‘for the Girls‘ & ‘Loverboy‘ Dominate 2025 Golden Calf Awards, Signaling Robust Dutch Film Industry
UTRECHT, Netherlands - The Dutch film industry celebrated a night of triumphs at the Golden Calf Awards, held on the final day of the Netherlands Film Festival at the Stadsschouwburg in Utrecht. Films For the Girls and Loverboy: emotions from emerged as major winners, alongside powerful recognition for short film Close Your Eyes Hind and series Whimper, underscoring a vibrant and critically acclaimed year for Dutch cinema.
The awards, considered the netherlands’ most prestigious film honors, reflect a diverse range of storytelling and technical achievement. Loverboy: emotions from, directed by cyriel Guds, took home the Golden Calf for publicS favorite, having garnered 380,000 cinema visitors – making it the most-visited feature film of the year. Guds, accepting the award, emphasized the collaborative spirit of the industry, stating, “We are together the Dutch cinema, if I lose you also lose, if I win you too.So this one is for you.”
Several other films were also recognized. van Diem was praised for her scenario in For the Girls,described as “an absolute well made play. So dared and chosen so specifically.” Rotterdam’s Neidi Dos santos Livramento received a Golden Calf for Best supporting Feature in Three-day fish, which also won Manon Blom the Golden Calf for best costume design.
the short film Close Your Eyes Hind, by Amir Zaza, powerfully addressed the tragic death of 6-year-old Palestinian Hind Rajab in Gaza, winning the Golden Calf for best short film. Zaza dedicated the prize to “every Hind rajab who was murdered in Gaza. For the families, valiant journalists and the care providers who risked their lives to save another,” prompting a standing ovation.
Further accolades included Morgan Knibbe receiving the Golden Calf for best control in Garden of Earthly desires, with xander Nijsten and Frank van den Eeden winning for best assembly and best camera respectively for the same film. Renee Wijnhoven was awarded the inaugural Golden Calf for Best Hair & Make-up Design for Idyll. The Golden Calf for Best Series went to Whimper, and Ahlam Teghadouini won the golden Calf for best leading role in a series for Sihame.