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About IJswater Films

For over 30 years, IJswater ('Icewater') Films has been dedicated to developing and producing high-quality films, documentaries, and high-end TV drama. We are committed to supporting innovative and artistic/ cross-over projects that have a lasting impact, not only within the Dutch film industry but also internationally.

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The production company, founded and led by producer Marc Bary, has built up a rich history. During this time, we have compiled a diverse portfolio of award-winning and acclaimed productions by both new and established talent that have gained national and international recognition. With the current team, including fellow producer Nicky Onstenk, we are working on new challenging (co)productions.

The team

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Marc Bary

Producer / Founder 

marc@ijswater.nl

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Bregje de Boer

Project coordinator

bregje@ijswater.nl

Nicky Onstenk

Nicky Onstenk

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Daniella de Kok

Intern / Festival manager 

daniella@ijswater.nl

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Zoë Niezen

Junior producer 

zoe@ijswater.nl

The projects of IJswater Films

Feature films / TV films incl.:

After the first feature film THE POLISH BRIDE (2 Dutch Academy Awards, Cannes Critics Choice, Golden Globe Nomination), a series of successful titles followed, including THE 14th CHICK, the debut of Hany Abu-Assad and Arnon Grunberg (Opening film NFF), DEEP by Simone van Dusseldorp (Dutch Academy Award Nomination Best Actress Melody Klaver, Best Director/Actress Geneva IFF), SKIN by Hanro Smitsman (Dutch Academy Award & Intl. Emmy Nomination Best Actor Robert de Hoog), WIN/WIN by Jaap van Heusden (Prix Geneva Europe Script Award, Best Actor Brooklyn FF), LOTUS by Pascale Simons (Dutch Academy Award Nomination Best Actor), SUPERNOVA by and with Tamar van den Dop (Berlinale Generation, German/Belgian copro), 22nd OF MAY Belgian copro by Koen Mortier (TIFF), THE NEW WORLD by Jaap van Heusden (Intl. Emmy Award Best Actress Bianca Krijgsman), PARADISE TRIPS Belgian copro by Raf Reyntjens (Winner 3 Ensors), AS IF I’M CRAZY by Frank Lammers (2 Dutch Academy Award nominations), IN BLUE Belgian/Romanian copro by Jaap van Heusden (Dutch Academy Award 2018 Best Director, Screenplay and Actress Maria Kraakman, Opening film Film by the Sea, Narrative Feature Award Austin IFF), THE HEART OF HADIAH TROMP by Erik de Bruyn (Winner Best Foreign Film Honolulu Film Awards), UNTIL SUNSET youth film by Albert Jan van Rees (Children & Youth IFF New Delhi) and the Spanish-language feature debut of Isabel Lamberti, LA ÚLTIMA PRIMAVERA / THE LAST SPRING (New Directors Award San Sebastian 2020, Nomination Cannes ACID, Les Arcs FF Acting Award), Spanish copro with Tourmalet. In 2024, THE MAN FROM ROME, starring Michele Riondino was released by Jaap van Heusden (Nomination Tallinn Black Nights Intl. Film Festival, Dutch Academy Award Best Music, 3 Dutch Academy Award Nominations), German co-production with Fiction Park, released in the Benelux, Germany and fall 2025 in Italy. Recently released: KILLING CRABS / MATAR CANGREJOS by Omar Al Abdul Razzak, Spanish co-production with Tourmalet (Winner Malaga FF and Las Palmas FF 2023, Spanish Filmfestival Amsterdam). PARIAH by Edson da Conceicao (Nomination Dutch Academy Award Best Actor, Nomination Fantaspoa IFF), PROJECT HERBERT by Barbara Bredero (Nomination Dutch Academy Award Best Screenplay 2024 by Pink Robin Stories).

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More than 50 short films have been made, including Golden Bear Winner CONTACT by Hanro Smitsman, Dutch Academy Award Winner L’ÉTÉ ET TOUT LE RESTE by Sven Bresser (TIFF, Venice Orizzonti), Berlinale Crystal Bear Winner SPOTLESS by Emma Branderhorst, and MAGMA by Luca Meisters (Nomination Berlinale Generation K-Plus 2023, Winner Best Dutch Short Fiction Film Cinekid).

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High-End TV drama incl.:
With the NPO, 9 One Night Stand films have been completed (and 2 developed) including Dutch Academy Award Best TV Film + FIPA D’OR Winner ANVERS by Martijn Maria Smits, ONCE by Jaap van Heusden (Nomination Dutch Academy Award Best TV Drama), ENTRE NOSOTROS by Paloma Aguilera Valdebenito (Winner FIPA D’ARGENT) and FREE FIGHT by Sven Bresser (Dutch Academy Award Nominations Best TV Drama, Best TV Actor 2018). Youth films & series: ABI (Beeld & Geluid Award Best Youth Drama) by Simone van Dusseldorp, THE MOON OF ANOUAR (Toronto Kids TIFF Jury Prize) by Michiel van Jaarsveld, KI (Best Film Boston Kids FF) by Meike Minne Clinckspoor, SAMMY PARAMARIBO (Chicago Children’s FF, TIFF Kids, BAMkids Brooklyn 2018) by Barbara Bredero, EVI & CO by Hilt Lochten (Best Series Chicago Children’s FF) and KABAM! by Elisabeth Hesemans (Intl. Emmy Award Kids Live Action 2022, Best Dutch TV series Cinekid 2021).

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Documentaries incl.:
BRIDGING THE GAP by Corinne van Egeraat (Media Discovery Campus Masterschool, IDFA Forum), ARTEK, THE IDEAL SUMMER CAMP (IDFA, HotDocs) and NAVY MIDS by Walter Stokman, NEST CLINGERS by Juul Bovenberg, FATHER by Isabel Lamberti (Locarno FF 2019, Dutch Academy Award Nomination), DUNYA (NFF debut competition 2021) and LUC (NFF 2022) by Tim Bary, PRESENT ARE THE ABSENT by Lieke Heil (NFF 2023), THE NIGHT OF YOUR LIFE by Fleur Bax (NFF 2024) and recently BLUE NOTES & HIGHER GROUNDS by Erik de Bruyn (released in cinemas and NPO co-production).

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In production:
IN ALASKA by Jaap van Heusden & Vinnie Karetak (CAN) co-produced with Experimental Forest Films (CAN), selection Cannes L’Atelier, TIFF Ontario Creates IFF, Venice Gap Financing Market 2024, LOST SON (directed by Edson da Conceicao, screenplay Philip Delmaar), documentaries UNTIL THE END (premiere NFF 2025) and LUCAS both by Tim Bary, THE LITTLE GOATKEEPERS youth series by Elisabeth Hesemans (screenplay Britt Snel & Sophie van de Pol), KABAM! 2 (directed by Elisabeth Hesemans, screenplay Floor Paul & Lilian Sijbesma).

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In development / financing incl.:
JUST NICK (youth film, directed by Nicole van Kilsdonk, screenplay Jeanine Cronie), copro with Belgian Polar Bear & UK Candle & Bell. CHARLIE, THE TREE GIRL (youth film, directed by Sanne Vogel, screenplay Lineke van den Boezem & Matthijs van Wensveen), copro with Belgian De Mensen, ROT by Malu Janssen co-produced with Gromm Productions, ONTKENNING by Jorien Sont co-produced with Rocketta Film, BLOEDSTEEN by Daan Groot, ANTON DE KOM – I WILL BE HEARD by Edson da Conceicao, screenplay Philip Delmaar & Raoul de Jong co-produced with Tulsa Studio’s, THE LONELY GRINDR MAN (Wildcard documentary by Niek Silvan).

© 2025 IJswater Films

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