Still: Whitetail - Nanouk Leopold

Whitetail** (prod. Circe Films & Kaap Holland Film) by Nanouk Leopold is selected for the International Feature Competition. The film celebrated its world premiere in Toronto’s Centrepiece programme. At the heart of the story is Jen, who has carried the guilt of a tragic accident since her teens – now, the past catches up, forcing her to find a way forward. SEE NL hopped on the ferry to Eye Filmmuseum with writer and director Nanouk Leopold to discuss the film before heading to TIFF, watch the interview here.

Also featured in the International Feature Competition is The Secret Agent** by Brazilian writer/director Kleber Mendonça Filho, a co-production with the Netherlands through Lemming Film (sales: MK2). The film competed for the Palme d’Or in Cannes Official Selection 2025. Set in 1977 Brazil, Marcelo, a technology expert in his early 40s, is on the run. He arrives in Recife during carnival week, hoping to reunite with his son but soon realizes that the city is far from being the non-violent refuge he seeks. Lemming’s Head of Film Erik Glijnis talked to SEE NL about the company’s first Brazilian collaboration before Cannes, read it here.

Competing in the New Directors Competition is Reedland** (prod. Viking Film, sales: The Party Film Sales) by Sven Bresser. The Dutch feature has been selected as the Netherlands’ official entry to the 98th Academy Awards in the International Feature Film category. It world premiered in competition at Critics Week in Cannes. When reed cutter Johan discovers the lifeless body of a girl on his land, he is overcome by an ambiguous sense of guilt. While taking care of his granddaughter, he sets out on a quest to track down evil. But darkness can thrive in unexpected places. We spoke to the Dutch filmmaker about his work before world-premiering at Cannes, read it here.

Koki, Ciao by Quenton Miller is selected for the Documentary Short Competition. The short world premiered this year at Berlinale where it won the Cupra Filmmaker award and has been successfully touring the festival circuit ever since. Selections include among others Teluride, IndieLisboa, DMZ Docs and Guanajuato International Film Festival.

Lastly, two Dutch co-productions are part of the festival selection: Two Prosecutors* by Sergei Loznitsa (NL co-prod. Atoms & Void) in the Spotlight section and Landmarks* by Lucrecia Martel (NL co-prod. Lemming Film) in the Documentary section.

For more information on Chicago International Film Festival 2025, click here.

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*film supported by the Netherlands Film Fund
**supported by the Netherlands Film Fund and Netherlands Production Incentive