Film Lab

Meervaart Studio Film Lab 

The Meervaart Studio Film Lab is not your typical course: it's an intensive multi-month programme in which young Amsterdammers are guided and coached by professionals in the field. Under the direction of filmmaker and coach Paulien van Hummel, you work step by step towards creating and releasing your own short film. 
 
The Lab provides space to experiment, create, and most importantly, to learn. Whether you already have some experience with filmmaking or have just put your first ideas on paper – the Film Lab challenges you to think bigger, grow, and find your own voice. 

The Film Lab offers guidance in every aspect of the production process: from scriptwriting to directing, cinematography, editing, and post-production. Throughout the programme, you'll learn not only how a film technically works, but also how to convey your story to the audience in an impactful way. The project always concludes with a celebratory final presentation at the Netherlands Film Academy or Meervaart, where all short films are screened on the big screen. 

Collaboration with the Netherlands Film Academy 
A unique aspect of the Meervaart Studio Film Lab is its collaboration with the Netherlands Film Academy. This partnership ensures that participants not only gain access to additional expertise, but can also build a valuable network within the film world. Through this collaboration, the school hopes to inspire more young people from different Amsterdam neighbourhoods to pursue a future at the Film Academy. 

In recent years, several participants have progressed to the Netherlands Film Academy and other arts education programmes. Additionally, various former participants are now professionally active in the field, for example at television broadcasters and advertising agencies. They work as cinematographers, lighting technicians, directors, producers, and editors, among other roles. Films from the Film Lab have been screened at various film festivals, including the Netherlands Film Festival in 2024.