Chagalle Pennink & Nikki Dietz

Chagalle Pennink is a director who shows the everyday problems of growing girls. With the focus on love and emotion, outlined in an open and honest style.

As a child, Chagalle Pennink ran through the house with a camera while directing her family members. This resulted in the study of Audiovisual Media at the University of the Arts in Utrecht. Here she directs films about the everyday problems of growing girls and reveals imperfection. With her focus on love and emotion, outlined in an open and honest style, she finished third at the national “Kunstbende Young Creators Festival”.

Her film, “Hou Vast” (English subtitles), is about the beautiful but difficult relationship between Gabi and Samuel. They love each other so much that Samuel feels the space to share his deepest feelings and Gabi likes to give him a listening ear. But what if this candor becomes too much?

Filmmaker Nikki Dietz creates films in which characters experience the dynamics between strength and vulnerability. In her debut short film, "Leeway," the protagonist grapples with inappropriate behavior during nightlife. The film premiered at the Queer Film Festival Utrecht (QFFU) and received the award for Best Film. Subsequently, it was also showcased at the Netherlands Film Festival (NFF). The film unfolds almost beneath the skin of the main character. The narrative is urgent and relatable, yet it avoids clichés and doesn't feel overly dramatic.
Currently, Nikki is a student at HKU and is working on a film where various women share their experiences of being Muslim in the Netherlands. A converted Muslim woman reveals how she now encounters discrimination. The film also focuses on the intimacy of the henna night preceding an Islamic wedding.

Please be advised: One of the films contains scenes depicting sexual assault. Viewer discretion is advised.