International Cultural Policy

Through its International Cultural Policy, the Dutch government aims to enhance international cultural exchange and collaboration. In implementing its international cultural policy, the government collaborates with state culture funds, cultural organisations, diplomatic posts and other national and international cultural partners.

Eye Filmmuseum and the Netherlands Film Fund (under the banner of SEE NL) are responsible for implementing the international cultural policy in regard to Dutch films and the Dutch film industry. One of the main objectives in this context is increasing awareness and improving the international market position of Dutch films and the Dutch film industry. This always involves close collaboration with partners in the field, such as professional associations and film festivals, as well as diplomatic posts.

Major projects include Dutch delegations at big international film markets such as Cannes, Berlin, Toronto, Clermont-Ferrand and Annecy. In addition, SEE NL also participates in cross-sector programmes such as last year’s Futuro Presente, a programme that focused on promoting Dutch children’s and youth films, children’s literature and youth performing arts in Italy.

SEE NL also organises the International Visitors Programme. The programme is an initiative of the Education, Culture & Science Ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, focused on increasing awareness and improving the international market position of Dutch artists and organisations.

Through this programme, international film professionals are invited to the Netherlands to familiarise themselves with Dutch films and the Dutch film industry. In this way, the programme aims to increase the volume of assignments, festival selections, projects and foreign (co)productions for Dutch companies. To this end, SEE NL works as intensively as possible with partners in the field (film festivals and other cultural organisations).