Angstdroom

The debut short film Angstdroom follows a young woman trapped in a recurring nightmare. Each night is the same, until one night she moves forward—and now, her fate is in her own hands. The film has won multiple awards, including the Stimulation Award at TWENTE SHORT.

My first short film

Angstdroom was the first short film I created, and it was a thrilling experience from start to finish. Our goal was to make a psychological thriller that would keep viewers in a constant state of discomfort throughout the film. The idea was to play with tension and unease, leaving the audience on edge as the story unfolded. I worked on this project while following the minor audiovisual storytelling at Saxion University in Enschede, where I learned a great deal about both filmmaking and scriptwriting.

One of the most valuable lessons for me was how storytelling can influence the mood of a film. The course taught me how to use camera angles and movement to evoke emotions and control the atmosphere in each scene. While this was incredibly helpful, I did face creative challenges. In retrospect, I realized that I played it too safe by relying on existing films for shot inspiration, missing the chance to experiment with more creative and unique angles.

The feeling of completing the project was overwhelming, especially after 20 weeks of hard work. However, the most unforgettable moment was hosting our own premiere in front of over 100 people. These guests came specifically to watch Angstdroom and learn about the filmmaking process, which made the experience even more rewarding.

My role

I worked as the Director of Photography, making sure the director’s vision and mine came to life. During preproduction, I helped scout locations that would look great on camera and ensured nearby facilities were accessible. I also managed our Instagram account and organized the necessary equipment for the shoot. After finalizing the gear, I designed the storyboard and wrote the shot list. On set, I was responsible for the visual style, giving instructions to the gaffer and camerawoman, and handling complex shots when needed. In postproduction, I made sure the editing matched the film’s visual identity and supported the editor as needed.

Stimulation Award TWENTE SHORT

At the 2024 TWENTE SHORT film festival, our short film Angstdroom was one of the 11 nominees from over 60 films submitted and was honored with the Stimulation Award. This recognition was a significant milestone for us, highlighting the hard work and creativity we put into the project. The festival brought together an inspiring community of filmmakers, and it was exciting to see our work stand out.

The Stimulation Award encourages filmmakers to keep developing their craft and pushing boundaries. For us, it’s a reminder to continue taking creative risks and to strive for even more impactful storytelling in future projects.