Award-winning Miriam Kruishoop (Vive Elle, Unter Den Palmen, Greencard Warriors) is a Dutch-American writer/director and visual artist. Kruishoop graduated with honors from the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam. Kruishoop previously wrote and directed another Latino film, the award-winning feature Greencard Warriors starring Manny Perez. The film tells the story of an undocumented family whose eldest son is recruited by the army with the promise of a green card. In 2014, Kruishoop was awarded the Best Director Award at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF). After its theatrical release, the film was featured on HBO Latino.
Kruishoop’s work centers around diversity and focuses on the under-seen people in society – the isolated within communities and the victims of racism and prejudice. Kruishoop has won multiple awards for her work including the Culture Prize of the City of Amsterdam, a Tiger Award at IFFR and several Best Director Awards, including at the New York International Film Festival, LA FEMME International Film Festival and at LALIFF.
Ellen Utrecht
Award-winning producer Ellen Utrecht is the founder of a production company called MikeTeevee (The Lego Movie, Veterans ForGun Reform) As a producer, Utrecht focuses on bringing meaningful content and powerful storytelling to a larger audience.
Throughout her career, Utrecht has delivered impactful commercials for brands such as Diesel, Adidas, Bavaria Beer, Experian, Booking.comand many other global brands. A critically acclaimed innovator in media, Utrecht has pioneered new and groundbreaking production approaches for clients like Philips, Heineken, KLMand Lego. Last year she created the powerful film Veterans For Gun Reform which garnered over 48 million views. Most recently she produced We The People, a series of conversations hosted by Van Jones and Cari Champion, which advance the dialogue about race. Through her production arm MidNight Pictures, Utrecht is expanding into feature films.
Awards & Nominations include: Clio Award, 3 x Bronze Lion , 4 x Silver Lion and 2 x Gold Lion, Gold Dolphin and 2x Silver Dolphin (Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards) and Grand Prix Lion (CNN Ecosphere 2012.)