Experiencing Interruptions?

Unspoken Truth

Timothy, a passionate young graphic designer with a chronic stutter faces an accusation of sexual harassment by a client. Despite his disability, he must stand up for himself against HR.

A short film depicting the genuine challenges of a misunderstood disability, wrapped in a fictional office drama. By stuttering director Irmo Stijnberg.

  • Irmo Stijnberg
    Director
  • Irmo Stijnberg
    Writer
  • Moreno Koning
    Producer
    Luca's Veerkracht, Nachtbraker, Makamba
  • Belal Abhar
    Director of Photography
    Rodina, Happy Ending, This Is Gonna Be Great
  • Mike Bloemberg
    Key Cast
    "Timothy"
  • Jelle Meijerink
    Key Cast
    "Jonah (Colleague)"
  • Corinne Mulder
    Key Cast
    "Lena (HR Manager)"
  • Jeroen Scholten
    Key Cast
    "Jip (HR Manager)"
  • Sen Lenderink
    Key Cast
    "Sofie"
  • Roberta Romelli
    Key Cast
    "Wesley"
  • Remo Kuhlmann
    Sound Designer
    Kocham Cie, Coffee House, Luca's Veerkracht, Het Licht is al Uit, Stiletto
  • Fayez Saraya
    Composer
  • Boudewijn van de Velde
    Colorist
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    De Waarheid
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Society, Stuttering, Speech impediment, Inclusivity, Disability, Human Rights, Independent, controversial
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    June 3, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Netherlands
  • Country of Filming:
    Netherlands
  • Language:
    Dutch
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Playa Film Festival
    Noord
    Aruba
    October 4, 2025
    World, Caribbean
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Irmo Stijnberg

Irmo Stijnberg (1988) is a person who stutters and Dutch film director and actor with a background in live-television broadcasting. He is renowned for his innovative storytelling techniques that seamlessly integrate journalism, fiction, and machinima. He firmly believes film is not just a medium to be consumed, but that it must reveal.

His career started with crafting captivating video game trailers and his work has been featured in publications such as Beckett Massive Online Gamer and on major gaming platforms including ArenaNet and Riot Games.

For him, filmmaking and story-telling is a lifelong journey of self-expression and exploration.

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Director Statement

In an era where people all across the world get to share their story, their struggles, those who have physical challenges to speak (1-2% of the adult population) feel left behind. When people think stuttering is just anxiety or something you can 'get over', how can they see your story as worth hearing?

As someone who stutters I have experienced similar situations to those portrayed in this film, which had a long-lasting negative impact on my mental well-being. I grew frustrated with others defining the experience for me. In communities of people who stutter there are countless stories about how their stuttering is misunderstood and misrepresented. Motivated by this, I decided to write, produce and direct a short film in which I aim to realistically depict the physical and social struggles and discomfort of stuttering.

Unspoken Truth became not only a film about stuttering, but a symbol of oppression. It became a film about passion, dreams, perseverance and resilience.

Stuttering, and expression itself, is not just about how someone speaks. It's also about how others choose to listen.

"You'll never be able to direct any film with that stutter of yours " - more people than you'd think.

The first-time actor portraying Timothy (Mike Bloemberg) does not stutter in his everyday life.