Marjolijn Prins, (1987, The Netherlands), is a Brussels based documentary maker with a background in arts. During the last years of her study in Fina Art (2005 – 2009 at Minerva Academy, Groningen) she researched how far you can go to direct your life as a fiction film and decided as an experiment to realize her dream, which she had previously portrayed in a stop-motion film, as a documentary. Marjolijn made an attempt to travel with a camel from France to the Netherlands, but not a single step of the journey went according to the scenario. When the beauty of failure was embraced, her love for documentary is born.

In 2012 Marjolijn moved to Belgium to study film. In 2016 she graduated cum laude for her masters´s degree Documentary filmmaking at the RITCS in Brussels. Her fascination for shaping the world continues as a red thread through her studies. In her graduation film Mum, Me and the House, she follows Sam (27) and his mother Debbie (47). Together they undertake an adventurous journey to find the right course of treatment for Debbie´s cancer within the alternative medicine.

Mum, Me and the House , was screened at multiple film festivals around the world and won several awards a.o.t. the jury award at the International London Documentary Festival, a qualifying film festival for the Oscars.

Marjolijn currently has a focus on kids content. More specifically: documentary´s for kids. Showing how dreams can shape our future though the eyes of those most open and direct. In kids she finds an ideal audience, the most contempary you can wish for. They are not yet overloaded with cultural heritage and precepts of good taste. They are open to new ideas, rhythms and interpretations. This challenges her as a maker to always keep an open view and explore with the same curiosity as they do.

Filmography

HAIRY HEROES: SEASON 2 2021
Belgium SO2: 5 episodes of 10 minutes HAIRY HEROES is an outdoor adventure series for and about children, which takes place entirely within Brussels. In this second season they have a new mission: to turn Brussels into a dream city for children. In an urban environment, horse Akkie and donkey Peer, together with their caretakers Zaïde and Marjolijn, look for inspiring stories. During their journey they meet children from diverse backgrounds whose dreams come true. During the hike, Peer's stubbornness provides the necessary challenge, but Akkie's perseverance will always motivate him to finish what they started: Create a dream city for kids.

In collaboration with Zaïde Bil, Dokma Film and BRUZZ Ket. Expected broadcast date: autumn 2021at BRUZZ With the support of VGC.


FANTASTIQUE (in development)
Belgium Add link // lengte Fanta (9) dreams of becoming a professional star acrobat. As the only girl, she joins a local circus group of strong muscled men in the slums of Conakry, Guinea. With the help of magical sea creature Yémangari, she goes in against all expectations and finds the courage to follow her dream.

HAIRY HEROES: SEASON 1 2020
Belgium SO2: 5 episodes of 10 minutes https://www.bruzzket.be/videoreeks/harige-helden

The corona crisis is a very strange time for children, the world is turned upside down. Everything that was normal was shaken and jumbled.In the summer of 2020, many children had to have a mandatory staycation in Brussels. Many of them were trapped within the four walls of their homes or apartments, often without access to outdoor spaces. The Hairy Heroes came to the rescue and create an unforgettable experience for the children who stay at home.

HAIRY HEROES is an outdoor adventure series for and about children, which takes place entirely within Brussels. In an urban environment, horse Akkie and donkey Peer go in search of inspiring stories. During their journey they meet children from diverse backgrounds whose dreams come true. This gives the viewer an intimate insight into how children have experienced the past period and how they view the future.

In collaboration with Zaïde Bil and BRUZZ Ket. Broadcast date: winter 2020 at BRUZZ With the support of VGC and Sabam for Culture

MUM, ME AND THE HOUSE 2016

Belgium Short Documentary: 30 minutes https://vimeo.com/623823352/b810c6bc65

When Debbie (47) is diagnosed with cancer her son Sam (27) decides to postpone his plans to travel the world. He is convinced the incessant work renovating her dream house on the French countryside is the main cause of her illness. Together they undertake a journey to find the right course of treatment within the alternative medicine. Though this brings them closer together than they'd ever been, whenever they get baco were tired of the violence of the men. In collaboration with journalist Leslie Hodge for Vranckx & de Nomaden, VRT Broadcasted: Feb 2018 on VRT k to the house, Debbie falls straight back into her old, industrious habits.