- Network event
- By invitation
- Sat 28 Nov
Beleidsdiner
with Guido Franken, Albert Westerhoff, Sander Blom, Robert Keun
- Date
- Saturday 28 November
- Time
- 18:00–20:00
- Duration
- 120 min
- Room
- Zaal 2
Courses of Light, Camera,...Action! A dinner session at Groninger Filmdagen 2026 Where is film in Groningen heading, and what does it need to get there? In this session we sit down together, literally, to think about the future of filmmaking in the city and the region. Over a simple dinner of soup and sandwiches, speakers from different corners of the film field serve up their view on the future of film in Groningen. Makers, educators, exhibitors and partners each bring their own perspective, course by course: what is already growing here, what is missing, and what could make Groningen a place where film talent wants to stay and work. From these perspectives we distil concrete courses of action. Together we map what Groningen's film infrastructure needs, from production facilities and training pathways to funding, screening opportunities and places to meet. The results feed directly into the ongoing conversation about a stronger, more sustainable film ecosystem in the North. In keeping with this year's festival theme, Rooted Cinema, the session asks how we can give film deeper roots in Groningen, so it can grow outward from here.
Speakers
Guido Franken
Guido Franken earned his Masters degree in Film and Television Studies at Utrecht University, where he developed a strong passion for Dutch cinema. He founded NLFilmdoek.nl to promote Dutch film heritage before moving into film production, where he created several award-winning short films and documentaries from 2012 onwards. As director of CineSud, the largest talent development hub for filmmakers in the Netherlands, he focuses on amplifying regional voices and supporting emerging talent. Since 2016, he has also led the Limburg Film Office, which incorporated the Limburg Film Fund in 2020. Dedicated to making the film industry more accessible and inclusive, he established the national network Screen Talent NL and, in 2024, joined the board of the European network Screen Talent Europe.
Albert Westerhoff
Albert Westerhoff is programme manager of De Beeldcoalitie on behalf of Noorderpoort. He leads the coalition, guards its overall direction and coordinates the collaboration between its partners. De Beeldcoalitie is a public-private partnership of more than 30 schools and creative companies in the Northern Netherlands, working to grow and future-proof the film, audiovisual and performing arts sector (“van pixel tot podium”). Partners include Noorderpoort, Hanze, NHL Stenden, Alfa-college, Drenthe College and RTV Noord; it is based at Campus Camera, Groningen. Westerhoff trained as a visual artist at Academie Minerva and is known in Groningen for sculptures that combine kitsch, art and toys, built on Huizinga’s Homo Ludens idea of play.
Sander Blom
Sander Blom is an award winning writer, director, producer. Founder of Sander Blom Films for commercial work, director and producer for Stichting Noordelijke Verhalen (live-action film & documentaries) and author of several thrillers and photo books. His work centres on the history, landscape and stories of the province of Groningen, with the Second World War as a recurring theme. He usually writes, directs and produces his films himself. Alongside feature films and documentaries he writes thrillers and narrative photo books. Through Sander Blom Films he also produces commissioned work. He received the Groningen Talent Award in 2024. The jury called Blom a young all-round talent who brings Groningen's history and culture into the spotlight, also beyond provincial and national borders, and who actively collaborates with young people.
Robert Keun
moderator
The moderator is Robert Keun. He is team leader of the Creative Business programme at NHL Stenden in Leeuwarden, part of the Academy of Media, Commerce and Entrepreneurship. He moderates the Policy dinner. Keun connects media practice with education. A former drummer and video maker, he founded the production company Creative Cowboys before moving fully into education in 2010. At NHL Stenden he helps shape the Creative Business curriculum, in which music management plays a prominent role, and he is the lead applicant for the Filmacademie van het Noorden.