Next Real Talks: HOMEGROWN HORROR

Next Real Talks brings creatives together for open conversations about the realities of creative life — with insights in a work process both the struggles and success. In an intimate and interactive setting, we create space for honest dialogue, listening, and picking each other’s brains.  

During this talk we explore the idea of homegrown horror:  shedding the light on a genre that is growing, also in the local film making industry. But how can you make horror on limited budgets? What sort of themes play a role in the work of creators? And how do you implement your gory ideas? An exploration of how to work in the genre, what it entails to make horror and why horror is flourishing is the current state of society.
The moderated panel brings together creatives at different stages of their filmmaking careers. We will welcome filmmaker and writer Jan van Gorkum and animation generalist and illustrator Zlatelina Tsokova. The audience is most welcome to interact and ask questions. 

Date
24 March 2026
Location(s)
Natlab, Eindhoven
Time
20:00 - 22:00
Tickets
€10 | €5 Students

Jan van Gorkum is a filmmaker and writer. He graduated as a filmmaker from the Utrecht School of the Arts (HKU), where he studied Audiovisual Media.

He has directed and written several short films that have been screened at numerous festivals in the Netherlands and abroad and have regularly won awards. He is the founder and festival director of the Zuidelijk Film Festival in Tilburg.

Jan is interested to combine genres, but has a preference for black comedy, thriller, fantasy, and horror. He is currently working on his first feature film, Shiny New World

Zlatelina Tsokova is an animation generalist and illustrator with a passion for storytelling through motion and design. She is specialised in 2D animation but also enjoys working on concept art and storyboarding. Her style ranges from edgy, underground aesthetics to playful, kid-friendly visuals, always tailored to the tone of the story.

She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Design: Illustration and Animation, and a Master’s Degree in Animation (MIVC St. Joost, Den Bosch). Currently, she is part of our Next Talent program.