About us
It is incredible how one small idea can grow into something truly special. Equs Short Film Foundation is an independent and passionate initiative that believes in the impact of short films. We support emerging filmmakers and meaningful stories that deserve to be seen. With limited resources but a lot of drive, we help bring creative ideas to life — one short film at a time.
a glimpse into our alumni community
Marijn Liek
During his bachelor studies Marijn did his internship at EQUS where got his first experience with short films on a more professional level. This inspired him to do his master’s in film Producing at The University of South Wales, where he produced his own short film The Path we Take. Back in The Netherlands he returned to EQUS with producing Screwed and being involved in every short film after that. As the chairman of the Equs Short Film Foundation, he wants to keep producing content which brings new talent together with established filmmakers, while also finding the right audience for it. Besides producing he also wrote and directed the short film Komt een man bij de Bakker.
Dieuwertje Blok
Dieuwertje Blok (1957–2025) was a beloved Dutch broadcaster, presenter, and actress. She became widely known as the face of the Sinterklaasjournaal and hosted various radio and television programs, including Landinwaarts and Podium Klassiek. Active in the media since the 1980s, she played the leading lady in the role of Martha in the 2024 film Boezemkring.
Victor Löw
Victor Löw is an acclaimed Dutch actor, known for films such as Antonia’s Line, Character, and Everybody’s Famous!. He won a Golden Calf for his role in Lek and has appeared in countless Dutch and international productions. At Equs, he played the talking mouth in the short horror comedy De Overkammer, directed by Raymon Hilkman.
Bernadette Coster
Bernadette Coster is a Dutch costume designer. She won a Golden Calf award and was responsible for the full costume design in the film Boezemkring. Bernadette is renowned for her craftsmanship in costume design and her contributions to various Dutch film productions.
Thomas van Luyn
Thomas van Luyn is a versatile Dutch comedian, actor, writer, and presenter. He gained fame through his characters in Kopspijkers, his work on The Mike & Thomas Show, and his columns in de Volkskrant. Van Luyn is active in theatre, television, and film, and appeared in the Equs productions Komt een man bij de Bakker.
Ronald Giphart
Ronald Giphart is a well-known Dutch author and columnist. He broke through with novels such as Ik ook van jou and Phileine zegt sorry. His work has received multiple awards and has been adapted for film. Together with his daughter Tip, Ronald wrote the original script for the short film Boezemkring.
Joris Smit
Joris Smit is a Dutch actor known for his roles in films and series such as Lotus and De Fractie. He has received various nominations and is active in both film and television. At Equs, he played the lead role in the short film Nachtvlinder by emerging director Tess Löwenhardt.
Mirjam de Rooij
Mirjam de Rooij (1963) is a Dutch actress known for her roles in Goede tijden, slechte tijden and Flikken Maastricht. She has acted in numerous films and series and was nominated for several acting awards. For Equs, this experienced actress contributed her skills to the talent production Boezemkring.
Raymon Hilkman
Raymon Hilkman is a Dutch film director and screenwriter with a lifelong passion for cinema. In 2019, he graduated from the Utrecht School of the Arts with Moffenmeid (VPRO), followed by the absurdist comedy De Overkammer. Both films were made in collaboration with the Equs Short Film Foundation and received critical acclaim. He created the comedic sketch series #Elevatorsessions for BNNVARA (NPO 3). In addition to co-directing Mannenavond (2022) and working on Het laatste verhoor and Outerspace I & II (VPRO), he is now developing a new fiction film supported by the Netherlands Film Fund.
Dennis Overeem
Dennis is an actor, writer, and director. Together with Equs, he worked on various projects, including two commercials for Villa Pinedo and the short film Viskom with Petra Laseur. He also wrote and directed two comedy series for Net5. Dennis has played lead roles in five series and guest roles in dozens of films, series, and commercials. In addition to his acting and filmmaking, he is the co-founder of the Buddy Film Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping refugee filmmakers find work in the Dutch film industry. www.dennisovereem.com www.buddyfilmfoundation.com Photo by Dario&Misja
Ayla van Kessel
Under the banner of EQUS, Ayla van Kessel directed and co-wrote the short film Boezemkring (2024), working with a large and enthusiastic team. The production was marked by trust, fresh collaborations, and a memorable personal milestone—Ayla was heavily pregnant while on set. She is grateful to EQUS for initiating the project and hopes the film sparks conversations about friendship and loyalty in an age where online reputation is deeply tied to personal happiness. www.aylavankessel.com
Betina Savova
Betina Savova first got involved with the EQUS Short Film Foundation and quickly felt at home in the world of film. She now works at EQUS Film as a Junior Account Manager, where she helps keep projects running smoothly and teams connected. With a sharp eye for detail and a calm presence, Betina makes sure things stay on track without getting in the way of the creative process. She enjoys being part of a team that brings stories to life.
Britt Scheltens
Britt Scheltens is a talented young actress who played a leading role in the short film Boezemkring. During her theatre training, she discovered a passion for on-camera acting, although at first she was hesitant to admit her interest in film and television. That changed with Boezemkring—her first screen role—which confirmed her desire to pursue screen acting more seriously. She greatly valued the experience of working on this Equs production, where both seasoned professionals and newcomers came together with a shared passion for storytelling. Britt is now fully committed to continuing her development as a screen actress.
Duncan Meijering
Duncan Meijering is an actor with a deep passion for film. Whether it’s commercials, music videos, short films, or feature films, he thrives on set and embraces every opportunity. From a young age, he was fascinated by the world of film and is now fully immersed in it. Being part of an EQUS production was just another exciting step on his journey. For Duncan, turning his passion into a profession is a dream come true—and he does it all with a smile, every single day.
Idris Bakker
Idris Bakker is a junior producer at Room for Film and a graduate of both the Netherlands Film Academy and the National Film and Television School (UK). In 2019, she successfully collaborated with EQUS on the period drama Moffenmeid by Raymon Hilkman. Idris focuses on original, boundary-pushing film projects that blur the lines between art and entertainment, with a strong preference for bold, visual storytelling from distinctive voices. LinkedIn Profile
Tessa Kemper
For Tessa Kemper, working on an EQUS production was a dream come true. It was her very first experience on a film set, and she immediately felt at home. Collaborating with Bernadette Corstens on costumes, surrounded by passionate and warm-hearted creatives, was a magical experience. The atmosphere, teamwork, and creative process on set made a lasting impression, confirming her desire to pursue a career in film production.