This program is part of the Film & Talent Industry Day. Explore the full program here.
The journey of Michael Middelkoop proves that starting small doesn’t mean thinking small. What began with self-made videos and the hit web series Vakkenvullers grew into the feature film Vakkenvullers XL — and ultimately recognition at the highest level of Dutch cinema, including the prestigious Golden Calf.
His story is simple but powerful: stay authentic, tell the stories you know, and build step by step. From YouTube to the big screen, Middelkoop shows that with passion and persistence, DIY can take you all the way to the top!
Michael Middelkoop is a writer, director, and creative producer from Amsterdam.
After studying Film Studies at the University of Amsterdam, Michael began his career in advertising. He first worked as a creative at various agencies before switching to directing commercials for Adidas, TELE2, Lego, Asics, among others, winning awards such as CCB, Spin Awards, Lovies, Merit, Jong Nederlands Talent, a Bronze Lion in Cannes in 2015, and a Webby in 2018.
Michael’s debut film Netflix & Chill was screened worldwide at festivals in 2017 and earned him a nomination in the Debut Competition of the Netherlands Film Festival. From 2018 to 2022, his acclaimed web series Vakkenvullers (Meet the Stockers) achieved record views on YouTube, and the format was sold to several countries in Europe, most notably as an Amazon Prime original in Germany.
In 2019, he directed Snor. This short film had its world premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and its North American premiere at the Palm Springs International Shortfest.
In 2020, he directed the TV film Cronos (winner of Hollyshorts 2021) for broadcaster BNNVARA, followed in 2022 by the critically acclaimed TV series Zina for KRO-NCRV, which earned him a nomination for best series at the 2022 Rockie Awards at the Banff World Media Festival.
In 2024, as part of ‘Koolhoven presents’, he made Trauma Porn Club, which premiered at the 2024 International Film Festival Rotterdam. A highlight is the Golden Calf for directing the film Dit is geen Kerstfilm, which premiered at the Dutch Film Festival 2024.
In 2025, the film Streetcoaches vs. Aliens (available on Amazon Prime) and the film Vakkenvullers XL were released.
