Top Euro Film Professionals Demand Answers Over Unexplained Firing Of Flanders Image Head Christian De Schutter

deadline.com:

Some 100 top European film professionals have published an open letter expressing their shock and concern over the unexplained, sudden firing of long-time Flanders Image boss Christian De Schutter.

The signatories include producer Mike Goodridge at Good Chaos, International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) co-founder and head of industry Adriek van Nieuwenhuyzen, German Films MD Simone Baumann, Tribeca Artistic Director Frédéric Boyer, Haut et Court Head Of Acquisitions Laure Calliol; Goodfellas Head Of Sales Eva Diederix and Oscar-nominated director Stijn Coninx. “We the undersigned are professionals in the film industry who are concerned about the termination of employment of our well respected and long-time colleague, Christian De Schutter, from Flanders Image,” they wrote.

The signatories said they had been shocked by both the termination and the manner in which it had been handled by Koen Van Bockstal, CEO of parent body Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF). “We all learned of De Schutter’s dismissal from the organization he has served for 20+ years in an impersonal mass email sent from Van Bockstal on December 20, 2023,” read the letter. “Van Bockstal then turned on his out of office messages for the holidays and as of the morning of Jan 12 has not replied to any inquiries about why De Schutter has been dismissed.” “There has been no explanation whatsoever for this sudden and drastic move.

Of course, any manager is responsible for his team and decisions about staffing. But the way this specific exit has been decided is raising many concerns and questions, as there was no explanation provided as to why a senior and very experienced expert in promotion and marketing of European films was released from his