Ex-advertising creative, Michael Middelkoop, has already conquered film as well. Now he joins 100% (formerly HALAL) with plans to add more advertising awards to his haul.
Middlekoop’s debut short film, the horror comedy Netflix & Chill,screened at festivals worldwide in 2017, and won a nomination in the Debut Competition of the Netherlands Film Festival. In 2018, his webseries, Vakkenvullers, reached record views on YouTube. His 2019 surrealist short film, Snor, was nominated for Best Dutch Film at Go Short – International Short Film Festival Nijmegen. This year, his upcoming film, Dit Is Geen Kerstfilm (This is not a Christmas movie) won 3 Golden Calves in the Feature Film category ay Netherlands Film Festival – Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor. The absurdist ensemble comedy, was produced by 100% and will be released exclusively on Prime Video on December 19.
Middelkoop commented, “My ambition was to make a film that examines modern society with intelligence and humour. Winning three golds not only shows me that this ambition can be achieved – but also highlights that the future is bright for crossover movies: films that both have something to say, and have commercial value.”
After studying film in Amsterdam, the Rotterdam-born creative started his career as an art director at Saatchi & Saatchi, Happiness Brussels, Achtung! and Dawn, before finally directing for brands such as adidas, Tele2, Lego and Asics – experimenting with new techniques to connect with youth culture.
Gijs Determeijer, partner and executive producer of 100%, commented, “We have really loved working with Michael on his feature film over the past year. The whole process went so smoothly – and working with Michael truly felt like one big party. We are currently also developing two other feature films with Michael, so it only felt natural for us to also work on commercials together. With 3 big awards under our belt, the timing couldn’t be more perfect.
“I am beyond excited that Michael has joined the 100% family. I always enjoyed working with Michael when he was still on the agency-side, but now, I have gotten to experience him as one of the most well-rounded and ambitious directors in this country – a director who really knows exactly how to get the best out of his actors.”
Middelkoop added, “I’m actually a bit of a weirdo – a director with a background as a creative. I get equally hungry from a strong ad campaign, a brilliant sketch or a good script that has something to say. I can only satisfy that hunger in one place – a place that is just as diverse as I am. I am very happy to open a new chapter and change the game with 100%.”
