Simon van der Zande (1991) is a filmmaker from Amsterdam, based in Brussels. He graduated from the master program Film at the KASK Conservatorium in Ghent with the short film Merci pour votre patience! (2022).
Before moving to Belgium to (learn to) make films, he obtained a research master in Philosophy and a bachelor degree in Art History at the University of Amsterdam. Thinking through social and philosophical themes plays a crucial role in Simon’s filmmaking: by means of simple, recognisable situations his films investigate the (moral) complexities of living together and negotiating differences.
His bachelor film Between Us (2021) was selected, among others, for the official student competition of Go Short International Short Film Festival Nijmegen and won the audience award at Ongezien Kort in Antwerp.
His master film Merci pour votre patience! (2022) premiered at Film Fest Gent, where it won the audience award and got a special mention from the jury. It was also selected for International Short Film Festival Leuven, where it won the prize for best debut.
CONTACT
simonvdzande@hotmail.com