Eye has been through a difficult period. In 2024 and 2025, losses were incurred that required far-reaching measures. On 1 December 2025, we announced a restructuring: in close consultation with the Works Council and the trade unions, we parted ways with a number of highly valued colleagues. The much-loved museum shop and the in-house catering operation, both of which had been making structural losses, were also discontinued. We understand that this has had an enormous impact on everyone at Eye, and we wish to emphasise that it has affected us deeply as well. We take full responsibility for these decisions.
We do, however, wish to address a number of concerns raised by the coverage.
Eye Filmmuseum’s response to recent coverage in Het Parool
Over the past few weeks, the Amsterdam newspaper Het Parool has published several articles about the financial position of Eye Filmmuseum. We understand the interest, but regret that information shared internally has been taken out of context and made public. We recognise that the coverage raises questions for everyone who has a connection with Eye, including staff, visitors, partners, funds, donors, the City of Amsterdam and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. We also understand that, as a public institution, we have a responsibility to account for our actions. Unfortunately, we were not given the opportunity to respond substantively in or alongside last Saturday’s article. We therefore do so now.
By Management and Supervisory Board Eye Filmmuseum20 April 2026
Financial position
Eye pays its suppliers: all invoices have always been settled and no supplier has had to wait longer than the standard statutory payment period. Eye only enters into commitments it is able to honour. The liquidity forecasts for 2026 and 2027 currently indicate a stable trajectory. The outlook for 2026 is an almost neutral result. From 2027 onwards, it is expected that reserves can once again be rebuilt. The document from which Het Parool has drawn is an internal draft annual report. As always, the final annual accounts will be made publicly available on our website.
Public accessibility
Eye remains open to the public seven days a week for film screenings and exhibitions. The conservation and screening of films and film culture, and the provision of education about them, continue as normal. These activities are the very reason Eye exists, and they have not been compromised.
Working culture
Het Parool quotes very selectively from the internal culture study – conducted on Eye’s behalf by JC Business Consultancy – with the result that the passages cited do not reflect the full findings. The study also shows that Eye is characterised by a strong passion for film and craftsmanship, with high levels of engagement and pride amongst staff. Psychological safety within teams scores highly: staff feel free to make mistakes, ask questions and share knowledge. This provides a solid foundation for a healthy working culture. Sickness absence has fallen sharply (from a peak of 11.36% in 2024 to a healthy level of 4.36% at the time of writing). We naturally take the recommendations of the study seriously. We continue to work towards a strong organisation with an open culture and a professional way of working.
Necessary yet considered measures
The measures taken over the past year were driven by necessity, but also reflect deliberate and considered choices. By scaling back the range of activities, Eye is now focusing even more clearly on what it does best: the management and preservation of the film archive, and strengthening the coherence between collection, presentation and education. That is the heart of Eye. For catering, Eye has been working with Vermaat since December — an established partner better equipped for that area of service. The space formerly occupied by the museum shop will very shortly receive a temporary new use in keeping with Eye’s role as a cultural landmark on the north bank of the IJ. Meanwhile, the team is working with great commitment on programmes and exhibitions, including Eye(s) Open, 2001: A Time Capsule and Queer Power.
Looking ahead
Eye is a resilient organisation with broad and diverse appeal. The steps taken were as painful as they were necessary. We are aware of how much this period asks of our staff and all those involved, and we remain committed to rebuilding trust and stability. We look ahead to a film museum that is financially sound, that brings out the best in its staff, and that continues to surprise its many visitors and partners with the finest that film culture has to offer.