Ayan Egal

Dutch Talents to Clermont-Ferrand | CineNord participant

Ayan Egal is a Somali-Dutch screenwriter and director from Leeuwarden. After a short period at the Maastricht Academy of Dramatic Arts, she transitioned to television and film and appeared in Flikken Maastricht, Het mysterie van…, and A’dam – E.V.A.

Since 2022, Ayan has been writing and directing short fiction films in which themes such as identity and morality take centre stage. Her characters are often inspired by people or groups that evoke strong opinions, and she enjoys playing with the boundaries between different genres. Her work is highly diverse; as a creator, she sees herself as a chameleon who explores a new form and style with each film.

Her new short film Erfenis van de Rat (Legacy of the Rat) is being developed with support from the Netherlands Film Fund (Cypher Cinema). Her debut film Koud Water (Cold Water) was nominated for Best Debut at the Netherlands Film Festival 2025.

Ayan is the co-founder of NakedHearts Film.

Danae Grannetia

Dutch Talents to Clermont-Ferrand | CineSud participant

Born in the south of the Netherlands in 2000, Danae Grannetia graduated from the University of the Arts Utrecht in 2023 with a degree in screenwriting and directing. Her graduation film premiered at the Netherlands Film Festival, went on to screen internationally, and is now also used in educational programmes for secondary schools. Her work is defined by a subtle and personal approach, often exploring what remains unsaid. Danae embraces discomfort and the messy sides of human nature rather than shying away from them. She aims to create openness through stories that both confront and comfort, always rooted in a female perspective. Her latest tragicomic short, 'SQUEAK!', will premiere in 2026.

Pim Vogels

Dutch Talents to Clermont-Ferrand | Playgrounds NEXT participant

Pim Vogels is a screenwriter and director from Eindhoven who explores social themes through a humorous, surrealistic lens. Fascinated by storytelling from an early age, he carved his own path as an autodidact, moving through all sides of the film industry. Beyond his own filmmaking, he is a strong advocate for experimental cinema and an active voice for the film community in Brabant.

Abid Chand

Dutch Talents to Clermont-Ferrand | Talenthub Zuid-Holland participant

Abid is a self-taught filmmaker who discovered a passion for directing fiction films after studying Tax Law at Erasmus University and starting out in a career in consultancy. He learned the craft by taking courses with, among others, Ben Sombogaart and Sándor Soeteman, gaining acting experience at the Meisner Toneelacademie, and clocking hours on set. In 2021, he won the 48 Hour Film Project, which earned him a nomination as one of the top five directors worldwide. His latest film, HET LIGT AAN MIJ (written by Marlyn van Erp, produced by Lavender Films and BIND), premiered at the Netherlands Film Festival in 2024 and immediately embarked on a major impact tour in a “vrachtwagenbioscoop” (in the back of a truck) as part of the FEMICIDE exhibition by Stichting Open Mind. 

Abid just completed the Netherlands Film Fund–supported short JACKPOT (written by Marlyn van Erp, Lavender Films). He is also collaborating with Marlyn van Erp on multiple other projects, including the short film Brian <3 Iris For Life! (Rauwkost Film, KRO-NCRV), the short EENDAGSVLIEG (written by Marlyn van Erp, initiated by actor Milad Hussin), the series ELVIS IS HERE and his feature film debut KAS, for which he received development funding from the VEVAM Fund in 2025.

Amir Zaza

Dutch Talents to Clermont-Ferrand | Oostpact participant

Amir Zaza is a Syrian-Dutch producer, screenwriter and director. Born and raised in Damascus, he relocated to the Netherlands after fleeing the war. In 2022, he graduated from the Netherlands Film Academy in Amsterdam with his film It Will Rain, which was selected as a finalist at the 2023 Student Academy Awards and won the Best Graduation Film Award at the Netherlands Film Academy. Since then, Amir has expanded his visual storytelling to television and advertising, directing acclaimed commercials in the Netherlands. His campaign calling for a ceasefire in Gaza received the prestigious Gold Lamp at the Dutch Creativity Awards.  With Close Your Eyes Hind, Amir won a Golden Calf for Best Short Film at the Netherlands Film Festival.