Originally posted on Caribisch Netwerk on September 27th, 2025 – For full article including pictues , click this link to article
Curaçaoan filmmaker Hester Jonkhout wins major award in Toronto: “The award is the icing on the cake.”
September 27, 2025 | Kim Hendriksen
When Hester Jonkhout (53) received an email from the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival (CTFF) in early September, she had to read it twice. Her documentary, Felix de Rooy: Nomade in Niemandsland, had been named ‘Best Feature Documentary’. “I didn’t expect it at all,” she says. “I hadn’t even promoted the screening because I was in the middle of editing. And then suddenly I got the message that the film had won. I was thrilled and surprised.”
Because she couldn’t be there in Toronto, Canada, her sister accepted the award. “That was really special. She told me how enthusiastic the audience was and how many questions there were afterward. It made me feel like I was actually there.”
From migrant broadcaster to film academy.
Jonkhout grew up in Curaçao, studied in the Netherlands, and began her career at a local migrant broadcaster. She then attended the Film Academy in Amsterdam, graduating as a camera operator in 2000. She worked in Suriname for twelve years and returned to Curaçao in 2012.
“My intention was always to become a documentary filmmaker,” she explains. “But I’m also someone who likes to ‘go with the flow.’ I enjoy camerawork and editing, and that filled my life for a long time. Making your own film takes a lot of energy and time. Felix de Rooy: Nomade in Niemandsland is actually my first major documentary that I made entirely by myself.”
Collaborations that shaped her.
A key influence in her development was her long-standing collaboration with Dutch director Mirjam Marks. “We did so much together, in Suriname, China, India, Brazil, and here in Curaçao. She as director and I as camerawoman or editor. We exchanged ideas endlessly. That was very important in my development as a creator.”
This collaboration offered not only experience but also practical support. “That support system has been very important to me, because I’m here and not in the Netherlands, part of that subsidy system. Through Marks, I connected with producer Tangerine Tree and editor Sander Cijsouw in the Netherlands. That made it possible to still have that connection.”
First international award.
The film has already received a lot of positive feedback, but this is the first international award. “That’s what makes it special. An award like this makes people curious: they want to see the film, share it, and discuss it. That’s ultimately what you want as a filmmaker: for your story to be seen.”
For Jonkhout, the recognition is more than just an award. “Making a successful film boosts my self-confidence. The award is the icing on the cake. I now know: I can do this. And I’ve noticed that the opportunities for Caribbean filmmakers to secure funding have increased in recent years. This award helps with that. It opens doors.”
Importance of Caribbean Stories:
According to Jonkhout, it’s crucial that Caribbean stories gain international visibility. “I grew up with American films from the video store, but that’s a completely different reality. It’s so valuable when you see films that resonate with your own world. You recognize the places, the people, the culture. That’s important for ourselves, but also for the outside world.”
She sees that new technology and affordable equipment make it easier for young people to tell their own stories. “That’s encouraging. There’s so much knowledge and material available. It’s wonderful that our stories not only stay in the Caribbean but also resonate globally.”
Milestone and future
For Jonkhout, the award in Toronto feels like a milestone. “My life has otherwise remained the same, but I have more confidence to take on new projects. I don’t know yet whether that will be a second documentary, or perhaps a feature film, but I’ll take this experience with me.”
Importance of Caribbean Stories:
According to Jonkhout, it’s crucial that Caribbean stories gain international visibility. “I grew up with American films from the video store, but that’s a completely different reality. It’s so valuable when you see films that resonate with your own world. You recognize the places, the people, the culture. That’s important for ourselves, but also for the outside world.”
She sees that new technology and affordable equipment make it easier for young people to tell their own stories. “That’s encouraging. There’s so much knowledge and material available. It’s wonderful that our stories not only stay in the Caribbean but also resonate globally.”
Milestone and future
For Jonkhout, the award in Toronto feels like a milestone. “My life has otherwise remained the same, but I have more confidence to take on new projects. I don’t know yet whether that will be a second documentary, or perhaps a feature film, but I’ll take this experience with me.”
