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Goshort Yorifotografie 78

The program of 2025

With over 400 national and international professional guests annually, Go Short is a vibrant meeting place. From April 2-6, Go Short organizes an in-depth and inspiring professional program, which gives space to all makers, from film students to experienced artists and from directors to composers. For beginning Dutch makers, the festival is the place to boost their international film careers and put their films in front of international festival programmers, distributors, and other important players in the film industry. Go Short connects, and encourages new collaborations that continue after the festival.    

With various program components, Go Short provides meetings, inspiration and exchange between filmmakers and with other film professionals. For example, during our breakfast meetings we focus on effective networking and connecting broadcasters, distributors and programmers with filmmakers. Additionally, there are networking events that make connecting easy; daily get-togethers, one-on-one conversations, city activities and parties.   

Further, Go Short offers an in-depth professionals program, in which we look at obstacles that both the beginning and established professional encounter. Topics on the agenda this year include doing research, applying AI and (continuing to) develop your own style when doing a paid assignment. In short, a wide variety of opportunities! Be sure to take a look at the full program.    

Overview professionals program

Wednesday 2 April                    
Guest desk open from 14:30 tot 17:30  

15:30-17:00    City Tour Nijmegen  
17:00-18:30    Industry drinks  

Thursday 3 April                    
Guest desk open from 9:30 tot 17:30  

11:00-11:30    How to Festival  
11:30-13:00    Filmmakers brunch  
13:30-14:30    Desk Docs  
15:30-17:00    Go Short x QISSA: How to Network  
15:30-17:00    Lighten the Load: The Ethical Use of AI  
17:00-18:30    Industry Drinks  

Friday 4 April                        
Guest desk open from 9:30 tot 17:30  

10:00-11:00    Breakfast Meetings  
11:30-12:30    Screenwriters meet Producers (Dutch only, registration required)  
13:00-15:00    The Dutch Short Film Pitch  
13:30-15:00    How to Research  
15:30-17:00    A Balancing Act: Commissioning vs Artistry  
16:00-17:00    First Impressions
17:00-18:30    Industry Drinks
19:30-21:30    New Producers Academy: Showcase  

Saturday 5 April                    
Guest desk open from 9:30 tot 17:30  

10:00-12:00    Four Phases of Film Development
10:30-12:00    The Dutch Short Film Preview  
13:30-15:00    Spoedcursus fair practice (Dutch only)  
14:00-17:00    De Writersroom (Dutch only, registration required)  
17:00-18:30    Industry Drinks  
20:00-21:00    The Go Short Awards  

Sunday 6 April                    
Guest desk open from 10:00 tot 12:00  

11:00-13:00    Farewell Brunch  
14:00-15:30    Go Short x OostPact x Studio Camera: Buiten het boekje (Dutch only) 

Program explanation

CITY TOUR NIJMEGEN  

Are you new to Nijmegen and looking for some new festival friends? Then join the city tour. Here we kick off the festival with Nijmegen's hidden gems and iconic bridges. Together with a guide, we wander through the historic streets of Nijmegen to get to know the city and each other better. Are you staying in a homestay? Invite your host to come along! We will be walking though the city, so be sure to bring comfortable shoes.  

  

INDUSTRY DRINKS  
Each day at Go Short, professionals will gather from five o'clock onwards to chat over drinks. Meet, network, have a drink and leave inspired!  

During the industry drinks on Friday, the awards from the Dutch Short Film Pitch will be presented.   

Depending on the weather, the industry drinks will be held at the festival bar outside or the bar inside of the Mariënburg Chapel. More information about this can be found at the guest desk. 

 

HOW TO FESTIVAL  

Are you a filmmaker looking to get the most out of your visit to Go Short? Then join the How to festival session! Here you will hear all the ins & outs about visiting and participating in film festivals. What can a festival offer you? Where do you meet interesting people? Is it necessary to prepare anything, and if so, what? A useful start to your festival week. 

 

FILMMAKERS BRUNCH  

Do you want to meet other filmmakers in a lowkey setting? Then join the Filmmakers Brunch. A great start to the day, where you can get to know your fellow festival attendees and make new connections over a tasty lunch. 

  

DESK DOCS   

Based on their film March 8, 2020: A Memoir, documentary filmmakers Aylin Kuryel and Firat Yucel will give us an insight into the process of making desktop documentaries. March 8 2020: A Memoir is a multi-voiced desktop documentary attempting to find the blind spots of "touristic cameras." A memoir of the Feminist Night March, the last demonstration in Istanbul before the pandemic, deconstructing and reusing tourist and surveillance footage.  

The program consists of watching March 8 2020: A Memoir, with a subsequent conversation between Aylin Kuryel, Firat Yucel and the audience. 

  

GO SHORT X QISSA: HOW TO NETWORK   

QISSA and Go Short are committed to helping the new maker. This year we are doing this together in the form of the Masterclass: How to Network?   

Because how exactly do you do that, networking? How do you introduce yourself, what do (or shouldn’t) you do at network meetings and how do you build a network? Because in the film industry you don't get very far without these connections. But don't worry! From icebreakers to asking good questions, in this master class you will learn everything you need to know.  

LIGHTEN THE LOAD: THE USE OF ETHICAL AI   

Whether we like it or not, artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay. But suppose we see AI not just as a threat and instead as a tool filmmakers can use? In Lighten The Load, we look at concrete applications and tips for using artificial intelligence in the creative process and to reduce a creator's workload. Could AI perhaps even enhance creativity? And what (ethical) considerations should you take into account?  

 

BREAKFAST MEETINGS  

Coffee, croissants and speeddates: the perfect combination if you ask us! Friday starts with breakfast meetings where you will meet important parties from the national and international film industry. Don't miss this morning. 

 

PRODUCERS MEET SCREENWRITERS (REGISTRATION REQUIRED)  

In the weeks before the festival, Dutch screenwriters can sign up for one-on-one interviews with Dutch producers. During these talks you can pitch your ideas, build your network and gain advice from experienced producers.  

 This event is exclusively for writers writing in Dutch and only accessible with a registration prior to the festival. This session is made possible by the Lira Fund. 

THE DUTCH SHORT FILM PITCH  

On Friday afternoon we will present ten homegrown short film projects: five films in development and five films in production. Join the pitch to see and hear which new films are on the horizon and which creators you should definitely keep a close eye on. The participating films will be announced in March. Stay tuned! The film projects are worth the wait....  

The Dutch Short Film Pitch is organized in cooperation with Screen Talent NL and made possible by the CFAP. 

  

HOW TO RESEARCH   

Doing research is essential in making a (short) film. Thorough research offers depth, nuance and realism. But how do you tackle this? Which steps can or should you take before you put pen to paper?   

To answer these questions, Go Short is organizing a masterclass on doing research. In this masterclass, you will learn to look outside your own world, how to build contacts and of course how to engage with other people's stories. In short, a full and varied program.  

  

A BALANCING ACT: COMMISSIONS VS ARTISTRY  

Doing commissioned work helps filmmakers earn money and build a (more) sustainable working practice. But how can you ensure that when doing commercial work, you can continue to experiment to further develop your own voice and style? On Friday afternoon, learn how to gain (as much) creative freedom as possible while still being able to pay your rent.  

 Moderated by Luuk Heezen, speakers Emma Branderhorst (director) and Gijs Kerbosch (producer 100%) will give advice on how makers can find clients that fit their style, and how they can ensure that they respect the wishes of the client while creating enough creative freedom for themselves. Everything to pay the bills.  

  

FIRST IMPRESSIONS  

A good start is half the battle. This is true for almost anything, but especially for a short film. The first scene of a short film is always a promise to the audience. The first scene should grab your attention and draw you into the adventure of the film.   

During First Impressions, you get the chance to showcase the opening of your short film in front of an expert panel. Upload your film on Vimeo or via a USB and seize this opportunity to receive valuable feedback. 

 

BUITEN HET BOEKJE (DUTCH SPOKEN)  

Go Short, OostPact and Studio Camera join forces to answer the question how you can  finance your film in alternative ways. Outside of the well-known ways and big funds? Moderator Luuk Heezen talks to three filmmakers and asks them about the inventive ways that they have found financing for their films.  

THE DUTCH SHORT FILM PREVIEW   

For years, the Dutch Short Film Preview, a private screening for international programmers and distributors, has been a unique opportunity for international programmers to see brand new Dutch short films that haven’t premiered yet. Programmers, distributors and buyers receive an invitation to be the first to see films and are able to scout the films and engage in conversation with the makers. This session is by invitation only. You can sign up by responding to your invitation. 

  

SPOEDCURSUS FAIR PRACTICE (DUTCH SPOKEN)  

Together with the Ketentafel Film en AV, we will dive into the world of fair practice on Saturday afternoon. Get insights into what you're worth, what format of shooting days is allowed and how to apply the Ketentafel’s practice tools. Using the tools from the Ketentafel, creators will gain tools to be stronger in contract negotiations. Learn how to use these tools during the course.  

 This event will be held in Dutch, is organized in collaboration with the Ketentafel Film/AV, and made possible by the CFAP. 

 

WRITERS ROOM (DUTCH SPOKEN, REGISTRATION REQUIRED) 

Ready to take your scriptwriting skills to the next level? Then sign up for the writers room. In this two-part program - one session during Go Short and one session a month later - you get the chance to work with script coach Gwyneth Sleutel and receive valuable feedback on your short film script.   

This event is exclusive to writers who write in Dutch and only accessible with a pre-festival registration. This session is made possible by the Lira Fund. 

 

FAREWELL BRUNCH  

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end: as does Go Short. On Sunday, it's time to say goodbye to your new festival friends and old acquaintances. Stop by one last time for a toast! Go Short will host a delicious brunch where we reflect on all the great short films we watched and the connections we made. We're already looking forward to the next film adventure.... 

 

Will you join?

Request your accreditation. Until Feb. 21 you can still get an accreditation for €45 instead of €60.

GS24 Writers Meet Producers [Emiel Janssen] 101