Meet the Fellows of Class ’24 —a dynamic group of emerging producers, each bringing their unique vision and passion to the world of film development and production. These talented individuals are committed to telling authentic stories that reflect a wide range of perspectives, with the goal of making the industry more culturally rich. Learn more about the class of ’24 and how they’re working to shape the future of storytelling.
Marre Tramper grew up in a vibrant household infused with both Indonesian and Dutch influences. Even at a young age, she noticed a lack of cultural representation in the Dutch media, which quickly shaped her vision and ambition. During her studies in fashion & branding, this desire for more cultural diversity in the media only grew stronger.
Later in her career, she attempted to realize this vision by working as a creative and video producer. However, she found that introducing the idea of working with diverse young talent and advocating for broader cultural representation didn’t gain much traction, as the industry seemed to prioritize other concerns. When working as a production manager on her first fiction production SNOR (2023) she finally felt seen.
Marre’s mission as a producer is to create stories that reflect cultural diversity, ensuring that future generations, regardless of their backgrounds, feel seen, heard, and valued within the Dutch film industry.
Peggy Gemerts is a Surinamese-Dutch film professional and founder of Full Color Entertainment and online streaming platform Pepr. After graduating Film and Television Studies in 2004, she started as a text editor in media and grew through marketing at several film distributors to become an independent film distributor.
Since 2015 she has been able to give filmmakers of color a platform with Full Color Entertainment by distributing films that would otherwise not be released or by supporting distributors and producers in the release of their films.
As of November 2020, she is also the owner of Pepr, an online stage for films by Black filmmakers and stories from the African diaspora. Film production is a new field to explore and a way to come closer to filmmakers in telling their stories.
Rudina Gomez is a producer, creative producer, and storyteller from Bonaire with a passion for media production that began at an early age. In 2017, she moved to the Netherlands to study Media and Culture at Utrecht University, driven by her vision of becoming a producer and eventually establishing her own production company. While her studies were largely theoretical, Rudina sought practical experience, launching her career in 2019 as a self-taught producer with a mission to support underrepresented creatives in bringing their stories to life.
Throughout her journey, Rudina became aware of the lack of diversity and inclusion in the audiovisual industry, particularly for creators from marginalized communities like hers. Having experienced these barriers firsthand, she is committed to changing the landscape for Caribbean creatives.
Now a fellow at the New Producers Academy, Rudina focuses not only on her own growth as a film producer but also on creating pathways for Caribbean makers to succeed in the Dutch film industry. She is dedicated to ensuring that stories from her community reach the big screen.
Jeansen Djaoen, born on January 21, 1987, knew from an early age that he wanted to do something in the media. At a young age, he and his friends were already busy making videos and sketches for local TV stations. The Netherlands got to know Jeansen through the NPO documentaries ‘Lost boys’ and ‘Lost Boys, 5 years later’, where he was the subject, and the failure of aid in the Netherlands was painfully highlighted. Despite a rough background and hopeless opportunities, Jeansen has waged a titanic battle and shown that with hard work you can achieve anything you want. Starting as a radio reporter at youth station NPO FunX, he has since grown to editor-in-chief for radio and projects, where he is responsible for weekend programming and major projects like the FunX Music Awards. Jeansen is also the owner of the media company ‘Goonsquad Media’, with which he has worked as a director, producer, researcher, etc. for various formats such as ‘Jojanneke in de prostitution‘, ‘KULT‘, Drop it and he made his debut as a director and producer with the documentary ‘The school advice‘.
Now, Jeansen is ready to take the next step in his career and start working as a full-fledged producer.
Baran is originally from Iran and holds a master’s degree in Illustration. She began her professional career as an illustrator and animator, following her passion for many years. In 2022, she made the decision to leave her homeland and immigrate to the Netherlands, where she pursued a second master’s degree in Animation at St. Joost University.
Her master’s graduation project, The Deer (2023), metaphorically shares her experience of immigration. The Deer has been selected for prestigious festivals, including the Stuttgart Film Festival and the Zlín Film Festival. Alongside her art, Baran is now pursuing a path as a producer, with the aim of helping artists like herself achieve their dreams.
Born and raised in Curaçao, Elizabeth is a writer-director and emerging film producer now based in Amsterdam. Her work focuses on themes of colourism, familial bonds, absurdism, and magical realism, always aiming to highlight Caribbean stories. As a 2023 fellow of the New Producers Academy (NPA), Elizabeth dedicates her craft to amplifying voices from the Caribbean and tackling urgent themes.
Her short film Roba Alma premiered at the Curaçao International Film Festival, marking a milestone as the first Filmfonds-funded production from Curaçao. Her other short, Sin Ayó, has been screened at several film festivals and received multiple accolades. Elizabeth is currently producing her first short documentary, Alex, while continuing to develop fiction projects that showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Dutch Caribbean. She is passionate about elevating diverse stories and bringing them to the forefront of the global cinema stage.
Born and raised in The Netherlands to parents with roots in Hong Kong, Terry Tao is a film producer based in The Hague. He primarily focuses on producing stories from the Dutch-Asian community that touch upon themes like bicultural identity and representation.
While studying Marketing Management and exploring his interests in filmmaking, Terry managed to build a strong network within the Dutch-Asian creative community. This led him to become the producer for CinemAsia FilmLAB in 2023, a talent development programme part of CinemAsia Film Festival. Soon after, Terry completed his first feature film project Happy Palace (2024), one of the first Dutch feature films with a primarily Dutch-Chinese cast and crew, working as production coordinator.
His ambition as a film producer to build the Dutch-Asian creative community and to fill the gap in Dutch-Asian representation in the film and media landscape eventually aligned with the New Producers Academy, where he kickstarted his career as a film producer. Terry is currently wrapping up his NPA project Reclaiming Dragons , a hybrid live action/3D animation short film.
Tatevik is an animation line producer and production coordinator with a background in design and animation. She specializes in the production of 2D (both digital and analogue) and stop-motion films and is actively expanding her expertise in VFX and live-action production. Known for her focus on bold visuals and critically aware storytelling, Tatevik aims to work on projects that are visually compelling while creating space for authentic, playful stories that resonate with audiences. She ensures that each step in her process is intentional, aiming for results that are genuine, educational, or simply beautiful for viewers.
After premiering her first film (a graduation project) at the Netherlands Film Festival and other festivals worldwide, Tatevik refined her network and skills with support from the New Producers Academy. In recent months, she has worked on several animated films and series, including hybrids with live-action. Looking ahead, Tatevik hopes to further immerse herself in various productions, exploring the intricacies of animation and contributing to the larger vision of seeing meaningful stories brought to life through artistry.
Karim Mrabti (1990) is a Rotterdam-based film producer with a background in international events and film production. After founding the music, art, and culture festival Atlas Electronic in Marrakech, he developed a passion for storytelling through film. His work focuses on producing universal narratives by emerging creators of color, aiming to connect with global audiences.
Karim worked as a producer on various projects, including the VPRO series Yous & Yay: In Het Wild and the short films TOLK, SURPRISE, BURNERS, ISAIDTOME, and Dear Summer. He also co-wrote and produced the Palestinian short film Last Shot, directed by Parham Rahimzadeh. As Associate Producer, he contributed to Porte Bagage, the first feature film by Zouka, directed by Abdelkarim El-Fassi.
He has also worked as a producer for film festivals such as IFFR and NFF. Karim defines himself as a producer with a maker’s heart, where nothing seems impossible. Driven by a commitment to cultural diversity and impactful storytelling, he strives to create films that resonate on all levels.
Naomi Wills grew up in a vibrant Surinamese family in Groningen, where her exposure to art, travel, and diverse experiences shaped her global outlook. Noticing the limited representation in Dutch mainstream media, she found a stronger connection in American pop culture, which fueled her passion for storytelling. While studying Media and Entertainment Management in Rotterdam, Naomi discovered her love for filmmaking after an unexpected opportunity on a film set.
After three months at Scenery, where she primarily focused on preparing grant applications for national and international funding, she is now working as an Executive Producer at Tangerine Tree. At Tangerine, she has made significant strides in expanding her knowledge of producing documentaries within the Dutch landscape.She has successfully secured additional funding from the ZOZ Fund and the V Fund for an NPA short film project, championing stories that showcase diversity in both literal and figurative ways. Recognized with the NPA Fellowship, she has further solidified her commitment to social change through media.
Currently, Naomi is primarily focused on gaining as much hands-on experience as possible. at Tangerine Tree. She is also exploring new documentary and hybrid film projects aimed at reshaping Dutch media narratives. Driven by her belief in the transformative power of film, Naomi remains dedicated to elevating marginalized communities and sparking meaningful dialogue through her work.
Meet the Fellows of Class ’22—the very first cohort of the New Producers Academy, who have now become fully-fledged producers. Each successfully completed their NPA shorts, showcasing their unique vision and passion for storytelling. After a successful showcase in April 2024, many of their films premiered at festivals, with some even winning awards. From documentaries and hybrids to animation and fiction with science fiction elements, these filmmakers have proven their commitment to bold, authentic storytelling. Now, as they continue to build their careers, the momentum from the NPA fellowship continues to drive them forward.
Based in Amsterdam, Yordi Werkzam is a creative producer and writer with a passion for storytelling that amplifies voices from stigmatized cultures and identities. Having studied International Business with a minor in TV and Media Production at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Yordi’s global experiences—from living in Los Angeles and Chile to Seoul, South Korea—have deepened his appreciation for cultural diversity and individuality. Through SOMA, the full-service film production company he co-founded with Nizar El Manouzi, Yordi explores innovative ways to tell unique stories that challenge traditional storytelling boundaries. His work focuses on themes like cultural identity and social justice, aiming to provide unique narratives and perspectives.
At SOMA, Yordi is committed to projects that align with his mission of amplifying diverse voices and fostering understanding. Recent works include producing “WANNABE SUCCESSFUL” (2024) and the short film “SNOR” (2023). He is currently developing several projects under the SOMA banner, including a feature film, a short film, and a Dutch television series. These projects are conceived with originality and sincerity, bridging the gap between commercial and art.
Yordi’s broader mission in filmmaking is to create impact beyond the medium itself. Through SOMA, he aims to produce films that serve as catalysts for change or as starting points for larger programs—such as the BURNER impact program that will be launched alongside the “Burners” film. He is dedicated to showcasing stories crafted by filmmakers whose lived experiences bring authenticity and depth to their work. By fostering strong relationships with creators and their subjects, Yordi seeks to create space for nuanced conversations, inspiring underrepresented voices in media, and shifting narratives. He looks forward to continuing this journey and making impactful films for years to come.
Nizar El Manouzi, with a background in philosophy and medicine, has a passion for storytelling and inspiring people. He works as an actor and presenter at Het Klokhuis, where he translates complex topics into accessible and engaging content for a broad audience. This work allows him to be authentic and engaged—two values he holds dear and considers essential in everything he does.
His interest in producing stems from a deep desire not only to be in front of the camera but also to have an impact on the entire process behind the scenes. For Nizar, producing is the ultimate way to shape and bring stories to life, giving him the creative freedom to highlight themes that resonate with him, such as authenticity and humanity. He sees producing as a unique combination of heart, intellect, and decisiveness.
As a queer producer born in China and raised in the Netherlands, Emilia knows how crucial diversity and representation in media can be—not only to see oneself reflected on screen but also to build a sense of community, both for audiences and creators. She is passionate about creating accessible yet nuanced fiction, particularly for and by queer people. Emilia has produced a variety of projects, including the web series pilot Bittersweet (dir. Lara Sluyter), available on 3Lab’s YouTube channel, and the NPA-short film Morgen doen we het beter (dir. Jottum Kok), which premiered at IFFR 2024 and continues to screen at (inter)national festivals. This film is also part of the educational programme at the Netherlands Film Festival.
Emilia produced the HKU-graduation film Wij zijn de spoken (dir. Alisa Noa), which won Best Graduation Film at the Netherlands Film Festival and received the NPO3LAB fund in 2024. Based in Rotterdam, Emilia graduated with a degree in Creative Business in 2022, began her fellowship at the New Producers Academy that same year, and currently works at Volya Films.
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