ShortCutz Amsterdam

ShortCutz Amsterdam is a film festival held the whole year through, promoting Dutch short films in The Netherlands.^[1] Every week has two short films competing. After the end of the calendar month the jury will select the winner of the month. The winner of the month is then nominated for a Mr. Zee Award and the winners will be presented at the end of January at the ShortCutz Amsterdam Annual Award Ceremony^[2] at EYE Film Institute Netherlands. Winners of the Mr. Zee award will receive funding for their next film project, special screenings in cinema's and a distribution deal.

A unique aspect of the festival is that jury members are encouraged to give their personal feedback on the selected films. Giving the filmmakers the opportunity to have professionals like Rutger Hauer, Jan Harlan or Eddy Terstall comment on their films. Because of the informal vibe of the festival jury members can often be spotted at the weekly screening sessions, lowering the bar for young creatives to come in contact with well-known film professionals.

The weekly screening sessions are held at the De Kring (The Circle), located in the heart of Amsterdam, on the corner of the Leidseplein. It is one of the main artists clubs of the city. ^{[citation needed]}

The ShortCutz Amsterdam Annual Awards Ceremony is held every January at the EYE Film Institute Netherlands. The EYE is a modern building located on the north bank of Amsterdam's waterfront, just behind the Central Station.^[3]

In 2019 the ShortCutz festival mobile app was released on Android and iOS.^[4][5] Giving mobile users an easy way to read about the news, weekly sessions and screening schedules. The app also gives the users the opportunity to connect with film professionals, upcoming talent and the film audience.^[6]

• The Official Selection
  • In Competition – Short films competing for the Mr. Zee Award. They are projected in De Kring Amsterdam.
  • Special Guests – Every session is accompanied by an influential guest from the film industry and will hold an open Q&A.
  • ShortCutz Amsterdam Award Ceremony – Awards presentation honoring the best talent in short-film achievements.
• Events
  • Best of ShortCutz – Special selection of the best of films.
  • Marathon of New Dutch Cinema – In one night, it showcases the vitality and diversity of short films.^[7]
  • Shortcutz National Audience Awards.^[8]

The jury composed of an ambassador and various film directors, actors, culture, and art personalities, determine the prizes for the best short films in the competition. The juries hold the responsibility for choosing the monthly winner and which films will receive a Mr. Zee award.^{[citation needed]}

Notable jury members: Waldemar Torenstra, George Sluizer, Laser 3.14, Tygo Gernandt, Hanna Verboom, Mijke de Jong, Roel Reiné, Eddy Terstall, Ariane Schluter, Rutger Hauer, Jan Harlan, Willeke van Ammelrooy, Pieter Kuijpers.^{[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]}

Every year guests of honor are invited to speak about their experiences in film creation.

List of Guests of Honor:

• (2016) Rutger Hauer – actor extraordinaire (Blade Runner, Batman Begins)
• (2016), (2017) Jan Harlan – producer of the late Stanley Kubrick (Full Metal Jacket, The Shining, Eyes Wide Shut) and Steven Spielberg's A.I. Artificial Intelligence
• (2016) Béla Tarr - cult film director (The Turin Horse, Werckmeister Harmonie)
• (2016) Leontine Petit – producer and founder of Lemming Film (The Lobster, Full Contact)
• (2016) Pieter Verhoeff – Golden Calf winning director (Nynke, De brief voor de koning)
• (2016) Job Roggeveen from the studio Job Joris & Marieke – Oscar nominee animator (A Single Life, Otto)
• (2016) Claire van Daal - Nederlands Film Festival programmer
• (2016) Jan Doense aka Mr Horror -  producer, publisher (de FilmKrant), Festival Organizer (founder: Amsterdamned & Imagine Film Festival).
• (2016) Jos de Putter - documentary maker and producer (See No Evil, Radio Kobani)
• (2016) Yorick van Wageningen - actor (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Winter in Wartime)
• (2016) Sigrid ten Napel - golden calf nominee actress (Prince, Penoza)
• (2017) Bero Beyer - IFFR director and producer (Atlantic, Paradise Now)
• (2017) Willeke van Ammelrooy - actress (Antonia, the Lift, Ciske de Rat)
• (2017) Johanna Ter Steege - actress (Spoorloos, Paradise Road)
• (2017) Marc van Warmerdam - producer (A gentle Creature, Borgman)
• (2017) Ate de Jong - director (Highway to Hell, Drop Dead Fred)
• (2017) Mae Dols de Jong - director (If Mama Ain't Happy, Nobody's Happy, Nettiquette)
• (2017) Gareth Wiley - producer (Match Point, Vicky Cristina Barcelona)