13/11/2008

Dutch screenwriter-turned-director Marco van Geffen has been nominated for the Sundance/NHK International Filmmakers Award with his feature film project Among Us. The screenwriter of box office champion Schnitzel Paradise [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Martin Khoolhoven
interview: Mimoun Oaïssa
film profile] (see Focus) is one of three European nominees for the prize.

The screenplay for Among Us was written by Jolein Laarman, a former art director who has co-written several screenplays for films directed by Mijke de Jong, including Stages (special mention at the 2007 Locarno Film Festival). Lemming film, which also produced Schnitzel Paradise, is on board to produce the feature.

Van Geffen’s short film My Sister played at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007. In what will be his feature film debut, he explores cross-cultural misunderstandings and miscommunication that arise when a Polish au pair goes to work for a Dutch family.

The US-based Sundance Institute and Japanese TV station NHK present the International Filmmakers Award to support new artists and is presented to emerging directors from four global regions (Europe, Latin America, the US and Japan) in support of their next projects.

The winning director from each region will receive a $10,000 award and a guarantee from NHK, Japan’s largest broadcaster, to purchase the Japanese TV rights upon completion. The winners of the Sundance/NHK International Filmmakers Award will be announced on January 22, during the Sundance Film Festival.