film & Television

Secret letter

SECRET LETTER

2010

11-year-old Eva runs away from home to make her parents understand her feelings. But when she discovers a secret letter and is caught by the neighbor, who happens to be the leader of a criminal organization, her plan takes an unexpected turn. Based on Jan Terlouw’s famous book.

Simone van Dusseldorp directed this feature film
Screenplay by Marco van Geffen en Anna van der Heide
Producers Eva Eisenloeffel, Leontine Petit en Joost de Vries
Broadcaster VPRO

Won The Best Dutch Children’s Film at the Cinekid Film Festival and the Golden Film (more than 100.000 visitors) andFirst prize for best feature film for children at the international film festival “Nueva Mirada” in Buenos Aires

Grandma is Crazy!

2011

Saäda is excited for her grandmother from Suriname to visit the Netherlands. However, as she witnesses her grandmother’s eccentric behavior, Saäda starts feeling ashamed and begins to wish that her grandmother would go back to Suriname.

Direction Simone van Dusseldorp
Screenplay Glynis Terborg
Starring Jetty Mathurin

Nominated for the prix de jeunesse and the First prize Children’s Jury Award at the International Film Festival in Antwerp.

Frogs & toads

FROGS & TOADS

2009

Max has an important mission: find some frogspawn for his older brother. Together with his girlfriend Jesse he makes an adventurous journey along fields, farms and a forest, which eventually leads to his grandma’s home. On his journey through nature he’s accompanied by many animals chearfull songs.
Frogs & toads is a feature film.

CREDITS

Script and direction: Simone van Dusseldorp
Produced by Lemming film Leontine Petit, Joost de Vries
Starring: Nino den Brave, Whitney Franker, Juul Vrijdag, Georgina Verbaan, Remko Vrijdag, Quintis Risti.

Won The Audience Award for Best Film at the Kristiansland International Children’s Film Festival in Norway, Best Feature Film at the Duvircine Film Festival in Uruguay Audience Award at the International Youth Film Festival in Korea and Jury Award as a special mention from the children’s jury at Youth Nueva Miranda in Argentina Golden Film (more than 100.000 visitors)

Abi

ABI

2007

This multicultural preschool drama series follows the adventures of Abi, a 6-year-old girl from the Bijlmer neighborhood. Each day, she encounters interesting events and meets fascinating people, learning about their culture, traditions, and lifestyles. From unique birthdays to funeral rituals, rivalry, and friendship, Abi explores the diverse world around her. The show provides a playful introduction to the multicultural climate of the Netherlands in 2008.

Directed by Simone van Dusseldorp
Screenplay by Sabrina Sugriato
Produced by KRO Jeugd and IJswater Films

Won a nomination for the 2008 Beeld en Geluid Awards in the youth category.

Koest!

KOEST! | DOGGIE

“When little Dédé says something, nobody listens to him. At school, he is the smallest, and at home, his parents don’t have time. One day, Dédé befriends a dog, and from that moment on, he no longer speaks but barks. His father is at a loss: what do you do with a barking son?”

Simone van Dusseldorp directed this short film
Screenplay: Mieke de Jong
Producer Lemming film

Won “at the International Children’s Film Festival in Cairo, Egypt, the film was chosen as the best short film by the professional jury and also received the 2nd prize from the children’s jury. At the Swedish youth film festival BUFF in Malmo, ‘Koest’ was awarded the Scandinavian Region Skåne Short Film Prize 2008.”

Subiet!

SUBIET! | AT ONCE!

2006

Subiet! portrays the confusing adolescence of Sabrina, a fourteen-year-old girl with a passion for cycling in the rural Brabant region. As she grapples with her emotions and the pressure not to be left behind when her friend enters a relationship, she becomes involved with an older seasonal worker. The film illustrates the challenges of growing up.

Screenplay and direction Simone van Dusseldorp
Produced by Lemming film

“Subiet!” has been nominated for the Golden Calf award.

Deep

DIEP | DEEP

2005

Ten years after the heyday of the hippie era, the freedom that was won proves to be causing more problems. Heleen (Klaver) grows up in the late 1970s in what was then called an open family. Her parents separate and speak openly about their infidelity. The nearly 14-year-old girl struggles with the question of what true love entails and whether it has anything to do with sex. Director Van Dusseldorp impresses with her contemplative, intimate style and has created a moving, subtle film in which the 1970s are significantly less relaxed than some commercials would have us believe.

Direction Simone van Dusseldorp
Screenplay Tamara Bos
Producer Marc Bary IJswater films

Simone van Dusseldorp’s debut film “Diep” won the award for Best Film at the Geneva Film Festival. Additionally, lead actress Melody Klaver received a Tudor Award for Best Actress.Melody Klaver, who portrays the character of Heleen, won the Tudor Award for Best Actress for her “natural and sincere interpretation and her instinctive way of acting,” as stated by the jury. Klaver was also nominated for a Golden Calf at the Netherlands Film Festival.

Secrets of the schoolyard

GEHEIMEN VAN HET SCHOOLPLEIN |
SECRETS OF THE SCHOOLYARD

2003

A children’s series created as a sequel to the highly successful “Geheime Gedachten” (Secret Thoughts). In this series, you experience the same playtime from a different child’s perspective, including their thoughts. “Geheimen van het Schoolplein”

Screenplay and direction: Simone van Dusseldorp.
Production by VPRO.

Secrets of the Schoolyard was produced by VPRO and broadcasted on Villa Achterwerk. The series was accompanied by an extensive website where you could hear even more “secret thoughts” from each child about others.

First prize Prix de Europe for the website of “Geheimen van het Schoolplein” (Secrets of the Schoolyard).

Secret thoughts

GEHEIME GEDACHTEN | SECRET THOUGHTS

2001

A children’s series that focuses on the thoughts of children that they prefer to keep secret. Each episode revolves around a child with thoughts they feel ashamed of or are afraid to express.

Written and directed by Simone van Dusseldorp
Produced by VPRO

Won prestigieuze internationale Prix De Jeunesse voor de kinderserie “Geheime Gedachten”.
Dutch Academy Awards, “Het Gouden Beeld” (The Golden Statue), and nomination for the “De Grote Kinderkast Prijs at Cinekid. 50th Prix Jeunesse included in the top 25 best children’s TV programs worldwide.
Included in top 25 best children’s TV programs worldwide.
Won prestigious international Prix De Jeunesse for the children’s series “Geheime Gedachten” (Secret Thoughts).

Exit

EXIT

Renate is overwhelmed by emotions after her boyfriend ends their relationship. In an impulsive haze, she commits a shoplifting act in a department store, and subsequently, a security guard takes her to an isolated room. When she finally emerges, she is confronted with a bewildering discovery: the entire department store is completely deserted. Amidst this surreal environment, she finds a way to process her emotions and rediscover herself.

Director – Simone van Dusseldorp
Producer – Marc Bary, Ilana Netiv Stars
Starring Lidewij Mahler, Damien Hope, Michiel Huisman, Dick Tuinder