IJSWATER FILMS produces quality award-winning features, shorts, high-end drama and documentaries from both new and established talent for over 25 years in The Netherlands and in international co-productions.

The first feature production THE POLISH BRIDE (2 Golden Calfs, Cannes Crititcs Choice, Golden Globe Nomination) was followed by a series of successful feature films, including THE 14TH CHICK, the debut by Hany Abu-Assad (Opening Film Netherlands Film Festival/NFF), DEEP by Simone van Dusseldorp (Golden Calf Nomination Best Actress Melody Klaver, Best Director/Actress Genève IFF), LOTUS by Pascale Simons, script Philip Delmaar (Golden Calf Nomination Best Actor), SUPERNOVA by and with Tamar van den Dop (Berlinale Generation), 22ND OF MAY by Koen Mortier (TIFF), PARADISE TRIPS by Raf Reyntjens (Winner 3 Ensors), AS IF I’M CRAZY (Jury Award Noida FF India, 2 Golden Calf Nominations), IN BLUE by Jaap van Heusden, Belgian co-pro with Caviar (Winner Narrative Best Feature Austin IFF, Golden Calfs/ Dutch Academy Award Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actress Maria Kraakman), LA ÚLTIMA PRIMAVERA/ LAST DAYS OF SPRING by Isabel Lamberti, Spanish co-pro with Tourmalet (Winner New Directors Award San Sebastian, Cannes ACID, Winner Les Arcs FF Acting Award). Just completed and in theatrical release in The Netherlands: THE MAN FROM ROME by Jaap van Heusden in a majority co-production with German Fiction Park and the EO (distributor Benelux Gust Ent, Germany: Missing Films) and released in Spain: KILLING CRABS / MATAR CANGREJOS by Omar Al Abdul Razzak (distribution Spain & world sales Filmax, Winner Malaga FF and Las Palmas FF 2023).

IJswater produced several feature length telefilms: SKIN by Hanro Smitsman (Winner Golden Calf Best Actor/ Emmy Nomination Robert de Hoog, cinema release), WIN/WIN by Jaap van Heusden (selection 40 festivals, Winner Best Actor Brooklyn FF, Prix Europa Genève Script Award, cinema release), THE NEW WORLD by Jaap van Heusden (Winner Intl. Emmy Award Best Actress Bianca Krijgsman, selection 50 film & TV festivals), THE HEART OF HADIAH TROMP by Erik de Bruyn (Winner Best Foreign Film Honolulu Film Awards, Silver Award Best Actress Chloé Leenheer & Bronze Award Best Feature Queen Palm IFF Palm Springs) and recently the youth telefilm UNTIL SUNSET by Albert Jan van Rees (selection Busan Intl. Kids Festival 2023).

The production house also made high end-drama, such as for One Night Stand TV-series ANVERS (Winner FIPA D’or, Golden Calf Best TV Drama), ENTRE NOSOTROS (Winner FIPA D’Argent) and FREE FIGHT (2 Golden Calf Nominations). For the youth, a.o.; ABI (Image & Sound Award Best Youth Drama), THE MOON OF ANOUAR (Winner Toronto Kids TIFF Jury Prize), KI (Winner Best Film Boston Kids FF), EVI & CO (Winner Best Series Chicago Children’s FF) and KABAM! (Winner International Emmy Award for Kids Live Action 2022, Best Dutch TV series Cinekid 2021).

More than 50 short films have been made, including Berlinale Golden Bear Winner CONTACT, Golden Calf Winner L’ÉTÉ ET TOUT LE RESTE (Venice IFF), Crystal Bear Winner SPOTLESS and recently MAGMA (Berlinale Generation K-Plus 2023).

Also documentaries are being produced, including ARTEK THE IDEAL HOLIDAY CAMP and feature length documentary NAVY MIDS by Walter Stokman, mid-length NESTLINGS by Juul Bovenberg, cinema documentary BRIDGING THE GAP by Corinne van Egeraat (IDFA), mid-length DUNYA by Tim Bary (debut competition NFF 2021) and short Teledoc Campus docs; YOU HAVE A PROBLEM by Esra Piké (Best Direction Fisheye FF UK),FATHER by Isabel Lamberti (Locarno FF 2019, Golden Calf Nomination 2019) and LUC by Tim Bary (NFF Debut Competition 2022).

Now in production: PARIA, feature length telefilm by Edson da Conceicao (screenplay Philip Delmaar), feature length documentary LUCAS by Tim Bary and Teledoc Campus THE NIGHT OF YOUR LIFE by Fleur Bax, all in co-production with Dutch Public Broadcasters, backed by the NL Film Fund and CoBO.

In development supported by, a.o. the Netherlands Film Fund: Canadian co-production IN ALASKA by Jaap van Heusden (selection Cannes L’Atelier, TIFF Ontario Creates IFF 2019), LOST SON (director Edson da Conceicao, screenplay Philip Delmaar), IMPRISONED (director Ben Sombogaart, screenplay Chris Westendorp), JUST NICK (youth film, director Nicole van Kilsdonk, screenplay Jeanine Cronie), CHARLIE, THE TREE GIRL (director Sanne Vogel, screenplay Lineke van den Boezem & Matthijs van Wensveen), THE WONDEROUS JOURNEY OF LITTLE SOPHIE (3D animation co-pro Pellicola), THE DUMPED by Malu Janssen and ANTON DE KOM – I SHALL BE HEARD (co-pro Dutch-Surinam Tulsa Studios, script Philip Delmaar & Raoul de Jong, director Edson da Conceicao).

The IJswater Films team: founder/producer Marc Bary, producer Nicky Onstenk, head of productions Stine Flex, freelance executive producer Steven Rubinstein and intern Maud Bolwerk.