13 Oct 2026
Winners of the Golden Deer Award 2026
On October 11, during Go Short at Focus, the awards for the Gelders Kort Competition and the Gelderland Film Pitch were presented.
From exceptional short films to promising film projects, Gelderland’s film talent was firmly in the spotlight this weekend at Go Short Arnhem. On October 11, the awards for the Gelderland Short Film Competition and the Gelderland Film Pitch were presented at Focus Filmtheater in Arnhem. The Golden Deer for Best Gelderland Film went to Kiss Kiss Bang Bang by Ollie Launspach. First Row by Pelle Nijburg received a Special Mention. Two filmmakers were also honored for their promising film projects.
Go Short Arnhem brings audiences and film professionals together around short films and offers filmmakers from Gelderland the opportunity to present their work, develop new projects, and expand their networks. Through the Gelderland Short Film Competition and the Gelderland Film Pitch, Go Short supports filmmakers at various stages of their development—from films ready to be seen to ideas that have yet to come to life.
Golden Deer Award for Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
The 2026 Golden Deer went to Kiss Kiss Bang Bang by Ollie Launspach. The jury praised the film for its combination of intimacy, playfulness, and emotion.
The Special Mention went to First Row by Pelle Nijburg.
The jury for the Gelders Short Film Competition consisted of filmmaker, writer, and Golden Calf winner Kiriko Mechanicus; Edith van der Heijde, international promotions manager for Dutch short and experimental films at Eye Filmmuseum; and producer Charlotte Rietbergen of Lavender Films.
Gelderland Film Pitch Provides a Platform for New Projects
In addition to honoring completed films, Go Short Arnhem offers a platform through the Gelderland Film Pitch to filmmakers with plans for new projects. On October 11, selected filmmakers presented their film proposals to the jury and the audience at Focus Filmtheater.
Maira Rachmadiev won €3,000 with her pitch. The jury was enthusiastic about the way she presented her film project.
Martijn Holtslag stood out for the energy with which he presented his plans. The jury appreciated his ambitious ideas.
The jury for the Gelderland Film Pitch consisted of Bram Ruiter, filmmaker and project developer at OostPact; Pelle Nijburg, filmmaker and winner of last year’s pitch; and Maike Pijnappel, who supports emerging filmmakers at Cultuur Academy.
With Go Short Arnhem, Go Short celebrates the versatility and imagination of short films every year. This gives both films that can surprise audiences right now and ideas that are still in development the chance to be seen and discovered.
