MICHAEL MIDDELKOOP - DIRECTOR/WRITER
Michael Middelkoop is an Amsterdam based writer, director and creative producer. Raised by a Dutch mom and Congo dad, he was brought up on a diet of Motown soul, the Wu-Tang Clan, Cartoon Network and Eddie Murphy's seminal Coming to America.
After graduating in Film Studies at the University of Amsterdam, Michael began his career in advertising, first working as a prize winning creative at agencies such as Anomaly, 180, Saatchi & Saatchi, Happiness Brussels, Achtung! and Dawn, before transitioning to directing award winning work for brands like ADIDAS, TELE2, LEGO, ASICS and more. His freeform creative approach has been published on Vice, Fastcompany, Adweek, Ad Age, Itsnicethat and others. Awards include: CCB, Spin Awards, Lovies, Merit, Young Dutch Talent, a Bronze Lion in Cannes in 2015 and a Webby in 2018.
Michael’s debut short fillm NETFLIX & CHILL screened at festivals worldwide in 2017, earning him a nomination in the Debut Competition of the Netherlands Film Festival. From 2018 to 2022, his critically acclaimed webseries VAKKENVULLERS (MEET THE STOCKERS) reached record views on YouTube and its format sold in several markets in Europe, most notable as an AMAZON PRIME original in Germany.
In 2019 he directs SNOR, a surreal tale of accepting a love lost in a battle with gentrification. The short had its world premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and a North American premiere at the Palm Springs International Shortfest.
In 2020 he directs TV movie CRONOS (winner Hollyshorts 2021) for broadcaster BNN VARA. In 2022, he directs critically acclaimed TV series ZINA for KRO-NCRV which earns him a nomination for best series at the 2022 Rockie Awards at the Banff World Media Festival.
In 2024 he is approached by the VPRO and Martin Koolhoven to produce a genre movie of his own concept. The result, TRAUMA PORN CLUB, premiered at the 2024 International Film Festival Rotterdam.
His debut feature THIS IS NOT A CHRISTMAS MOVIE, a satirical takedown of a well-to-do family during the holidays, is awarded with three Golden Calves at the 2024 Netherlands Film Festival and streams on PRIME VIDEO.
In 2025 the science fiction comedy STREETCOACHES VS ALIENS will have its theatrical premiere, produced by LEMMING and distributed by INDEPENDENT FILMS.
He's a member of DAFF (Dutch Academy for Film) and represented for commercial work by 100%.
True story: At age 11, Michael sleepwalks and falls 9 meters from a balcony. He breaks both wrists and shatters a knee. Stuck at home, his brother rents him 10 movies a week. Three months and 120 movies later, Michael is brainwashed and only wants one thing in life: make movies.
SELECTED PRESS
International
Director's Library, SHOTS, Clash Magazine, Shootonline, Shots, LBB,
Booooooom, it's Nice That, The Drum,
Fastcompany and more.
Dutch
VPRO Nooit Meer Slapen, Volkskrant, Filmkrant, Glamour, Funx, VPRO, Noisey
