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Theologian and film critic
Country of origin
The Netherlands

Joël Friso MA (*1986) is a theologian and film critic. After years of working as a communication specialist for the Dutch Government, he works now as a chaplain in the elderly care. He holds a Master’s degree in Media, Religion and Culture and in Spiritual Care. He graduated on film and religion and is specialised in methods for deepening conversations about film. He is a board member of the Film Talk Foundation and because of this he is involved with several film festivals in The Netherlands.

Articles

The Importance of Supporting Young Filmmakers
Joël Friso, member of the Ecumenical Jury in Oberhausen 2022 and Board Member of INTERFILM, writes about his experience at the festival.
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Brand New Film Award in The Netherlands: World Cinema Exchange Award
The festival World Cinema Amsterdam has added a brand new award this year: the World Cinema Exchange Award. The award is made possible by INTERFILM member Het Filmgesprek.
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Connecting Cottbus
Joël Friso registers significant moments at the 27th Festival of East European Cinema in Cottbus 2017.
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Festivals

Current issues

Venice 2026 (8)
Peter Paul Huth comments favourably on the 2026 Venice Film Festival awards ceremony, highlighting in particular the Golden Lion winner, “Kvinde Ukendt” (Unknown Woman) by May el-Toukhy, and “Un bon petit soldat” by Stéphane Brizé, which won the award for Best Screenplay and the INTERFILM Jury Prize.
Venice 2026 (7)
Alex Gibney’s documentary *Musk* portrays a ‘hero of capitalism’, whilst Ilya Khrzhanovsky’s *DAU* evokes the victims of Stalinism.

Events

15.02.2026
Silent Green, Berlin
Ecumenical Reception at the Berlinale 2026
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16.02.2025
Haus der EKD, Charlottenstraße 53/54, 10117 Berlin
Ecumenical Reception at the Berlinale
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All events

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