Biography

Willem Timmers is a Dutch documentary film director, cinematographer and editor best known for his award winning films 'Framing the Other' (2012), 'The Other Side of Town' (2018) and 'Short Dick Man' (2025). Framing the Other screened at over 100 film festivals across five continents and won nine human rights-related film awards. The Other Side of Town was nominated for the Golden Calf Award at the Netherlands Film Festival 2018, the most prestigious film prize in the Dutch film industry. Short Dick Man won the audience award at the Roze Filmdagen, the biggest LGBTQI+ film festival in the Netherlands. He is also known for his contribution as co-director and supervising story producer for Netflix Originals series 'Human Playground' (2022). The series starring Idris Elba was shot in 30 countries across the globe and released in all 192 countries worldwide.

Willems background in anthropology leaves an important mark on his work. Themes he often explores in his work focus on identity, prejudice, injustice and diversity. Stories about sex workers, influencers and top athletes. About struggle, dedication and liberation. He always tries to make worlds accessible without flattening them, and make perspectives visible that often remain hidden.

Apart from his independent film work, Willem also frequently works as a director, cinematographer and editor for Dutch and international broadcasters and streamers such as Netflix, VPRO, VICE and BNNVARA. His work is acclaimed by Dutch and international media, stating it as "a strong and unique show-don't tell approach" (De Volkskrant about 'Ni Hao Holland'), "uncomfortable to watch and therefore compulsory for Western society" (NRC about 'Framing the Other') and "questions stuck prejudices through the art of film" ('De Volkskrant about 'the Other Side of Town").
- IMDb mini biography by: anonymous