Bero Beyer is to step down as CEO of the Netherlands Film Fund.
In a statement released this afternoon, the Fund said Beyer informed the supervisory board of his decision to leave following a period of illness from which he has recovered. His resignation will take effect on October 1.
As part of Beyer’s departure, Sandra den Hamer will extend her contract as interim CEO. The Fund said she will work closely with business director George van Breemen in leading the organization. Her focus will be to safeguard the further development of the Fund’s policy direction, cooperation with the Dutch film industry, and the design of the new 2025-2028 policy plan. The Supervisory Board will begin the recruitment process for a new director in mid-2024.
“The past period in which I was forced to take a break was unpleasant but also gave me room to think about which role suits me best. In the end, that no longer turned out to be directing the Fund. I have therefore decided to pursue my love for film and art in a different way,” Beyer said.
“I am very content with the way the fund team and I worked relentlessly to support the sector during the corona years and beyond. Several productions that were in development then will be released this Fall, and the tremendous resilience of filmmakers that speaks from that is and will continue to be inspiring.”
Supervisory Board Chairwoman Laetitia Griffith added: “During his years as CEO, I got to know Bero as an incredibly driven, creative professional with a big heart for film. I am impressed how Bero, in addition to all the extra work for the sector during the intense corona years, always managed to innovate, also for filmmakers that may find it difficult to find their way to the Fund. Under his leadership, for example, the Cypher Cinema scheme for self-taught filmmakers and the New Dawn fund for under-represented filmmakers were developed and opportunities for immersive and experimental productions were boosted. I have great respect for his decision and wish him all the best in the continuation of his career.”