Koen van Driel is a writer/director of short films from Utrecht. After graduating from AKV St Joost Academy in Breda he combined working in the commercial field for various clients, with making his own short films mostly during 48-hour competitions.
In his work Koen explore themes like attention, presence in a distracted world, and human interconnectedness with nature. He loves experimenting with sound design and sensory storytelling, using audio not just to support the story, but to make the viewer more aware of the world around them.
He focusses on visual and auditory elements to create a space where viewers can slow down and connect with their emotions, offering a break from the constant rush of daily life. His aim is to encourage a different kind of engagement with film, one that values feeling over explanation. He believes there’s beauty in quietness and that sometimes, less talking allows for more genuine connection.
The characters he works with are either caught up in distraction and have a distorted view of the world, or they are fully present and deeply connected to everything around them. In his artistic process he often starts with the ‘how” instead of the “what” or “why”. His projects often focus on new techniques to fully engage the viewer in the story.
Even with a quick glance, Koen’s works easily stand out. His determination, focus and work ethic are surely going to distinguish him as a strong presence in our 2026 – 2027 generation of Next Talents.