At the Van Bijlandtplaats

Buddy Film Foundation: starting point for refugee film professionals

Name: Manhave Vastgoed
Price range: $

Buddy Film Foundation is a non-profit starting point and platform for refugee filmmakers, actors and creatives. Learn more about this interesting foundation.

Love the City

9 February 2022

By Lisanne Van Beurden

Buddy Film Foundation guides refugee filmmakers, actors and creatives to work, education and offers (emerging) talents a network. The foundation was founded in 2017 by actress Dewi Reijs, director Dennis Overeem and producer In-Soo Radstake.

Making the film world more accessible

Dewi Reijs, founder of the foundation and the associated Buddy Film Productions & Buddy Film Casting: "The idea of Buddy Film Foundation arose during the Netherlands Film Festival. We were asked if we could help ten refugee filmmakers. This has grown into a file of more than 200 participants and two offices in Rotterdam and Amsterdam."

It is clear, according to Dewi, that such an organization was necessary. "The film world is a real network driven industry in which it is important to know the right people. Vacancies cannot simply be found on a website, which means that this world is not accessible for many people."

Dewi Reijs, founder van Buddy Film Foundation.

The casting of actors

Diversity and inclusion are paramount at the foundation. In addition to casting well-known professional actors, they regularly discover new talent for film, TV and theater productions.

"During auditions, we pay attention to the credibility of the game and whether someone fits the role. We like to think outside the box. For example, we put extra women on a proposal if it is a male role," says Dewi.

Recent Buddy Film Foundation projects

What movies or projects from Buddy Film Foundation can we come across in the near future? "With Buddy Film Casting, we have cast roles for the youth film Strijder, feature film White Berry and the Buurt Tories series. In the spring we will premiere with Buddy Film Productions in Rotterdam with the location performance Trojaanse Wijven: a unique theatrical experience in swimming pools about flight, war and migration starring five women."

Dewi continues: "In 2022 we also started a two-year program for 20 participants, the Buddy Career Boost. The goal is to let participants move from social benefits to creative entrepreneurship."

Van Bijlandtplaats

Buddy Film Foundation has a location in Rotterdam and Amsterdam. In Rotterdam, the foundation is located at Van Bijlandtplaats 31. Why was this location chosen? Dewi: "It is very centrally located and it is close to various cultural institutions. The station is also within walking distance, which means that we are also easily accessible for our colleagues and customers from Amsterdam."

Read more about our office spaces in Rotterdam and contact us for options.

It is very centrally located and it is close to various cultural institutions. The station is also within walking distance, which means that we are also easily accessible for our colleagues and customers from Amsterdam.

Dewi Reijs about the location on the Van Bijlandtplaats 31