Team — Queer Film Festival Utrecht

Annabet Langkamp (she/her) Jury - 10 Minute Challenge

Annabet Langkamp, business director at Kaboom Animation Festival, studied Film & Television at the University of Amsterdam, made short films at Studenten TV and worked many years as the production coordinator and HR Manager at International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA). As a festival director, she is very much into creating a welcoming atmosphere for everyone to share stories, have fun and get inspired. Contributing to an equal playing field for film professionals and audiences from all levels and backgrounds is of great importance to her, as are offering opportunities and visibility to anyone and everyone.

Toni Blackwell (she/her) Jury - 10 Minute Challenge

Toni Blackwell creates performances, writes, directs, and teaches theater in various settings. In 2023, she was assistant director for Romana Vrede’s acclaimed play The Story of Travis at Theater Rotterdam, and again in 2025 for the production Sisterhood. For the concept of the production Voor Sletten die zijn verkracht, Toni won the Troffel (The Trowel), Festival Cement’s annual incentive prize. She reworked this production in 2023 at Frascati Productions as part of the program Under Construction. In 2024, she created Voor Junkies die de wereld gaan redden (For Junkies Who Will Save the World), her first Frascati Production. In 2025, she wrote and directed her first pilot (Geen Mercade) for a series for 3LAB/BNNVara. In her performances, Toni dares to address uncomfortable socio-political topics. Her artistic signature is queer, raw and outspoken, and her work is fueled by a need for justice and equality. Toni encourages her viewers to reconsider the complexity of certain issues and reflects on their blind spots in an attempt to counteract polarization. In her work, she resists dynamics of exclusion and addresses the experiences of people who don’t automatically feel welcome in society.

Rogier Kramer (he/him) Jury - 10 Minute Challenge

Since 2019 Rogier Kramer is co-owner of the Amsterdam-based production company Labyrint Film (formerly known as Dutch Mountain Film). He has been recognised as emerging talent and invited for various industry meetings and training programs, such as Rotterdam Lab (IFFR) in 2018, Berlinale Talents in 2020 and the EAVE Producers Workshop 2023. Rogier is a committed and passionate producer and strives to enter into long-term collaborations with writers, directors and co-producers in which transparency and equality are paramount. He is a member of the European Film Academy and the Dutch Academy For Film and occasionally gives guest lectures at the Netherlands Film Academy, where he graduated in 2015. Furthermore, Rogier is always looking for stories about, for and/or by the queer community, as Labyrint Film aims to take the lead in the fight for better representation of this group in particular.

Roos van Merwijk (she/her) Production Employee

I am Roos, 26 years old, born and raised in the beautiful Utrecht. I have always been interested in films: in my spare time and during my bachelor Media and Culture where I studied film theory. Gradually I left the theoretical part behind me and I moved into the production where the direction of film continues to suit me. At QFFU I feel lots of love and passion for the subjects and I look forward to the wonderful festival we are going to put on.

Steph Koning (they/them) Chairthem of the Board

Hi, my name is Steph. Ever since I was little, I’ve been fascinated by movies, they have a huge effect on me and I am slightly obsessed by the way this type of media interacts with us and vice versa. Campy genre films are my favourite. From a queer perspective I love seeing films that resonate with or represent queer experiences, and films that explore gender and sexuality (both queer and not-queer) on a personal and community level. There are so many stories to explore and I am glad to be part of an organisation like QFFU, that provides a stage for them in Utrecht.

Hannelore Havelaar (she/her) Head of Production

My name is Hannelore, and I’m the Head of Production at QFFU. I’m a theatremaker and producer with a deep love for horror films, baking, feminist literature, and DIY culture. I’ve been attending QFFU for years, and what drew me to get involved was the chance to collaborate with my community and create something meaningful on a local level. If you want to get a better sense of who I am or where I come from, I’d recommend watching I-Be Area (2007) by Ryan Trecartin. Also, if I were stranded in a snow-covered cabin with only three films to watch, I’d go for Trainspotting (1996), Petrov’s Flu (2021), and Pink Flamingos (1972).

Frank Vloet (he/him) Business Director

My name is Frank, I am 36 years old and live in Utrecht. Besides QFFU I work at a hogeschool as a teacher trainer for teachers in the technical field. In my free time you can find me at music festivals, a climate demonstration or on a biking holiday. My professional background is funky broad mix; from sustainability to design and technology, and from education to entrepreneurship in the arts. For me QFFU is a place where I can connect with the community, find representation on screen and get to know new perspectives. As the business director of QFFU I try to make sure we have the financial means to organize the festival. Not only for this year, but also for the next editions, because QFFU can’t be missed.

Sanoera Bakhtali (she/her) Artistic Director

I’m an independent creative who has questioned norms her whole life, often colors outside the lines, and at the same time brings people together. This year, I joined QFFU to help give the upcoming festivals and the queer community a safer and more prominent place in the city of Utrecht.

I’ve always had an intrinsic motivation and deep interest in the arts and culture world. This led me to study at the Graphic Lyceum in Utrecht and Rotterdam, followed by the Willem de Kooning Academy. My graduation project there focused on (the lack of) diversity in the media. I’ve always been interested in diversity and in finding ways to bring different audiences together. Film is a beautiful, powerful, and intelligent medium for connecting people and sparking thought.

Afterwards, I worked in marketing, communication, and design. I’ve also done photography and taught classes.

I truly love leading a passionate team of volunteers, but also learning from them in the process. The strength of the team will be reflected in the quality of the festival. My background helps me understand different worlds and connect them. That’s also where the future lies: we can connect better if we understand each other better.

An important and beautiful addition to my bio is that I’m a mother to my nine-year-old son. Together with my partner Éluke, we love going to the theater, watching films, and visiting the concert hall—but we also enjoy participating in a running race or an obstacle run.

Muriel Hardt (she/they) Head of the 10 Minute Challenge

Hey! I’m Muriel, the Head of the 10 Minute Challenge. I have been passionate about film for as long as I can remember, which is why I studied Film and Theater Studies in Berlin. Since then, I have been working at film festivals, film sets, and in performative art spaces. I am most excited to see what our young talents will bring to the screen, as I think that QFFU is the best place to grow as a beginning queer filmmaker!

Max de Valck (he/him) Head of Program

My name is Max, and since 2021 I have been the Head of Program at Queer Film Festival Utrecht. As a programmer, I try to create space for unheard stories, told from within the community. We do this in close collaboration with the community, not to talk about them, but to talk with them. In this, film is not the goal, but a tool to connect, question, discover, and start critical dialogue. It still feels unreal to me that I have the privilege to fulfill this role and put the knowledge I gained from my MA Film and Television Cultures into practice. In addition to my role at QFFU, I work as a freelancer on similar projects, such as the short film selection committee at Cinekid, coordinating the Student Competition and Q&As at Nederlands Film Festival, and working as a project coordinator at Studio Camera in Utrecht.

Emil de Bruijn (they/them) Confidant

I am an Utrecht based potter and teacher, studying to become an applied psychologist. In my free time I like to make music, watch movies, create (all kinds of) things and enjoy nature. My interest in psychology and my love for the queer community makes me happy to be a part of the QFFU team.

Merel Hermans (she/her, they/them) Editor and Copywriter

Hi! I’m Merel and as an editor I’m responsible for checking the (film)texts. I’m currently doing the research master Gender Studies, which means that in my daily life I’m very busy with how queerness influences the world. More specifically with the relationship between ecology, queerness, and interpersonal connection. Because of my love for queer cinema I’m very happy that I can help out at the QFFU this year!

Brit van de Huygevoort (she/her) Volunteer Coordinator

Hii, my name is Brit (she/her) and I live in Utrecht. As the volunteer coordinator of QFFU I make sure all events run smoothly with the help of our amazing volunteers! I am currently doing a chemistry/physics masters at the UU and my free time is mostly filled with making music and climbing. I am very much looking forward to this year’s edition of QFFU and hearing important voices through film and other media.

Jenneke Wisselink (she/her) PR Manager

Hi! I’m Jenneke, and I’m part of the Marketing and Communications team. Besides my work in the creative sector, I am a big film enthusiast and a frequent visitor of art-house cinemas. I believe it is very important to have a diverse and high-quality selection of queer cinema so that everyone can see themselves reflected in the stories shown on the big screen. I think QFFU is indispensable for this in Utrecht, and I am happy to be part of the organization for this edition.

Robin Free (she/her) Copywriter

Hi! I’m Robin, I’m 27, I just finished my masters Youth development and Social Change. As a copywriter, I create content on the website about the films that are screened and I am also in charge of press kits. I am passionate about queer cinema as I believe it is very important to bring more representation to the screen. I’m excited to be working on another fantastic edition alongside a wonderful team!

Artem Varaksin (he/him) Production Assistant

My name is Artem. I work in film distribution and this year I’m helping out with programming for QFFU. I love to watch movies and to write and to talk about them, and I love everything original, experimental, and weird.

Hidde Muskee (He/Him) Creative producer

Hi! I’m Hidde Muskee (he/him), the creative producer of the QFFU. In 2021, I graduated from the Audio Visual Media program at the HKU. I’ve carried a passion for film with me my entire life. I started working on film sets when I was 18. I believe that film is the best art form to make people feel empathy. So, I hope that people will attend programs during this festival that feature stories they are not yet familiar with, allowing them to learn and understand how different people navigate the world.

Patrick Abma (he/him) Social media manager/ Creative producer

Hi, I’m Patrick! I graduated from AKV St Joost in Breda with a degree in Art & Research in 2023, and this year I am Creative Producer and Social Media Manager of the festival. As an artist, I see the world as a vast archaeological site full of stories and possibilities, to be discovered and shared. I therefore see film as an important medium to tell these stories, and the Queer Film Festival Utrecht as the perfect place for this. I am proud to contribute to creating a safe and inclusive film world, and look forward to all the stories we will tell!

Rosa Oomen (she/them) Copywriter and Editor-in-Chief

Hello loves! My name is Rosa, and after completing my Bachelor’s in Literature and working in the media, I am now pursuing a research master’s in Gender Studies in Utrecht. For me, queer is not only an identity but also a methodology, a way of critiquing and questioning societal norms. My work often focuses on representation and language use in various forms of media—especially films. My favorite genre is horror, which is inherently linked to queerness and serves as a perfect medium for critical analysis. At QFFU, I combine my love for films and writing as a copywriter and editor-in-chief: I write, edit, and review (film) texts for the website, both in English and Dutch. I also ensure the consistency of the house style and often give texts a final review before they are published. I am very proud to be part of an organization that is committed to queer representation and the queer community!

Chabelle van der Pauw (she/her) Secretary Board

Chabelle is an enthusiastic entrepreneur in the cultural sector. Her passion for art and culture emerged early, and as a teenager, she resolved to make art accessible to as many people as possible. She holds a Bachelor’s in Theatre, Film, and Television Studies from Utrecht University and a Master’s in Arts Policy and Management. Chabelle has been developing arts and culture projects across the Netherlands, working with diverse organizations from film festivals to art studios and from emerging theatre makers to established opera companies.
Chabelle serves on the board of the Queer Film Festival Utrecht as Secretary. With over 12 years of experience in festivals like NFF, IFFR, and the Dutch Academy for Film, Chabelle is deeply connected to the industry. She believes it is crucial to continue sharing queer stories. Film is a beautiful way to bring the community together, foster discussion and connection, and celebrate queer joy.

Parker Burrows (she/her) Copywriter

I’m a 21 year old trans lesbian from San Francisco. I’m finishing my bachelor’s degree in Media and Culture at the UVA and starting a Film Studies masters next semester. My free time revolves almost exclusively around films – I’m either at a Cineville theatre or working on my own projects.