriterion, EYE Amsterdam), and broadcaster carriage. There is no proprietary technology platform or AI/ML component; the foundation's intellectual assets are a public Film Database (50+ titles across ten editions and four AWARE editions), the brand endorsement of Netflix as of November 2024, and a governance board chaired by Claire van DaaL with Gemma Derksen (Secretary) and Evelyn van der Hulst (Treasurer).
De Ontmoeting is funded primarily through partnership contributions, broadcaster in-kind support, and grants, and does not publicly disclose its financials. Daily operations are led by founder/director Sacha Gertsik, business manager Ema Cvrkota (transitioning to freelance from end-2024), and project leader Safirah Dijkstra. The foundation is Netherlands-only, with no disclosed geographic expansion intent, no M&A activity, no external funding rounds, and no equity or venture capital participation — characteristics consistent with a culturally-mandated non-profit operating within the Dutch audiovisual sector (over 20,000 industry professionals).
De Ontmoeting firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- De Ontmoeting
- Legal name
- Stichting De Ontmoeting
- Website
- https://ditisdeontmoeting.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- De Ontmoeting (Stichting De Ontmoeting) is a Dutch non-profit foundation that funds and develops emerging short filmmakers through its core program, the AWARE diversity track, and the De Klik coaching hub, partnering with Dutch public broadcasters and production companies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
De Ontmoeting industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Film talent development / short film funding programs
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512), Motion Picture and Video Industries (5121), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (711510)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Screenwriting Workshops (Film/TV/Web) (EDAMAMAE)
Keywords
Where De Ontmoeting is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Netherlands
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
De Ontmoeting business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Foundation Operations: De Ontmoeting operates as Stichting De Ontmoeting, a non-profit foundation established in June 2016. The organization funds short film production by connecting filmmakers with production companies, realization partners, and sponsors. Revenue comes through partnerships, grants, and sponsorship arrangements rather than product sales.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Netflix-supported film production funding |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
De Ontmoeting product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Stichting De Ontmoeting is a Netherlands-based non-profit foundation that runs talent development programs for emerging filmmakers. It selects project proposals through an annual application process and provides a minimum €10,000 production budget per short film (maximum 6 minutes), plus script coaching, matchmaking with realization partners (production companies and broadcasters such as VPRO, BNNVARA, AVROTROS, NTR), and broadcast/festival distribution. The foundation also operates the AWARE program for underrepresented makers and De Klik, a knowledge and coaching hub for audiovisual creators.
Product overview
De Ontmoeting is a foundation operating three interconnected talent development programs for filmmakers: the main De Ontmoeting program (now in its 10th edition) supports emerging creators in making short films up to 6 minutes with funding and professional guidance; the Aware program focuses on finding underrepresented makers for inclusion in the film industry; and De Klik serves as a knowledge and inspiration hub providing project advice and coaching. The Film Database serves as a public archive of all produced films. The organization was established in 2015 and formalized as a foundation in June 2016, partnering with Netflix since November 2024.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Aware: AWARE is a talent development program that bottom-up searches for underrepresented makers. It offers a path toward the film industry for makers who want to take the next step.
- De Klik
Products and services
- De Ontmoeting (program) Annual talent development program for emerging Dutch filmmakers producing short films of maximum 6 minutes in formats such as fiction, documentary, animation, VR, dance film, and experimental. Selected filmmakers receive a minimum €10,000 production budget (with €5,000 contributed by Netflix from the 10th edition onwards), script coaching, matchmaking with realization partners (production companies and broadcasters such as VPRO, BNNVARA, AVROTROS, NTR), and broadcast/festival distribution support.
- AWARE Talent development program targeting underrepresented makers in the Dutch film industry. Uses a bottom-up outreach approach to find creators who face additional barriers to entry, providing a structured pathway (including funding and realization-partner matchmaking through AWARE editions 1–4 and beyond) toward professional production.
- De Klik Knowledge and inspiration hub for audiovisual content creators. Offers 'Kliks' ranging from project advice to specific coaching for individual creators, and 'industry Kliks' that connect industry professionals with emerging talent and their stories.
Quantifiable outcome
- 10 editions completed with 50+ short films produced
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use De Ontmoeting
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
De Ontmoeting technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
De Ontmoeting partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- NetflixflagshipNetflix has partnered with De Ontmoeting to support talent development in filmmaking. For the 10th edition, Netflix provides €5,000 per selected film, replacing the previously mandatory crowdfunding. Netflix also contributes knowledge, tools, and workshops to help remove barriers for new filmmakers. Netflix does not interfere with creative decisions or film distribution.
- VERS (Vereniging voor nieuwe film- en televisiemakers)coreVERS is the Association for New Film and Television Makers. De Ontmoeting originated in 2015 through collaboration between VERS and CineCrowd, making VERS a founding partner of the initiative.
- CineCrowdcoreCineCrowd collaborated with VERS to create De Ontmoeting in 2015. CineCrowd is a crowdfunding platform that was instrumental in the original concept of supporting filmmakers.
- BINDcoreBIND is a realization partner that works with De Ontmoeting filmmakers on film productions. Films like 'Gilles' were produced with BIND as the production company.
- VPRO DorstcoreVPRO Dorst is a realization partner that has collaborated on multiple De Ontmoeting films including 'Interface', 'Jordy in Transitland', and others.
- BNNVARAcoreBNNVARA (3LAB) is a realization partner providing production support and broadcast distribution for De Ontmoeting films.
- AVROTROScoreAVROTROS is a broadcaster and realization partner that has supported De Ontmoeting productions.
- SubmarinecoreSubmarine is a production company that has served as realization partner for several De Ontmoeting films.
- NTRcoreNTR is a Dutch public broadcaster that partners with De Ontmoeting for film production and distribution.
- BlokmakerscoreBlokmakers is a production company from Utrecht that participates in De Ontmoeting as a realization partner, seeking makers who want to tell relevant stories.
- PRPLcorePRPL is a production company focused on distinctive fiction films. They participate in De Ontmoeting to find new makers with unique perspectives and stories.
- Cinema DelicatessenminorCinema Delicatessen collaborates with De Ontmoeting on Tête-à-tête screening events.
- Kriterion AmsterdamminorFilmtheater Kriterion hosts Tête-à-tête screening events featuring De Ontmoeting films.
- NPO3LabcoreNPO3Lab (part of NPO/VPRO/EO/NTR) serves as a realization partner for De Ontmoeting filmmakers.
- DOXYminorDOXY partnered with Videoland as realization partner for 'KOEKOEK!' (De Ontmoeting 4).
- VideolandminorVideoland partnered with DOXY as realization partner for 'KOEKOEK!' and independently for 'Zwart' and 'Meisjesjongensmix'.
- VICEminorVICE served as realization partner for 'When We Were Strangers' (De Ontmoeting 4) and co-hosted Vice Night screening events.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
De Ontmoeting competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Sundance Institute: Largest US-based film talent development organization running labs, grants, and the Sundance Film Festival. Comparable as a broad incumbent supporting emerging filmmakers with funding, mentorship, and showcase opportunities.
- Tribeca Film Institute: Non-profit affiliated with the Tribeca Festival that runs filmmaker development programs, grants, and labs. Operates at larger scale and broader scope than De Ontmoeting but pursues the same talent development mission.
Regional players
- Holland Film: Netherlands-based organization promoting Dutch film and audiovisual content internationally, including support for emerging talent. Geographic peer operating in the same Dutch ecosystem that De Ontmoeting serves.
- Netherlands Film Fund: Dutch public funding body supporting film production, development, and distribution across all formats. Closest national public-sector peer to De Ontmoeting, though focused on broader industry funding rather than a specific talent trajectory.
- International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA): Major Dutch documentary film festival and industry platform running talent programs and market activities for emerging documentary makers. Geographic peer with overlapping mission in supporting new Dutch filmmakers, especially in documentary.
Emerging players
- Locarno Open Doors: Talent program at the Locarno Film Festival focused on filmmakers from underrepresented regions. Comparable in mission to De Ontmoeting's AWARE track, which similarly seeks out underrepresented makers.
Direct peers
- Berlinale Talents: International talent development program run alongside the Berlin International Film Festival, supporting emerging filmmakers and producers with labs, mentoring, and networking. Highly comparable to De Ontmoeting's mission of bridging new makers with the film industry.
- TorinoFilmLab: International training and development lab based in Turin supporting emerging filmmakers and producers through workshops, mentoring, and funding. Closely matches De Ontmoeting's model of combining financial support with professional guidance for emerging talent.
- Cinéfondation (Festival de Cannes): Cannes-affiliated residency and atelier programs that support emerging international filmmakers through mentoring and funding. Operates in the same talent-development category as De Ontmoeting, though at international scale.
- International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) CineMart: Co-production market at IFFR connecting emerging filmmakers with international producers, financiers, and broadcasters. Directly comparable to De Ontmoeting's role of linking new Dutch makers with industry partners.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
De Ontmoeting social profiles
Digital presenceDe Ontmoeting financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
De Ontmoeting leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
De Ontmoeting funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
De Ontmoeting 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 De Ontmoeting
What does De Ontmoeting do?
Stichting De Ontmoeting is a Netherlands-based non-profit foundation that runs talent development programs for emerging filmmakers. It selects project proposals through an annual application process and provides a minimum €10,000 production budget per short film (maximum 6 minutes), plus script coaching, matchmaking with realization partners (production companies and broadcasters such as VPRO, BNNVARA, AVROTROS, NTR), and broadcast/festival distribution. The foundation also operates the AWARE program for underrepresented makers and De Klik, a knowledge and coaching hub for audiovisual creators.
Is De Ontmoeting a public or private company?
De Ontmoeting is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was De Ontmoeting founded?
De Ontmoeting was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is De Ontmoeting based?
De Ontmoeting is headquartered in Netherlands, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does De Ontmoeting make money?
One revenue line is on record: foundation Operations.
Who are De Ontmoeting's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Sundance Institute and Tribeca Film Institute. Regional players are Holland Film, Netherlands Film Fund and International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA). Locarno Open Doors is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Berlinale Talents, TorinoFilmLab, Cinéfondation (Festival de Cannes) and International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) CineMart.
Does De Ontmoeting have an API?
No public API is recorded for De Ontmoeting.
What industry is De Ontmoeting in?
De Ontmoeting's product category is Film talent development / short film funding programs. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAJ, Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations, with a secondary code of EDAMAMAE, Screenwriting Workshops (Film/TV/Web). Its NAICS code is 512 and its SIC code is 7812.