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Frans van Gestel's journey as a film producer started in 1996. Over the following decades his more than 170 projects have included feature films, drama series, and various international co-productions. Many titles have been welcomed and honoured to become award-winning favourites of the national and international films and series festivals.
Van Gestel's filmography notably ranges from the renowned feature films 'Instinct' (2019) with Halina Reijn, 'In Orange' (2004), 'Black Book' (2006), 'Black Butterflies' (2011) with Paula van der Oest, and 'Layla M.' (2016), to internationally acclaimed co-productions such as 'Stellet Licht' (2007) with Carlos Reygadas, 'The Broken Circle Breakdown' (2012) with Felix van Groeningen, 'Another Round' (2020) with Thomas Vinterberg, and 'Close' (2022) with Lukas Dhont. 'Stellet Licht' was honoured with the Grand Prix du Jury Prize of the 2007 Cannes Film Festival, and 'Another Round' won Best International Feature Film at the 2021 Academy Awards.
Stand-out series such as 'Childhood Dreams' (2023), 'Elixir' (2025), and most recently 'Etty' (2025) have been embraced in the limelight, with 'Childhood Dreams' premiering at Cannes Series 2023, and 'Etty' premiering at the Venice International Film Festival 2025.
Further honourable mentions include 'Love Is All' (2007) & 'The Family Way' (2012), 'The Heineken Kidnapping' (2011), 'Post Tenebras Lux' (2012), and 'Land and Shade' (2015). 'Post Tenebras Lux' won the award for best director of the Cannes Film Festival 2012, and 'Land and Shade' won the Caméra d'Or of the Cannes Film Festival 2015.
Together with his producing partner, van Gestel founded Motel Films in 1996 as his primary stepping stone. Eventually, after crossing paths with producers Arnold Heslenfeld and Laurette Schillings, this new trio then transformed Motel Films into a collaborative endeavour, and from it founded the production house Topkapi Films in 2011. The Amsterdam-based company places a core value on building long-lasting relationships with fresh voices and established names alike.
Frans van Gestel has been a board member of the Rotterdam Filmfest, and the Dutch Producers Association. He is also a member of the international producer network Ace and Eave.
