Camiel Schouwenaar’s debut feature, a coming-of-age flick titled Bigman, is now ready for release. The director, an alumnus of the Netherlands Film Academy, previously worked on several TV series, such as The Westside Four, Am Mosleh, House Tree Pet, Puppety and Crazy Chicken. He received the Prix Jeunesse UNESCO Award, two Cinekid awards and a Golden Calf for his animated short Polska Warrior.

The script for Bigman, penned by the helmer in tandem with Job Tichelman, is loosely based on the latter’s own youth. In detail, it follows best friends Dylan (Maik Cillekens) and Youssef (Anouar Kasmi), as they dream of becoming professional football players. When Dylan is paralysed following an accident, he has to come to terms with his new life. His dad – and former coach – wants him to accept his disability and move on, but Dylan is determined to play football again.

The other cast members are Maartje van de Wetering, Danilo Lopez, Kai Hofstra, Mohamed Tijani, Dylan Monteiro, Justin Breedeveld, Soufiane Touzani, Kailani Busker, Walid Benmbarek, Tarek Terence Scheurs, Jonathan Huisman, Bram van der Heijden, Eva Wennekers, Naomi van der Linden, Ki-Yara Lantveld, Norah de Haan, Ali Ben Horsting and Indira Flipse. Moreover, the technical crew includes DoP Marc de Meijer, editor Patrick Schonewille, production designer Donja de Graaf, and costume supervisors Els Schut and Heleen Heintjes.

Bigman is being produced by Reinier Selen and Rinskje Raap from Rinkel Film (Netherlands), and Marcel Lenz and Guido Schwab from Östlicht Filmproduktion (Germany). The project, shot in and around Rotterdam, received backing from Eurimages, Netflix, KIKA, TSK and MDM. Germany’s M-Appeal is in charge of its world sales. The feature will be released in the Netherlands on 21 July 2022.