ShortCutz Amsterdam


ShortCutz Amsterdam is an annual film festival promoting short films in Amsterdam, Netherlands held the whole year through.

Festival

ShortCutz Amsterdam is a film festival held the whole year through, promoting Dutch short films in The Netherlands. Every week has two short films competing. After the end of the calendar month the jury will select the winner of the month. The winner of the month is then nominated for a Mr. Zee Award and the winners will be presented at the end of January at the ShortCutz Amsterdam Annual Award Ceremony at EYE Film Institute Netherlands. Winners of the Mr. Zee award will receive funding for their next film project, special screenings in cinema's and a distribution deal.
A unique aspect of the festival is that jury members are encouraged to give their personal feedback on the selected films. Giving the filmmakers the opportunity to have professionals like Rutger Hauer, Jan Harlan or Eddy Terstall comment on their films. Because of the informal vibe of the festival jury members can often be spotted at the weekly screening sessions, lowering the bar for young creatives to come in contact with well-known film professionals.

Screening locations

The weekly screening sessions are held at the De Kring , located in the heart of Amsterdam, on the corner of the Leidseplein. It is one of the main artists clubs of the city.
The ShortCutz Amsterdam Annual Awards Ceremony is held every January at the EYE Film Institute Netherlands. The EYE is a modern building located on the north bank of Amsterdam's waterfront, just behind the Central Station.

Mobile App

In 2019 the ShortCutz festival mobile app was released on Android and iOS. Giving mobile users an easy way to read about the news, weekly sessions and screening schedules. The app also gives the users the opportunity to connect with film professionals, upcoming talent and the film audience.

Programmes

  • The Official Selection
  • *In Competition – Short films competing for the Mr. Zee Award. They are projected in De Kring Amsterdam.
  • *Special Guests – Every session is accompanied by an influential guest from the film industry and will hold an open Q&A.
  • *ShortCutz Amsterdam Award Ceremony – Awards presentation honoring the best talent in short-film achievements.
  • Events
  • *Best of ShortCutz – Special selection of the best of films.
  • *Marathon of New Dutch Cinema – In one night, it showcases the vitality and diversity of short films.
  • *Shortcutz National Audience Awards.

Juries

The jury composed of an ambassador and various film directors, actors, culture, and art personalities, determine the prizes for the best short films in the competition. The juries hold the responsibility for choosing the monthly winner and which films will receive a Mr. Zee award.
Notable jury members: Waldemar Torenstra, George Sluizer, Laser 3.14, Tygo Gernandt, Hanna Verboom, Mijke de Jong, Roel Reiné, Eddy Terstall, Ariane Schluter, Rutger Hauer, Jan Harlan, Willeke van Ammelrooy, Pieter Kuijpers.

Guests of honor

Every year guests of honor are invited to speak about their experiences in film creation.
List of Guests of Honor: Rutger Hauer – actor extraordinaire , Jan Harlan – producer of the late Stanley Kubrick and Steven Spielberg's A.I. Artificial Intelligence Béla Tarr - cult film director Leontine Petit – producer and founder of Lemming Film Pieter Verhoeff – Golden Calf winning director Job Roggeveen from the studio Job Joris & Marieke – Oscar nominee animator Claire van Daal - Nederlands Film Festival programmer Jan Doense aka Mr Horror -  producer, publisher, Festival Organizer. Jos de Putter - documentary maker and producer Yorick van Wageningen - actor Sigrid ten Napel - golden calf nominee actress Bero Beyer - IFFR director and producer Willeke van Ammelrooy - actress Johanna Ter Steege - actress Marc van Warmerdam - producer Ate de Jong - director Mae Dols de Jong - director Gareth Wiley - producer

Awards

Career Achievement Award

The Career Achievement Award has been awarded since 2013. The winners are: 2018 – Frans Weisz, 2017 – Heddy Honigmann, 2016 – Pieter Kuijpers, 2015 – Rutger Hauer, 2014 – Jos Stelling and 2013 – George Sluizer.

Rutger Hauer Award

The Career Achievement Award was transformed into the Rutger Hauer Award after his death in 2019. The winners are: 2022 - Junkie XL, 2021 - Martin Koolhoven, 2020 - NTR Kort!, 2019 - Paul Verhoeven

Mr. Zee Award winners

The Mr. Zee Award has various sponsors, including ShortsTV, Camalot Amsterdam, Filmmore and EYE Film Institute Netherlands. The Mr. Zee awards are made by ProtoSpace.

Singular Awards

In some years a singular award has been awarded.
In 2020 an awards for Best Music video was awarded to Leo Cosme for his music video for the artist Feng Sueve with his song Half-Moon bag.
in 2020 an Xite award was awarded to Timo Ottevanger for his music video for Sunnery James and Ryan Marciano - Let it lie
in 2022 an award for best soundtrack, chosen by Mimm / Private Kitchen was awarded to Giliam Spliethoff & Jorick Bronius for the film You can't Automate Me.
Mr Zee Best Film
YearFilmOriginal TitleDirectorOther NomineesJury
2013WednesdaysWoensdagenAaron Rookus12th of never, Drag Junkie, Flirt, Kruidwoord, Stardust, Tombed
2014Pony PlacePony PlaceJoost ReijmersDe leeuw, Geen Klote!, Happy New Year, Peace and Quiet
2015BallenBallenJanne SchmidtBam, Groen, Plaster, Expose Eddy Terstall, Jan Harlan, Laser 3.14, Roel Reiné, René Wolf, Tygo Gernandt, Vincent van Ommen, Claire van Daal, Harmen Jalvingh, Ariane Schluter, Jeroen Koolbergen, Jan Doense
2016NymphetNymphetLaura HermanidesBeautiful woman, Bingo!, Exist, Jimmy on the Run, Platform 13, Ticking Away Rutger Hauer, Eddy Terstall, Jan Harlan, Laser 3.14, Roel Reiné, René Wolf, Tygo Gernandt, Vincent van Ommen, Claire van Daal, Harmen Jalvingh, Ariane Schluter, Jeroen Koolbergen, Jan Doense,
2017A man falls from the skyValt een man uit de luchtKurt Platvoet, Jan VerdijkI was only 14, Che!, Tabook, Bridge, Routine, Skogafoss Rutger Hauer, Eddy Terstall, Jan Harlan, Laser 3.14, Marina Blok, Roel Reiné, René Wolf, Tygo Gernandt, Willeke van Amelrooy, Pieter Kuijpers, Vincent van Ommen, Claire van Daal, Harmen Jalvingh
2018Bullet TimeBullet TimeFrodo KuipersSjaak's wife died, so he needs to say something, Girl on a mission, Otherland, Hitchock Hitchcock, Spark, Happy new year Rutger Hauer, Hany Abu-Assad, Eddy Terstall, Jan Harlan, Laser 3.14, Marina Blok, Roel Reiné, René Wolf, Sigrid Ten Napel, Tygo Gernandt, Willeke van Amelrooy, Pieter Kuijpers, Vincent van Ommen, Claire van Daal
2019School's OutTienminutengesprekJamille van WijngaardenAccident, At First Sight, Crow's Nest, Daydreaming, Fundament, Nobu Hany Abu-Assad, Eddy Terstall, Jan Harlan, Laser 3.14, Marina Blok, Roel Reiné, René Wolf, Sigrid Ten Napel, Tygo Gernandt, Willeke van Amelrooy, Kim Sherman, Pieter Kuijpers, Vincent van Ommen, Parwin Mirrahimy
2020Short Calf MuscleKorte kuitspierVictoria WarmerdamEn Route, Life at Oranjehotel, Lili, Mania, No dog in Amsterdam, Re-Entry Christopher Mack, Hany Abu-Assad, Eddy Terstall, Jan Harlan, Laser 3.14, Marina Blok, Roel Reiné, René Wolf, Sigrid Ten Napel, Tygo Gernandt, Willeke van Amelrooy
2021Free FallFree FallEmmanuel TenenbaumBirdland, Last Ride, Marlon Brando, Shielded, Wall #4 Charles Mastro Pietro, Christopher Mack, Hany Abu-Assad, Eddy Terstall, Jany Temime, Jan Harlan, Laser 3.14, Marina Blok, Roel Reiné, René Wolf, Sigrid Ten Napel, Willeke van Amelrooy
2022SpotlessVlekkeloosEmma BranderhorstCage, Funkele, In between glass and walls, Science around us, The Smile, What killed Timmy Benson Antonio D'intino, Christopher Mack, Eddy Terstall, Elise Schaap, Jan Harlan, Laser 3.14, Marina Blok, Nora El-Koussour, Roel Reiné, René Wolf, Sigrid Ten Napel, Willeke van Amelrooy
2023I'm Not a RobotIk Ben Geen RobotVictoria WarmerdamA capella in D minor, Fly, Jammed, Gnomes, New Babylon Christopher Mack, Eddy Terstall, Elise Schaap, Jan Harlan, Marina Blok, Nora El Koussour, Laser 3.14, René Wolf, Roel Reiné, Willeke van Amelrooy

YearDirectorFilmOther Nominees
2013Aaron RookusWednesdaysFadi Hindash, Gabriel M. Bauer, Jeroen Houben,
2014Ben Brand97%Joost Reijmers, Klaas Arie Westland, Kurt Platvoets
2015Janne SchmidtBallenJeroen Houben
2016Laura HermanidesNymphetJordi Wijnalda, Klaas Arie Westland, Marc de Leeuw
2017Kurt Platvoet, Jan VerdijkA man falls from the skyElsbeth Fraanje, Niels Bourgonje, Nils Vleugels
2018Daphne LuckersSistersBrandon Grötzinger & Wander Theunis, Dominique Gimberg, Eva M. C. Zanen, Shady El-Hamus
2019Flynn von KleistCrow's NestGuust Mulder, Jamille van Wijngaarden, Michael Middelkoop, Nico van den Brink
2020Marit WeerheijmEn RouteJörgen Scholtens, Victoria Warmerdam, Mania, Arjan Brentjes, Re-Entry
2021Emmanuel TenenbaumFree FallAshgan El-Hamus, Jantiene de Kroon & Remco Polman, Vincent Tilanus, Jan Verdijk, Festus Toll
2022Nicole JachmannFunkeleEmma Brandenhorst, Idriss Nabil, Kees-Jan Mulder, Naomi Pacifique, Razan Hassan
2023Malu JanssenA Capella in D MinorClaire Zhou, Isis Cabolet, Ruwan Heggelman, Victoria Warmerdam

YearActressFilmOther Nominees
2013Petra LaseurViskomJoke Bruijs, Loek Beernink, Nienke Gravemake, Sophie van Winden
2014Carine CrutzenSouthwestBien de Moor
2015Saadet YuceBefore We LoseAnnemieke Bakker, Hanneke Scholten, Thekla Reuten
2016Alix Jana CaleNymphetAlbertine de Kanter, Hanneke Scholten, Juul Vrijdag, Selma Copijn
2017Raymond ThiryA man falls from the skyBart Slegers, Hans Dagelet, Yannick Jozefzoon
2018Kubilay SengulNightshadeBenjamin Moen, Mustafa Duygulu, Sabri Saddik, Sjeng Kessels
2019Raymonde de KuyperSchool's OutChristine van Stralen, Gonny Gaakeer, Melody Klaver, Romana Vrede, Sara Luna Zoric

YearWriterFilmOther Nominees
2013Jeroen HoubenSorryFadi Hindash, Matthijs Bockting, Aaron Rookus
2014---
2015Paul BontenbalBallenCristhian Andrews & Ruya Koman, Lucas Camps
2016Wander Theunis & Ashar MedinaGillesJan van Gorkum, Karsten de Vreugd, Lucas Camps
2017Jan Verdijk & Kurt PlatvoetA man falls from the skyMartijn Winkler, Nils Vleugels, Bastiaan Tichler, Nico van den Brink
2018Brandon Götzinger & Wander TheunisHappy New YearRudi Brekelmans & Frodo Kuipers & Merlijn Passier, Jeroen Scholten van Aschat, Sisters, Medi Broekman
2019Renske de GreefSchool's OutJeroen Scholten van Aschat, Karsten de Vreugd, Michael Middelkoop, Paul de Vrijer
2020Marit WeerheijmEn RoutePepijn van Weeren & Jorgen Scholtens, Victoria Warmerdam, Alkan Coklu, Andy Weir & Ben Brand
2021Guillaume Fournier & Emmanuel TenenbaumFree FallAshgan El-Hamus, Jantiene de Kroon & Remco Polman, Vincent Tilanus, Jan Verdijk, Lucas Camps
2022Milou RhodeSpotlessARIV & Tommaso Genovesi, Demian van der Wekken & Ruma Kaul, Erik van Schaaik, Jan van Gorkum, Pepe Favela
2023Victoria WarmerdamI'M Not a RobotAmy Janna, Caspar van Woudenberg, Claire Zhou, Jan-Kees Joosse

YearFilmDirectorOther Nominees
2013---
2014We HuntVera Holland & Ted AlkemadeStill Can't Hear Her Mouth, Wij en de Wolven
2015--
2016Jimmy on the RunWytse KoetseBeautiful Woman, Exist, The Art of Flying
2017Che!Elsbeth FraanjeI am Famous, I Was Only 14, What TIme is It
2018Girl on a MissionHeleen D'Haens & Eva van BarneveldAnita's Pack, Becoming, Otherland, Robert Mims the Texan Bull Rider
2019Tribe of GhostsAlmichael FraayCommit, Nobu, Now or Never Again, Vishulst: An Amsterdam Picture From IKEA
2020GirlsboysmixLara AertsAuthenticity, Jovanna for Future, Craving to be Touched, No Dog in Amsterdam
2021CamouflageRemco Polman & Jantiene de KroonBekeken, Jabberwocky, Reflection, Tidy Town
2022In Between Glass and WallsRazan HassanBelow the Surface, Modellife, Planktonium, So loud the Sky Can Hear Us
2023Only the Forgotten is RealMona SchierA Precious Shadow, Drag Hunt, Fantoomwijk, I Want to Go Higher, Monsters, Son

YearDirector of PhotographyFilmOther Nominees
2013Martijn CousijnDanielErwan van Buuren, Ivan Hidayat, Maxim Honoré, Robbie van Brussels
2014Wouter VerberktEen Verre ReisCasper Brink, Martijn Cousijn
2015Casper BrinkFast Nacht
2016Tibor DingelstadCopyretteArtyom Zakharenko, Aziz Al-Dilaimi, Mark Lindeberg, Martijn Cousijn
2017Myrthe MosterdmanLaborErik Journée, Florens de Graaf, Noel Schoolderman, Joris Bulstra
2018Casper Van OortSistersAbel van Dijk, Jan Pieter Tuinstra, Thijmen Doornik, Dennis Manda
2019Tim KerboschCrow's NestCristiaan van Leeuwen, Emo Weemhoff, Gregg Telussa, Tom Vorselaars
2020Bo BolderinkManiaMartijn Schinkel, Job van Bijsteren, Kevin Kimman, Henk Otte, Maxime Desmet
2021Stephan PolmanLead BalloonsSam du Pon, Zeno Dockx, Noél Schoolderman, Job Kraaijeveld
2022Christiaan van LeeuwenHantuJan van Ijken, Joris Bulstra, Lawrence Lee, Matija Pekìc, Myrthe Mosterdman
2023Amit Kumar6:00 AMCristiaan van Leeuwen, Jonathan Damborg, Martijn van Broekhuizen, Sveta Aparina, Thijmen Doornik

Mr. Zee Best Editing/Post Production
YearEditorFilmOther Nominees
2013Mischa RozemaStardusJoel Hielckert, Nicolien van Loon, Jan Meij
2014Jan-Willem de KraaijLa CommediaKurt Platvoet, Koen de Mol & Rick Franssen & Olivier Ballast
2015---
2016Wytse KoetseJimmy on the RunGuido F.G. Jeurissen, Pelle Asselbergs, Wietse de Zwart
2017Xander NijstenSweet ToothIvo van Aart, Ruben Labree, Sjoerd Dekker
2018Tobias CornelissenSistersMichiel Boesveldt, Patrick Schonewille, Patrick Janssens, Augustine Huijsser
2019Fatih Tura & Joshua Menco & Tom OudNOBUFatih Tura, Guido Ekker, Kevin Tromp, Tim Straver
2020Patrick SchonewilleRe-EntrySander Kuipers, Robin Piree, Gijs Onvlee, Tim Roza
2021Jean-Baptiste GuignotFree FallPepijn Ashman, Maarten Ernest, Xander Nijsten, Emiel Nuninga
2022Loëlle MonsantoDonnaJoel Heyl & Maarten Welzen, Max Paschke, Nathan Idzinga & Stanley Kolk, Pepijn Ashmann, Tessel Flora de Vries
2023Tessel Flora de VriesJammedDemi Wesselo, Jasper Ten Hoor & Ferrando Meraldi, Johannes de Jong, Joshua Menco, Michiel Boesveldt