immersive director and creative producer
Utrecht based | ⓪③⓪ | immersive transdisciplinary creator ▣ design for the senses ◳ narrative minded | ☛ | creative digital strategy - research in immersive experiences | producer at studio zzzap ❥
Now on show
Visit Amsterdam’s famous Botermarkt 1675 together
As multi-user experiences are the next frontier of creative storytelling and directing experiences, I excitedly collaborate with ENTR to launch an intimate and human perspective on a cute corner of Amsterdam. I directed and wrote the script for the production, focusing on bringing forth women’s voices, stories of daily life, exciting details of the famous fair and the authentic diversity of citizens of late 17th century Amsterdam.
In September 1675, the Botermarkt – now known as Rembrandtplein – was the vibrant setting of a lively fair. 350 years later, this unique moment in Amsterdam’s history is brought back to life in the heart of the city.
Using the latest VR technology, you don’t just observe the past – you step into it. Wander through the market, explore the stalls, purchase goods, and soak up the atmosphere of the time. — You’ll find yourself right in the middle of history, surrounded by the people of 17th-century Amsterdam.
On show at the Nieuwe Kerk (Amsterdam) | 1 October - 15 January
XR Must, 16 december 2025
Building a VR Museum for the Next 10 Years: Vincent Slangen’s ENTR Project in Amsterdam (read more)
PAROOL, 1 oktober 2025
“In deze VR-ervaring in de Nieuwe Kerk wandel je rond op de Botermarkt in het zeventiende-eeuwse Amsterdam” (lees hier verder)
Bakkus
A production by
Merel uit de Machine
created by Hay Kranen
and Nienke Huitenga Broeren
Bakkus, the story gobbler, is an interactive installation where children create their own audio story together with a machine. Playfully, they discover how their voice, imagination and choices shape the narrative. The installation blends time travel, improvisation and digital storytelling, inspired by techniques such as cadavre exquis and theatre sports, but reimagined in a new, digital form.
Premiered at Cinekid Festival 2025
Presented at the national filmdebat by DAFF 2025
Lacuna (2025) | 34min
Sonja has no memory of the crucial moment in her early childhood that saved her life: the separation from her parents in 1943. The discovery of three silver rings that once belonged to Sonja’s parents triggers the director to begin prompting her about the past. In the emotional journey that follows, you accompany Sonja through skewed memories, elusive images and re-imaginations towards one moment of loss and grief during the Second World War.
A true story that leads you from Paramaribo to Amsterdam and into a psychiatric facility called Het Apeldoornsche Bosch. Combining conversations with Sonja, mesmerizing 3D modelling, animation and personal footage, Lacuna explores who we are in relation to who we were. Meanwhile you will find truth in imagination, beauty in the unknown and an act of unconditional love.
Directed by Maartje Wegdam and Nienke Huitenga Broeren. A production of Podium Biarritz, in co-production with Copper Views Film Productions and Studio Biarritz
Tour 2025-2026
upcoming
23 - 31 January 2026 at Fipadoc Biarritz
two more upcoming shows (stay stuned)
past
30 January - 9 February premiere at IFFR 2025
12 - 25 April at EYE Filmmuseum — tickets
4 May at OBA Amsterdam — free entrance
5 May at Stadschouwburg Utrecht - tickets
4 May - 1 June, Extended show at EYE - tickets
13 - 23 May at Cannes XR, immersive competition - press release
19 July - 31 August at Apeldoornsche Bos / Coda Apeldoorn
26 August - 3 October at Nederlands Film Fetival - in competition
9 oktober - 3 december at various film theatres - distributed by NU:Reality > program in English
10 October - 26 October at Kaohsiung Film Festival - in competition
21 October - 23 November ART*VR (Prague) - in competition
30 October - 8 November at Geneva Film Festival
13 December at Oorzaken festival
PRESS
Architecting a Multi-Threaded Narrative of Recovered Traumatic Memories in “Lacuna”
Voices of VR , 18 juli 2025 - Kent Bye
Is VR zo vluchtig als een performance?
NRC, 6 mei 2025 - Dana Linssen
Twee Nederlandse VR-titels in competitie Cannes
Filmkrant, 30 april 2025 - Kees Driessen
In VR-documentaire ‘Lacuna’ stapt de kijker ín de herinneringen van een onderduiker: ‘Als een stille getuige’
Parool, 12 april 2025 - Edo Dijksterhuis
'Het is een ode aan vroege herinneringen'
Filmkrant, 9 april 2025 - Leo Bankersen
Eigenlijk wil je alleen kunstenaars AI toevertrouwen, bewijst een tentoonstelling in Eye Filmmuseum
NRC, 8 april 2025 - Dana Linssen
LATEST WORK
DRIFT is an audio odyssey and an openworld podcast, that generates a never ending daynamic listening experience in your favourite podcast app. Step into a techo-fluid future of the Netherlands, 500 years from now. A world where water logged country, AI infused systems and a post-climate crisis society blossoms.
A creation of Merel uit de Machine and VPRO Medialab
DRIFT (2024) | 370min (approx.)
This Conversation is Off the Record (2023) | 60min
Off the Record builds on Peleds decade-long study of the consequences of risk-based profiling by Dutch police. She takes a deep dive into the crime prevention systems that are supposed to predict which young individuals will become criminals. The main characters are a journalist, a police officer, a human rights lawyer, and 125 youngsters. Peled combines radical imagination with thorough research to pose these questions: Who writes the script that dictates our lives?
A performative lecture by Nirit Peled, created in collaboration with Nienke Huitenga Broeren, Keez Duyves and Anne Maike Mertens.