Lilian Sijbesma (1983) is an Amsterdam based filmmaker. She graduated in Directing and Screenwriting at the Utrecht School of the Arts. Since then she has worked on several film projects and series. She wrote the children’s series ‘Kabam!’, that won an International Emmy Award and Cinekid Lion. She also wrote and directed episodes of the children’s series ‘Dropje’ and wrote the screenplay for 'Okedoeibedankt', a feature film directed by Nicole van Kilsdonk. 'Onder de Blote Hemel', her debut feature film as a writer and director, was released in september 2023. The script won the Visser-Neerlandia Award for Best unproduced Screenplay of the Netherlands and Flanders and the film received a nomination for best Actress (Rifka Lodeizen) at the Netherlands Film Festival.
In 2024 Lilian Sijbesma received the Burny Bos Eigenwijsprijs at the Cinekid Festival.
Filmography
- selection -
Kolletje (in development) I animated short - stop motion I Rinkel Film & 5 A.M. Studios
Screenwriter: Floor Paul & Lilian Sijbesma I Director: Camiel Schouwenaar
Based on the books by Pieter Feller & Natascha Stenvert
With support of the Netherlands Film Fund
Kabam! - season 2 (in pre-production) I children's series I IJswater Films, KRO-NCRV
De Mensen & VRT
Screenwriter: Floor Paul & Lilian Sijbesma I Director: Elisabeth Hesemans
Saïd & Anna I children's series I Phanta Basta!, Indi Film, EO, SRW & VRT I 2023
Screenwriter: Jeanine Cronie & Fiona van Heemstra I Director: Hilt Lochten (12 eps) & Lilian Sijbesma (4 eps)
Broadcasted in the Netherlands and Belgium
Winner of a Kidscreen Award Best Live-Action Series Preschool 2025
Nominated for a Rockie Award at the BANFF World Media Festival 2024
Festival selections: Cinekid 2023 * JEF 2024
Onder de Blote Hemel I feature film I Revolver Amsterdam & Serendipity Films I 2023
Screenwriter & Director: Lilian Sijbesma
With support of the Netherlands Film Fund, Flanders Audiovisual Fund & Eurimages
Winner of the Visser-Neerlandia award for Best Screenplay 2018
Nominated for Best Actrice (Rifka Lodeizen) at the Netherlands Film Festival 2023
Winner of a Bronze Horse at Stockholm Film Festival Junior 2024
Winner of the International Student Jury Award at Film by The Sea 2023
Festival selections: Tallinn Black Nights (Just Film section) 2023 * Film Fest Gent 2023
* International Film Festival of India 2023 * Stockholm Film Festival Junior 2024
Okedoeibedankt I feature film I Labyrint Film & BNNVARA I 2023
Screenwriter: Lilian Sijbesma & Nicole van Kilsdonk I Director: Nicole van Kilsdonk
Broadcasted in the Netherlands, released in cinema's in Poland
Winner of the Youth Jury Award at Chicago International Children's Film Festival 2023, the Kids Jury Award at Young Film Festival Cologne 2023 & the Audience Award at Athens International Children's Film Festival 2023
Nominated for Best Dutch Children's Film & the Youth Jury Award at Cinekid 2023
Festival selections: New York International Children's Film Festival 2023 * BUFF Malmö 2023
Kristiansand International Children's Film Festival 2023 * Busan International Kids and Youth Film Festival 2023
Kabam! I children's series I IJswater Films & KRO-NCRV I 2021
Screenwriter: Floor Paul & Lilian Sijbesma I Director: Elisabeth Hesemans
Broadcasted in the Netherlands and Belgium
Winner of an International Emmy Award: Kids Live-Action 2022
Winner of the Cinekid Lion for Best Dutch Fiction Series 2021
Winner Second Prize Best Live-Action TV Chicago International Children’s Festival 2022
Nominated for Prix Jeunesse 2022
Dropje I children's series I Submarine, Walking the Dog & NTR I 2020
Screenwriter & Director: Meikeminne Clinckspoor, Maarten van Voornveld & Lilian Sijbesma
Broadcasted in the Netherlands & Belgium
Nominated for the International Kids Emmy Awards & Prix Jeunesse in 2020
Kikeriki I teaser for tv show I Kikeriki Productions GmbH I 2015
Director: Lilian Sijbesma I Screenwriter: Andreas Völlinger & Robin Getrost
Canvas Blanco I live music video City of Catharines I Room Service Music I 2014
Director: Lilian Sijbesma
Melkweg 51 I short film I Doogle Producties I 2013
Director: Lilian Sijbesma I screenwriter: Yim Brakel
Made for 48 hour Cinekid
Bear Valour I live music video Sturdy Wine I Room Service Music I 2013
Director: Lilian Sijbesma
Everybody is sleeping I poetic short film I Art & Media Kitchen I 2013
Director: Lilian Sijbesma
Shown during live concert The Pale Blue Dot
Joey's First Fight I short film I Shooting Star Film Company & KRO I 2012
Screenwriter: Lilian Sijbesma I Director: Dave Schram
Broadcasted in 2012 by KRO, BBC & ARD
Strangers I short film I 2012
Director: Lilian Sijbesma, Yim Brakel, Léonie de Boer, Sia Hermanides & Alieke van Saarloos Screenwriter: Bart Juttmann
Marijn I graduation film I Hogeschool voor de Kunsten Utrecht I 2010
Screenwriter & Director: Lilian Sijbesma
Awards: 1st Prize KUKI International Short Film Festival for Children and Youth Berlin 2011 - Best Film, Best Director, Best Music, Best Actrice & Audience Award at Eindhovens Film Festival 2010 - Broadcasted by Z@ppelin24 in 2011 & 2012 Festival selections: Cinekid 2010 * Lucas International Children's Film Festival Frankfurt 2011 * KUKI International Short Film Festival for Children and Youth, Berlin 2011 * Lady Film Makers Filmfestival Beverly Hills 2011 * Lesofantenfest Vienna 2011 Sehsuechte Student Film Festival Potsdam 2012 * Cellul'art Short Film Festival Jena 2012 * Go Short Film Festival Nijmegen 2011 * Leids Film Festival 2011 * Eindhovens Film Festival 2010 * Flicks International Student Film Festival Groningen 2011
Krijgers van de Nieuwe Wereld I short film I HKU & Holland Doc 24 I 2010
Screenwriter & Director: Lilian Sijbesma, Jan van Gorkum & Jasper Kelderman
Broadcasted by Holland Doc 24 in 2010, 2011 & 2012
Winner Vers Audience Award 2010