“What’s up Next?” is a series of articles and interviews meant to better showcase the trajectories of our Next Talents.
We are meeting the 2025-2026 generation in two key moments: at the start of their trajectory – focussing on finding out more about the artists and what they expect from the program, and at the end of their course, discussing the things they picked up on the way.
With this first interview we are introducing you to filmmaker Stijn van Drunen.
Stijn van Drunen is a filmmaker from Den Bosch, currently working as a creative and editor at Fabel Film in Tilburg. His path into filmmaking has been largely self-taught, driven by curiosity, passion, and a deep love creating stories.
We asked Stijn to tell us a bit about himself. “I studied AV at Sint Lucas in Eindhoven but would describe myself primarily as a self-taught filmmaker. From a young age I was obsessed with telling stories through video, starting with stop-motion films and homemade VFX projects in my teenage years. Professionally, I now work as a creative and editor at Fabel Film in Tilburg, where I develop, direct and edit all wildly different kinds of commercials and corporate video content. Alongside my commercial work, I’ve been steadily building a body of self-initiated fiction projects. These include short films such as Rottweiler and Zet Maar Op De Rekening.”
Rottweiler is also one of the projects closest to Stijn’s heart. “It’s the very first “big” short film I’ve written & directed. That film, while making it, felt like the cumulation of the previous 10 years leading up to it. Every lesson learned. Every mentor’s advice. Every skill acquired. It all came together trying to build this project from nothing; and making it into something worth watching. After this project I started trying out different types of films/genres. Mostly to challenge myself. But I still feel like Rottweiler is closest to the type of films I eventually would like to make”.
We asked Stijn also what he thinks distinguishes him from other filmmakers. “I think my way of working is a healthy balance between knowing what works professionally, but also being able to follow my instincts. Being confident enough to be able to say: ‘I think this’ll work even though it might break some industry rules & standards’. I know how to turn limitations into creative fuel. It’s how I started out and it’s how I still like to get a lot of stuff done.”
We were curious about a project inspiring Stijn: “This one’s personal and not very well-known. In 2023 I accompanied my good friend and writer/director Nick Janssen for 6 weeks in North-Macedonia to shoot his very first feature film. I feel very personally attached to this project because whilst there, we had to walk the trenches to hell and back to get this film made.
Considering the circumstances we had to work in, it’s an absolute miracle that we actually finished this project. It taught me about resilience and willpower. After that project I had a newly-found confidence. Something inside me clicked. ‘If I can survive that shooting period; I can survive anything’. No set I’ve been on since has ever been nearly as challenging. I feel like I can handle anything that a film set could possible throw at me. I’ll manage.”
How did Stijn find out about the Next Talent program?
“I learned about the program through my good friend and producer Nino van der Steen. We were discussing my future as a writer/director and he thought now might be the perfect time for me to make the leap from an experimenting online filmmaker to a real writer/director. Having read up on it, and having felt stuck in my ways for the last couple of years; this shake-up/challenge seemed perfect to me as well.”
We also asked him what he wanted to achieve through the trajectory: “I want to make the leap from being a “maker” to being a “maker with a voice”. Someone that makes actual films; not just short experiments for YouTube. The last 15+ years have thought me a lot; but I’m ready to take it to the next step. I’ve always had the instinct to tell stories, but I’m still learning to trust myself. Through this program, I hope to work on my artistic identity and build the confidence to do larger, more ambitious fiction projects. I also hope to connect with other makers and mentors who challenge and expand my thinking.”
When it came to choosing a dream mentor, Stijn didn’t hesitate: “My answer to this question is such a cliche; but if they could get me in a room with Quentin Tarantino I might actually faint. Maybe it’s because I know he also self-taught a lot. His knowledge doesn’t come from any film-school or course or whatever. He just watched a lot of movies and then, whilst making his own, just followed his own instincts. That’s something I resonate with, and also admire”.
Given his passion, ambition and determination, we’re very excited to see the wonderful things Stijn will create during the Next Talent Program and beyond!