Rotterdam and The Hague launch Scope talenthub at IFFR

ROTTERDAM, 2 February 2026 – Rotterdam and The Hague are joining forces to strengthen the regional film and media scene, with the official launch of Scope, Talenthub Zuid-Holland during IFFR 2026. The new platform aims to help film and media talent develop, move into professional productions, and build stronger links across the sector.

_{Image: Launch of Talenthub Scope. Photographer: Elyse Westman.}

At the launch, the two cities also announced a joint support scheme (stimuleringsregeling) worth €100,000 to fund paid work experience for regional cast and crew on productions filmed in Rotterdam or The Hague.

Scope brings regional support together

South Holland already has a rich film and media landscape, with makers, production companies, education, festivals and screening venues. The problem, as the cities describe it, is that support is fragmented, and makers do not always find their way through what already exists.

Scope is meant to bring existing initiatives together and tighten collaboration, so you can get clearer guidance and support at different stages of your career.

€100,000 for paid work experience

The new pilot scheme will be linked to the Netherlands Film Production Incentive (Netherlands Film Production Incentive) from the Dutch Film Fund (Nederlands Filmfonds). The idea is that productions shooting in Rotterdam or The Hague get extra room to bring in regional cast and crew.

The pilot is still being worked out and is expected to start in the short term.

Talent does not stop at city lines

Said Kasmi, Rotterdam’s alderman for culture, frames the partnership as practical rather than symbolic: “Rotterdam and The Hague are doing this together, because talent does not stop at municipal borders. With Scope, we are building one regional network that supports makers exactly when it matters: when they want to gain real experience on real productions and grow their career. That way, opportunities stay in the region and talent can truly progress here.”

The Hague’s alderman for culture and economic development, Saskia Bruines, emphasises visibility and professional strengthening: “There is a lot of talent and creativity in South Holland. With Scope, we are creating more coherence and investing together in the development and visibility of makers. With the new support scheme for local cast and crew, The Hague and Rotterdam are immediately taking a concrete step to strengthen the professional practice of film and media makers.”

A growing network beyond two cities

Scope starts from the Rotterdam and The Hague partnership, but the next step is to explore how other municipalities can join and how the network can expand gradually.

If that works, it could mean a clearer regional pathway from talent development to professional work, without needing to jump between disconnected programmes.

Sector partners behind Scope

Scope is described as a collaboration between International Film Festival Rotterdam, Filmhuis Den Haag, Qissa, Buddy Film Foundation, Rotterdam Writers’ Rooms, LantarenVenster and New Producers Academy.

Together, they aim to build a continuous development line that centres on talent development, matchmaking, visibility and audience reach.