How does a filmmaker move from the compact intensity of short films to the broader canvas of a feature, while staying true to their creative voice? In this in-depth masterclass, filmmaker Sven Bresser takes participants inside the artistic and practical journey behind his feature debut Rietland (2025), using the session as a live case study for professionals ready to take their next step.
Rietland premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2025 and was selected as the film to represent the Netherlands at the Academy Awards. This masterclass actively discusses the choices, breakthroughs, and challenges that shaped Sven’s path. He will dissect scenes from his own work and share the influences that guided him. The session explores how early short-film success can open doors, the shifting dynamics between short and feature production, and the specific process of working regionally with non-actors and limited means. Throughout, Sven reflects on the creative freedom that emerges when filmmakers trust both their instincts and their environment.
Speaker: Sven Bresser
Moderator: Luuk Heezen
About the speaker
Sven Bresser is a filmmaker based in the Netherlands. After graduating from the Utrecht School of the Arts, his first short film L'été et tout le reste (2018), premiered at the 75th Venice International Film Festival, was selected for the Toronto International Film Festival, and screened at numerous other festivals. He went on to make two mid-length films, Free Fight (2018) and She Used to Sing Here (2021). His feature debut, Rietland (2025), premiered at the Semaine de la Critique competition in Cannes, was widely screened at festivals worldwide, and won multiple awards. The film was released theatrically in several countries.
Free access with an Industry/Student Accreditation, no prior registration required. A limited amount of tickets for sale is available for regular audience.