Buddy Film Foundation (BFF) is a starting point for refugee filmmakers, film crew, actors and other creatives. We organise workshops and networking events, and coach our new colleagues with one ultimate goal: helping them land paid work in the film and television industry.
We guide professional filmmakers from development through to the execution and funding of their own film projects. Most importantly, we want to be the link between newcomers to the Netherlands and the national and international film and television industry.
My name is Dennis, and I am one of the co-founders of BFF. Together with actress Dewi Reijs, I have been running this organisation for the past ten years. Today, BFF is a foundation, a casting agency and a production house all in one.
(Credit: Saeed Al Hammad)
We organise workshops, help our new colleagues get seen, create profiles for them on our website and in our casting database, and help with all the “small” things that can make a huge difference: getting in touch with the right people, finding the right training, sending them to the right website, or simply figuring out where to start.
Dewi and I are both filmmakers and actors, and we know that even for people who were born and raised in the Netherlands, finding your way in this industry can be incredibly difficult. Who can you trust? Who are the producers? Where can you get proper training? Where can you rent a camera? How do you get your first job?
Now imagine having to figure all of that out in a completely new country, after leaving your entire network behind.
Our refugee colleagues don’t just leave their professional network behind. They leave family, friends, communities and a sense of familiarity. Starting again can be incredibly difficult, not only professionally but also mentally. We try to be there for them-as colleagues, as friends, and as a bridge back into the world they know and love: film and television.
After ten years of trying to get people involved, asking for attention and constantly pushing for opportunities, the reality is still frustrating. Out of the more than 250 people registered with BFF, only a small percentage have managed to get a real foot in the door.
That is why, in our tenth anniversary year, we are once again asking for attention.
How do we get these incredibly talented people welcomed into our industry? How do we make sure they are not forgotten? How do we give them the opportunity to do what they are trained and passionate about?
For many of our colleagues, the first years after arriving in the Netherlands are difficult. After six, seven or eight years, some become exhausted. Some lose hope. Some struggle with serious mental health issues.
We believe that meaningful work can make an enormous difference. Being part of a team again. Having a purpose. Being valued for what you can do. Doing the thing you love. Getting back on set.
Coaching in this respect can change everything. That’s why we value our collaboration with Stichting Treehouse Coaching so much.
And working with our new friends and colleagues on set is always a blast. They bring enormous talent, experience, stories and perspectives to our industry. We just need to make sure they get the chance to show it.
I hope we can keep doing this for many more years to come.