Experiencing Interruptions?

Mom's Secret

Yara, a 13-year-old girl, has lost her mother without being able to say goodbye. When she returns with her father to the campsite where she has been camping for years, she notices strange things at night. These things point to her old caravan. Together with her best friend Deon she starts an investigation in which she learns to accept the loss of her mother.

  • Matthijs van Esveld
    Director
  • Rosalie Wegman
    Writer
  • Rosalie Wegman
    Producer
  • Richard Wegman
    Producer
  • Marieke den Breejen - Wegman
    Producer
  • Matthijs van Esveld
    Executive producers
  • Nikki Lemmens
    Executive producers
  • Rosalie Wegman
    Key Cast
    "Yara"
  • Duco Bunschoten
    Key Cast
    "Deon"
  • Duncan Meijering
    Key Cast
    "Jeroen"
  • Claire Schuyffel
    Key Cast
    "Anna"
  • Jaydie van den Berg
    Supporting cast
  • Pieter Tiddens
    Supporting cast
  • Lavie van Ingen Schimanski
    Featured role
  • Richard Wegman
    Featured role
  • Rosalie Wegman
    child actors
  • Duco van Bunschoten
    child actors
  • Jaydie van den Berg
    child actors
  • Rosalie Wegman
    Casting director
  • Nikita van Gilst
    Assistent director
  • Leilah van der Meer
    Art director
  • Tom van Zutphen
    Director of Photography
  • Noor Verbiest
    First assistant camera
  • Tom van Zutphen
    Gaffer
  • Makai van Haren
    Sound
  • Marije Verhoef
    Production management
  • Eva Glastra van Loon
    Costume and wardrobe
  • Marieke den Breejen
    Make up and hair
  • Oscar Mosterd
    Composer
  • Gijsbert Ambachtsheer
    Sound design
  • Eva Verkerk
    Editor
  • Gwenn van der Woude
    Colorist
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Mama's Geheim
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Youth, drama, family, mystery
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 59 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 18, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Netherlands
  • Country of Filming:
    Belgium
  • Language:
    Dutch
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Cinekid Film Festival 2024
    Amsterdam
    Netherlands
    October 31, 2024
    Premiere
  • Kerala Short Film Festival
    Kochi
    India
    March 29, 2025
    Selected in category 'best children's film' & 'best child actor'
  • The Medusa Film Festival

    United States
    March 31, 2025
    Winner 'best actress'. Selected in category 'best short film'
  • The international Short Film Festival by Stichting V.O.I.C.E.
    Leidschendam
    Netherlands
    April 11, 2025
    Winner 'best short film'
  • Live Screenings International Film Festival
    Tbilisi
    Georgia
    May 30, 2025
    Winner 'best Family, Children, Teen and Adolescent Film'
  • Pune Short Film Festival
    Pune
    India
    June 2, 2025
    Selected in category 'best children's film' & 'best child-artist'
  • Good Vibes International Film Festival
    Odisha
    India
    June 30, 2025
    Winner 'best short drama' - winner 'best screenplay writer short film' - winner 'best key cast short film''
  • Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival
    Athens
    Greece
    July 2, 2025
    Honorable mention 'best short film'
  • Bangkok Movie Awards
    Bangkok
    Thailand
    July 13, 2025
    Winner 'best family/children film'
  • Mokkho International Film Festival
    Pondicherry
    India
    July 8, 2025
    Winner 'best children short film' & special mention 'best screenwriter'
  • Amsterdam New Cinema Film Festival
    Amsterdam
    Netherlands
    July 31, 2025
    Honorable mention 'best actress'
  • FIVE CONTINENTS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
    Puerto la Cruz
    August 3, 2025
    Winner 'best young actress & best short drama'
  • Canada International Children's Film Festival
    Toronto
    Canada
    August 23, 2025
    Honorable mention 'best European short film'
  • Mangalia Youth Film Festival
    Bucharest
    Romania
    August 27, 2025
    Selected in category 'short film'
  • Golden Bridge İstanbul Short Film Festival
    İstanbul
    September 7, 2025
    Selected in category 'short drama film'
  • The Millesimo Cairo Montenotte International Film Festival
    Millesimo
    Italy
    September 19, 2025
    Winner 'best screenwriter' & Honorable mention 'best short drama'
  • The Chameleon Film Festival
    Naples
    Italy
    September 23, 2025
    Winner 'best emerging screenwriter & Selected in category 'best short movie'
  • The Global INDIE Filmmakers Awards
    Standish
    United Kingdom
    September 26, 2025
    3rd place in category 'best children's film'
  • KO(O)RTS / Weird, Wicked & Wonderful
    Enschede
    Netherlands
    September 27, 2025
  • Alibag Short Film Festival
    Alibag
    India
    October 5, 2025
    Selected in category 'best children's film'
  • Golden Nugget International Film Festival
    Varna
    Bulgaria
    October 18, 2025
    Winner in category 'Best Drama Short'
  • Cinemira Budapest International Children's and Youth Film Festival
    Budapest
    Hungary
    October 25, 2025
    Selected in category 'short live action for 10-13 yrs old children'
  • Colortape International Film Festival
    Brisbane
    Australia
    October 27, 2025
    Selected in category 'Foreign Films (Non-English)'
  • Fortean Film Festival
    Standish
    United Kingdom
    October 31, 2025
    Winner 'best children's film'
  • The Inner City Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    November 4, 2025
    Winner 'best child actor'
  • Goa Short Film Festival
    Goa
    India
    November 15, 2025
    Selected in category 'best children's film'
  • MegaFlix Movie Awards
    Standish
    United Kingdom
    November 7, 2025
    Selected in category 'best children's film'
  • International Celebration of Cinema
    Standish
    United Kingdom
    November 28, 2025
    Selected in category 'best children's film'
  • West Bengal Short Film Festival
    Kolkate
    India
    November 29, 2025
    Selected in category 'best children's film' and 'best child artist'
  • FFTG Awards
    New York
    United States
    November 29, 2025
    Selected in category 'best short'
  • Roots Film Festival
    The Hague
    Netherlands
    December 13, 2025
    selected in category 'best short'
  • KOSO filmfestival
    Berlin
    Germany
    December 13, 2025
    Selected in category 'Best actor' and 'Best actress'
  • Himachal Short Film Festival
    Himachal
    India
    December 27, 2025
    Selected in category 'best children's film' and 'best child artist'
  • MEDEZFEST
    Baħrija, Rabat
    Morocco
    July 4, 2026
    Official selection
Director Biography - Matthijs van Esveld

Maud (2021): a short coming-of-age drama about a neglected girl.
Apotheose (2022): a short horrordrama about autonomy.
De Vloek van Kamp Nachtrust (2023): a short horrorfilm for childeren about fear.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I know Rosalie as a actrice since she was 9 years old and have done many projects with her since then. When she told me about Mom's secret, I was directly touched by her script and her plan for this film. She turned her fear of losing her father and not saying goodbye
into what she knew; a film. This was her way to release emotions.