Lander Haverals (1985 – Bruges) developed his passion for film and documentary at the Mooov Film Festival, formerly known as Cinema Novo. At the age of 16, he was selected to be a member of the jury and thereafter, he became a passionate volunteer at the festival.
He turned his passion into his job after studying at the National Radio and Film Institution (NARAFI) in Brussels, where he successfully graduated in 2007.
Lander worked from 2007 to 2011 for the television and film production company “Woestijnvis” (Desert Fish) and from 2014 he also started working for “De Chinezen”.
In spring 2011, to satisfy his passion for photography and human interest, he took a year long break to travel around the world to meet new people and immerse himself in new cultures.
So far, in his career he has always focused on human interest and documentaries. As a director he worked for the daily tv shows: “Man Bijt Hond” (Man Bites Dog) and “Iedereen Beroemd” (Everyone Famous). Both are about the daily struggles and joys of life.
As well as several documentary series: “De Rechtbank” (“Court” – about the justice system in Belgium), “De Recherche” (“Detectives” – following several crime solving units in Belgium), “De Noodcentrale” (“Emergency Call Centre”), “De Acht” (travel show – following the diaries of eight Belgian explorers).
With his first short “Pure Madness” and his latest feature documentary "Strokes of Madness", he is now trying to realise a long existing dream and hopes to break the taboo of a very well known, but not widely spoken social problem: mental suffering. This is in loving memory of his brother Jelle, who committed suicide in 2007.