The Producers

Joost van der Valk – Director

Joost van der Valk has won both an EMMY and a British Academy Award (BAFTA) for his work. In addition, he has been nominated for a Golden Calf, the IDFA DocU Award and twice for both the Prix d’Europa and the Royal Television Award (RTS). He also won the Amnesty International Documentary Award, the One World Award and the Rory Peck Sony Award for his camera work, among many other awards and honors. Van der Valk makes feature docs in the Netherlands, including the Satudarah – One Blood, Fighting for Peace, Crips: Strapped ’n Strong and Eddy’s War but also works extensively internationally for channels such as BBC, Al Jazeera, National Geographic and HBO. In recent years, he has directed series such as Narcowars for Disney+, Make or Break for Apple TV+ and Drug Lords, Dope, Drive to Survive and Captains for Netflix. Van der Valk also made numerous films about gangs and criminal networks and regularly spent extended periods of time in conflict zones such as Somalia, Iraq, Pakistan, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Indian Kashmir and the Brazilian favelas for his work.

Frank van den Engel – Producer

Frank van den Engel embarked on his journey in the world of documentary filmmaking by founding his independent production company, Zeppers Film & TV, in 1997. Since then, he has cultivated a rich legacy, crafting over 150 captivating films for both theatrical release and television. Among his repertoire are acclaimed works such as "Andre Hazes – She Believes in Me," "The Damned & the Sacred," and "900 Days." His film "Photo & Copyright by GP Fieret" earned a nomination for Best Dutch Documentary, showcasing his versatility and depth as a filmmaker. Beyond his personal projects, Frank's influence extends to nurturing emerging talent and collaborating with established luminaries. He adeptly balances his roles as a director, international production manager, and mentor.