Screening Program
Ticket Partner - koortickets
Masterclasses
8 November 2025 Room No-1 Het Koorenhuis
Masterclass-1
Time: 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Presenter: Patricia Hetherington
Topic: Film Budgeting and Microbudget Finance
Patricia Hetherington
Originally from New Zealand and based in London, Patricia Hetherington is a narrative short-form content producer. She has produced over 40 short films and continues to work in the industry as an assistant director and production manager. She is an educator who runs the skills development project Action On The Side and has taught film and media at college and university levels. She works with film festivals and sits on juries for short film competitions.
Masterclass-2
Time: 03:30 to 4:30 PM
Presenter: Felix Martinez
Title: From Page to Screen: Screenwriting That Works
Synopsis: From Page to Screen: Screenwriting that Works will feature a thought provoking discussion on the most common perils of screenwriting, and the issues writers face in getting their screenplays produced. So as to make sure we are all on the same page, we will briefly discuss the general narrative structure rules of screenwriting. The masterclass delves into discussing the function of the protagonist in screenplays, the importance of loglines and outlines and finding the right balance in pitching. The talk goes over the most common mistakes that I have found throughout the years in screenplays. I will be sharing my insight on why bad scripting makes it to the screen (and how good scripting doesn’t), and we will conclude with a discussion on symbols in writing before addressing specific questions.
Félix Martínez
After working in a few production companies in Hollywood and obtaining his Bachelor of Fine Arts in screenwriting from the New York Film Academy, Felix quickly found work as a Script Doctor in his home country of Argentina. Felix has been working as a Script Doctor for various known personalities and production companies from Buenos Aires since 2019. He is currently also a juror for the New York International Screenplay Awards, the Seattle Film Festival and the New York Screenwriting Awards.
9 November 2025 Room No-1 Het Koorenhuis
Masterclass-3
Time: 11:30 to 12:30 PM
Presenters: Barbara McVeigh and José Neto
Topic: Power of Film/Storytelling in Elevating Culture and Community
Barbara McVeigh
Barbara McVeigh is a Filmmaker, Writer, and Impact Producer from Northern California. Her work focuses on untold or forgotten narratives related to politics, conservation, and the arts to inspire. Her recent film, The Man Behind the White Guitar, about the life and music of Brazilian guitarist José Neto, has won international awards. She is the Founder of the California Carter Initiative, bringing attention to the work of U.S. President Jimmy Carter related to peace and conservation. Barbara will be joining the International Film Festival The Hague (IFFH) following a presentation about the power of the arts to strengthen democracy at the World Forum for Democracy in France, sponsored by the Council of Europe under the patronage of French President Emmanuel Macron.
José Neto
Brazilian born José Neto moved to New York in 1978 to join Harry Belafonte as guitarist and later Musical Director—roles he held for thirty years touring around the world, including South Africa. Neto has also collaborated with legends like Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, Herbie Mann, Jim Capaldi, Paquito D’Rivera, Tania Maria, Carlos Santana, and the Allman Brothers, those whose music helped to uplift and continues to impact culture. He’s the founder of The Netoband and co-founder of the jazz-fusion group Fourth World with Airto Moreira and Flora Purim. He starred in the internationally award-winning documentary The Man Behind The White Guitar, which won international awards. www.themanbehindthewhiteguitar.com
Masterclass-4
Time: 3:30 to 4:30 PM
Presenter: Sandy SIquier
Title: Bringing Performances to Life: Directing Actors for Film
Synopsis: “Bringing Performances to Life: Directing Actors for Film” explores the crucial role of script analysis in directing actors. By approaching the script as a dynamic entity rather than a rigid blueprint, directors and actors can unlock their creativity and take the story to unexpected directions. This Master Class emphasizes the significance of collaboration in fostering an environment where intuition can thrive and creative choices can be made. Ultimately, it provides a framework for a healthy, caring, and respectful relationship between director and actor, the bedrock for exceptional screen performances.
Sandy SIquier
Actor, screenwriter, director, and mother with 20+ years of experience. Her work has been showcased internationally in galleries, museums, and festivals like Berlin, Milan, Shanghai, and Vancouver. She holds a Master’s in Latin American Literature (summa cum laude) from Syracuse University and a Bachelor’s in Mass Communication from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello. She has taught literature, screenwriting, and directing, and worked as a copywriter for brands including Unilever and American Express. Currently, she is working on the post-production of Umbilical Cord, publishing Apron Tales, and developing the feature film The Cyclops.
Moderator
Sonu Shiva
Sonu Shiva is a Professor of English at Govt. Dungar College, Bikaner, India, with over 25 years of distinguished experience in teaching and research. A known film critic, lyricist, and song composer, she has delivered lectures across Europe and Southeast Asia, contributing actively to international academic and cultural dialogues. Her research, published in reputed international journals, focuses on cinematic works such as Kamal Amrohi’s Pakeezah, Muzaffar Ali’s Umrao Jaan, and film adaptations by Deepa Mehta (Earth, Water, Fire) and Vishal Bhardwaj (Haider, Maqbool, Omkara).
Dedicated to mentorship and social impact, she has successfully supervised eleven Ph.D. scholars and is currently guiding eight doctoral students working on issues like dissociative self , marital rape, midlife crisis, children under oppressive regimes, adolescence conflicts and science fiction in literature as well as digital spaces. Her core areas of interest include film studies, gender studies, diasporic and world literature, making her a prominent voice in interdisciplinary literary and cultural research in India and abroad.
Venue
Address
Prinsegracht 27 2512 EW Den Haag
The Koorenhuis is an iconic building in the centre of The Hague. Its name, ‘The Corn House’, refers to its original use as a warehouse for storing and trading corn. Built in 1662, the building is a charming example of Dutch classicism, with red bricks and symmetrical blocks featuring large windows, devoid of ostentatious flourishes. From 1656 to 1849, it was the artistic centre of The Hague and home to the Confrérie Pictura, a society of artists who would later found the Royal Academy of Art. The building’s spacious interior is home to all kinds of cultural activities, from music concerts to workshops and private events.
Perhaps due to its history as a cultural epicentre, Het Koorenhuis is the perfect venue for our film festival, offering a unique opportunity to mingle with filmmakers from around the globe and celebrate the 7th art.
Hotel Booking
Book your corporate rate for International Film Festival The Hague
Address: Muzentoren, Wijnhaven 6, 2511 GA Den Haag, Netherlands Phone: +31 70 205 1500
